We have seen his star in the East. Sunday Reflections, The Epiphany

Adoration of the Magi (Bern)

Blessed Fra Angelico [Web Gallery of Art]

Where the Epiphany is celebrated this year on its proper date, Monday 6 January, it is a holyday of obligation. This applies in England & Wales and in Ireland. In countries where the Epiphany is not a holyday of obligation the feast is celebrated on Sunday 5 January. These countries include Philippines, Scotland and the USA.

Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, Ireland)

Readings (English Standard Version, Catholic Edition: England & Wales)  

Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) 

Gospel Matthew 2:1-12 (New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition, Canada)  

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

“And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
    who is to shepherd my people Israel.”’

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

The Adoration of the Magi

Fray Nicolás Borrás [Web Gallery of Art]

While based in Britain for two years I was able to spend Christmas with my brother and his family in Dublin, a short flight from England, in 2000 and 2001. During the holiday in 2001 I saw a documentary on RTÉ, Ireland's national broadcasting service, about Filipino nurses in Ireland. These began to arrive around 1999, initially at the invitation of the Irish government to work in government hospitals. Very quickly there was an 'invasion' of Filipino nurses and carers, now to be found in hospitals and nursing homes in every part of the country. 

One of the nurses interviewed told that many Filipinos, knowing that the Irish celebrate Christmas on the 25th, unlike the Philippines where the culmination of the feast is on the night of the 24th, offered to work on Christmas Day so that their Irish companions could be with their families. This also helped to dull the pain of being away from their own families.

I was moved to tears at the testimony of one nurse, from Mindanao as I recall, speaking about her job and her first Christmas in Ireland in 2000. She spoke very highly of her employers, of her working conditions and of her accommodation, which she contrasted with that of the Holy Family on the first Christmas night. She spoke of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in this situation as if they were her next door neighbours or members of her own family, as in a very deep sense they are. 

Here was a young woman from the East powerfully proclaiming, without being aware of it, that the Word became flesh and lived among us. The fact that she wasn't aware of it, that she was speaking about her 'next door neighbours', made her proclamation of faith all the more powerful. She would have known many in her own place, and very likely knew from her own experience, something of what Joseph and Mary went through in Bethlehem. Her faith in the Word who became flesh and lived among us wasn't something in her head but part of her very being.

For much of the last century thousands of Catholic priests, religious Sisters and Brothers left Europe and North America to preach and live the Gospel in the nations of Africa, Asia and South America. Some of the countries and regions from which they left, eg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, Quebec, have to a great extent lost or even rejected the Catholic Christian faith. The Jewish people had, in faith, awaited the coming of the Messiah for many centuries. But when He came it was uneducated shepherds who first recognised him and later Simeon and Anna, two devout and elderly Jews who spent lengthy periods in prayer in the Temple.

Today's feast highlights wise men from the east, not 'believers' in the Jewish sense, led by God's special grace to Bethlehem to bring gifts in response to that grace, explaining, We . . . have come to pay him homage. They reveal to us that God calls people from every part of the world to do the same and to bring others with them.

Will nurses from the Philippines and from Kerala in India, migrants from Korea and Vietnam, from the east, bring the gift of faith in Jesus Christ once again to the many people in Western Europe and North America who no longer know him in any real sense? Will they by the lives they lead as working immigrants gently invite those in the West who have lost the precious gift of our Catholic Christian faith to once again come to pay him homage?

St Peter's Basilica, Epiphany 2022

Antiphona ad Communionem  Communion Antiphon Cf Matthew 2:2

Vidimus stellam eius in Oriente,

et venimus cum muneribus adorare Dominum.

We have seen his star in the East,

and have come with gifts to adore the Lord.

Traditional Latin Mass

The Epiphany of the Lord

Celebrated 6 January everywhere

The Complete Mass in Latin and English is here. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 01-06-2025 if necessary).

Lesson: Isaiah 60:1-6. Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12.

Bethlehem of Noblest Cities

‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel' (Matthew 2:6; Gospel).

'There were three wise men from afar directed by a glorious star.' Sunday Reflections, The Epiphany

 

Adoration of the Magi

Blessed Fra Angelico [Web Gallery of Art]

In most countries where English is widely used The Epiphany is celebrated on this Sunday, 7 January 2024. However, in Ireland, where it is a holy day of obligation, the feast is observed on its traditional date, 6 January, Saturday.

Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland)

Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)

Gospel Matthew 2:1-12 (English Standard Version Anglicised: India)

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Léachtaí i nGaeilge

Adoration of the Magi

Murillo [Web Gallery of Art]

I have used the story below quite a few times for the feast of the Epiphany. It is one that continues to move me, probably for two reasons. One is that I spent most of my life as a priest in the Philippines. The other is that the nurse from the Philippines proclaiming the Gospel was totally unaware that she was doing so - as are so many 'ordinary' Catholics and other Christians.

While based in Britain from 2000 till 2002 I was able to spend Christmas with my brother and his family in Dublin, a short flight from England, in 2000 and 2001. During the holiday in 2001 I saw a documentary on RTÉ, Ireland's national broadcasting service, about Filipino nurses in Ireland. These began to arrive in 1999 as I recall, initially at the invitation of the Irish government to work in government hospitals. Very quickly large numbers of Filipino nurses and carers came to Ireland and are now in hospitals and nursing homes in every part of the country.  For many Irish people when they hear the Philippines mentioned what first comes to their mind is nurses.

One of the nurses interviewed told how many Filipinos offered to work on Christmas Day. They knew that in Ireland the family celebration of Christmas is on the 25th and so their Irish companions could be with their families. In the Philippines the culmination of the feast for families is on the night of the 24th after Mass. This also helped to dull their pain of being away from their own families.

I was moved to tears at the testimony of one nurse, from Mindanao as I recall, speaking about her job and her first Christmas in Ireland. She spoke very highly of her employers, of her working conditions and of her accommodation, which she contrasted with that of the Holy Family on the first Christmas night. She spoke of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in their situation as if they were members of her own family, as in a very deep sense they are, and as we are of the Holy Family.

Here was a young woman from the East powerfully proclaiming, without being aware of it, that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The fact that she wasn't aware of it, that she was speaking about her 'next door neighbours', made her proclamation of faith all the more powerful. She would have known many in her own place, and very likely knew from her own experience, something of what Joseph and Mary went through in Bethlehem. Her faith in the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us wasn't something in her head but part of her very being.

For much of the last century thousands of Catholic priests, religious Sisters and Brothers left Europe and North America to preach and live the Gospel in the nations of Africa, Asia and South America. Some of the countries and regions from which they left, eg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, Quebec, have to a great extent lost or even rejected the Catholic Christian faith. The Jewish people had, in faith, awaited the coming of the Messiah for many centuries. But when He came it was uneducated shepherds who first recognised him and later Simeon and Anna, two devout and elderly Jews who spent lengthy periods in prayer in the Temple.

Today's feast highlights wise men from the east, not 'believers' in the Jewish sense, led by God's special grace to Bethlehem to bring gifts in response to that grace, explaining, We . . . have come to worship him. They reveal to us that God calls people from every part of the world to do the same and to bring others with them.

Will nurses from the Philippines and from Kerala in India, migrants from Korea and Vietnam, from the east, bring the gift of faith in Jesus Christ once again to the many people in Western Europe and North America who no longer know him in any real sense? Will they by the lives they lead as working immigrants gently invite those in the West who have lost the precious gift of our Catholic Christian faith to once again come to worship him?

Vidimus stellam

St Peter's Basilica, Rome, Epiphany 2020

Antiphona ad Communionem  Communion Antiphon Cf Matthew 2:2

Vidimus stellam eius in Oriente,

et venimus cum muneribus adorare Dominum.

We have seen his star in the East,

and have come with gifts to adore the Lord.

Traditional Latin Mass

The Epiphany of Our Lord

The complete Mass in Latin and English is here. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 01-06-2024 if necessary).

Lesson: Isaiah 60:1-6. Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12.  

The Enniscorthy Carol (The Wexford Carol)

Sung by Aileen Lambert in St Aidan's Cathedral, Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland.

In recent decades this very old Irish Christmas carol has become better known not only in Ireland but internationally. I included a different version last week.  The song tells the whole Christmas story from the birth of Jesus up to the visit of the Magi. I used a different version of the carol last week. Aileen Lambert's sings in a style characteristic of folk singing in Ireland.

'We have come with gifts to adore the Lord.' Sunday Reflections. The Epiphany

 

Adoration of the Magi (Bern)

Blessed Fra Angelico [Web Gallery of Art]

Where the Epiphany is celebrated this year on its proper date, Friday 6 January, it is a holyday of obligation. This applies in England & Wales and in Ireland. In these countries the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on Sunday 8 January this year, bringing the Christmas Season to a close, with the First Week of Ordinary Time beginning on Monday 9 January.

In countries where the celebration of the Epiphany is transferred to Sunday 8 January this year the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on Monday 9 January and Ordinary Time begins on Tuesday 9 January. These countries include Australia, Philippines, Scotland and the USA

Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa)

Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) 

Gospel Matthew 2:1-12 (New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition, Canada)  

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

“And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
    who is to shepherd my people Israel.”’

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

The Adoration of the Magi

Fray Nicolás Borrás [Web Gallery of Art]

While based in Britain for two years I was able to spend Christmas with my brother and his family in Dublin, a short flight from England, in 2000 and 2001. During the holiday in 2001 I saw a documentary on RTÉ, Ireland's national broadcasting service, about Filipino nurses in Ireland. These began to arrive around 1999, initially at the invitation of the Irish government to work in government hospitals. Very quickly there was an 'invasion' of Filipino nurses and carers, now to be found in hospitals and nursing homes in every part of the country. 

One of the nurses interviewed told how many Filipinos, knowing that the Irish celebrate Christmas on the 25th, unlike the Philippines where the culmination of the feast is on the night of the 24th, offered to work on Christmas Day so that their Irish companions could be with their families. This also helped to dull the pain of being away from their own families.

I was moved to tears at the testimony of one nurse, from Mindanao as I recall, speaking about her job and her first Christmas in Ireland in 2000. She spoke very highly of her employers, of her working conditions and of her accommodation, which she contrasted with that of the Holy Family on the first Christmas night. She spoke of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in this situation as if they were members of her own family, as in a very deep sense they are, or we of their family.

Here was a young woman from the East powerfully proclaiming, without being aware of it, that the Word became flesh and lived among us. The fact that she wasn't aware of it, that she was speaking about her 'next door neighbours', made her proclamation of faith all the more powerful. She would have known many in her own place, and very likely knew from her own experience, something of what Joseph and Mary went through in Bethlehem. Her faith in the Word who became flesh and lived among us wasn't something in her head but part of her very being.

For much of the last century thousands of Catholic priests, religious Sisters and Brothers left Europe and North America to preach and live the Gospel in the nations of Africa, Asia and South America. Some of the countries and regions from which they left, eg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, Quebec, have to a great extent lost or even rejected the Catholic Christian faith. The Jewish people had, in faith, awaited the coming of the Messiah for many centuries. But when He came it was uneducated shepherds who first recognised him and later Simeon and Anna, two devout and elderly Jews who spent lengthy periods in prayer in the Temple.

Today's feast highlights wise men from the east, not 'believers' in the Jewish sense, led by God's special grace to Bethlehem to bring gifts in response to that grace, explaining, We . . . have come to pay him homage.They reveal to us that God calls people from every part of the world to do the same and to bring others with them.

Will nurses from the Philippines and from Kerala in India, migrants from Korea and Vietnam, from the east, bring the gift of faith in Jesus Christ once again to the many people in Western Europe and North America who no longer know him in any real sense? Will they by the lives they lead as working immigrants gently invite those in the West who have lost the precious gift of our Catholic Christian faith to once again come to pay him homage?

St Peter's Basilica, Epiphany 2022

Antiphona ad Communionem  Communion Antiphon Cf Matthew 2:2

Vidimus stellam eius in Oriente,

et venimus cum muneribus adorare Dominum.

We have seen his star in the East,

and have come with gifts to adore the Lord.

Traditional Latin Mass

The Epiphany of the Lord

Celebrated 6 January everywhere

The Complete Mass in Latin and English is here. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 1-6-2023 if necessary).

Lesson: Isaiah 60:1-6. Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12.

Bethlehem of Noblest Cities / Hymn for the Epiphany

'Vidimus stellam - We have seen his star.' Sunday Reflections, The Epiphany, 2021

 

Adoration of the Magi

Blessed Fra Angelico [Web Gallery of Art]

In most countries where English is widely used The Epiphany is celebrated on this Sunday, 3 January 2021. However, in Ireland, where it is a holy day of obligation, the feast is observed on its traditional date, 6 January, Wednesday.

Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland)

Readings(New American Bible: Philippines, USA)

Gospel Matthew 2:1-12 (English Standard Version Anglicised: India)

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Léachtaí i nGaeilge

Matthew 2:1-12 in Filipino Sign Language

I have used the story below quite a few times for the feast of the Epiphany. It is one that continues to move me, probably for two reasons. One is that I spent most of my adult life in the Philippines. The other is that the nurse from the Philippines proclaiming the Gospel was totally unaware that she was doing so - as are so many 'ordinary' Catholics and other Christians.

While based in Britain from 2000 till 2002 I was able to spend Christmas with my brother and his family in Dublin, a short flight from England, in 2000 and 2001. During the holiday in 2001 I saw a documentary on RTÉ, Ireland's national broadcasting service, about Filipino nurses in Ireland. These began to arrive in 2000, initially at the invitation of the Irish government to work in government hospitals. Very quickly there was an 'invasion' of Filipino nurses and carers, now to be found in hospitals and nursing homes in every part of the country. 

One of the nurses interviewed told how many Filipinos, knowing that the Irish celebrate Christmas on the 25th, unlike the Philippines where the culmination of the feast is on the night of the 24th, offered to work on Christmas Day so that their Irish companions could be with their families. This also helped to dull the pain of being away from their own families.

I was moved to tears at the testimony of one nurse, from Mindanao as I recall, speaking about her job and her first Christmas in Ireland in 2000. She spoke very highly of her employers, of her working conditions and of her accommodation, which she contrasted with that of the Holy Family on the first Christmas night. She spoke of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in this situation as if they were members of her own family, as in a very deep sense they are, or we of their family.

Here was a young woman from the East powerfully proclaiming, without being aware of it, that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The fact that she wasn't aware of it, that she was speaking about her 'next door neighbours', made her proclamation of faith all the more powerful. She would have known many in her own place, and very likely knew from her own experience, something of what Joseph and Mary went through in Bethlehem. Her faith in the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us wasn't something in her head but part of her very being.

For much of the last century thousands of Catholic priests, religious Sisters and Brothers left Europe and North America to preach and live the Gospel in the nations of Africa, Asia and South America. Some of the countries and regions from which they left, eg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, Quebec, have to a great extent lost or even rejected the Catholic Christian faith. The Jewish people had, in faith, awaited the coming of the Messiah for many centuries. But when He came it was uneducated shepherds who first recognised him and later Simeon and Anna, two devout and elderly Jews who spent lengthy periods in prayer in the Temple.

Today's feast highlights wise men from the east, not 'believers' in the Jewish sense, led by God's special grace to Bethlehem to bring gifts in response to that grace, explaining, We . . . have come to worship him.They reveal to us that God calls people from every part of the world to do the same and to bring others with them.

Will nurses from the Philippines and from Kerala in India, migrants from Korea and Vietnam, from the east, bring the gift of faith in Jesus Christ once again to the many people in Western Europe and North America who no longer know him in any real sense? Will they by the lives they lead as working immigrants gently invite those in the West who have lost the precious gift of our Catholic Christian faith to once again come to worship him?

Vidimus stellam

St Peter's Basilica, Rome, Epiphany 2020

Antiphona ad Communionem  Communion Antiphon Cf Matthew 2:2

Vidimus stellam eius in Oriente,

et venimus cum muneribus adorare Dominum.

We have seen his star in the East,

and have come with gifts to adore the Lord.

Extraordinary Form of the Mass

Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) 

The Epiphany of Our Lord.

The complete Mass in Latin and English is here. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 1-6-2021 if necessary).

Lesson: Isaiah 60:1-6. Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12.  

Authentic Beauty

Authentic beauty, however, unlocks the yearning of the human heart, the profound desire to know, to love, to go towards the Other, to reach for the Beyond.

Pope Benedict XVI meeting with artists in the Sistine Chapel, 21 November 2009.

The Enniscorthy Carol (The Wexford Carol)

Sung by Aileen Lambert in St Aidan's Cathedral, Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland.

In recent years this very old Irish Christmas carol has become better known not only in Ireland but internationally.