Letters From Home

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time by Ms. Joan Watson.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. John Bergsma.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. Shane Owens.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Baptism of the Lord by Dr. Scott Hahn.

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Readings:
Isaiah 60:1–6
Psalm 72:1–2, 7–8, 10–13
Ephesians 3:2–3, 5–6
Matthew 2:1–12

An “epiphany” is an appearance. In today’s readings, with their rising stars, splendorous lights, and mysteries revealed, the face of the child born on Christmas day appears.

Herod, in today’s Gospel, asks the chief priests and scribes where the Messiah is to be born. The answer Matthew puts on their lips says much more, combining two strands of Old Testament promise—one revealing the Messiah to be from the line of David (see 2 Samuel 2:5), the other predicting “a ruler of Israel” who will “shepherd his flock” and whose “greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth” (see Micah 5:1–3).

Those promises of Israel’s king ruling the nations resound also in today’s Psalm. The psalm celebrates David’s son, Solomon. His kingdom, we sing, will stretch “to the ends of the earth,” and the world’s kings will pay Him homage. That’s the scene too in today’s First Reading, as nations stream from the East, bearing “gold and frankincense” for Israel’s king.

The Magi’s pilgrimage in today’s Gospel marks the fulfillment of God’s promises. The Magi, probably Persian astrologers, are following the star that Balaam predicted would rise along with the ruler’s staff over the house of Jacob (see Numbers 24:17).

Laden with gold and spices, their journey evokes those made to Solomon by the Queen of Sheba and the “kings of the earth” (see 1 Kings 10:2, 25; 2 Chronicles 9:24). Interestingly, the only other places where frankincense and myrrh are mentioned together are in songs about Solomon (see Song of Songs 3:6, 4:6, 14).

One greater than Solomon is here (see Luke 11:31). He has come to reveal that all peoples are “co-heirs” of the royal family of Israel, as today’s Epistle teaches.

His manifestation forces us to choose: Will we follow the signs that lead to Him as the wise Magi did? Or will we be like those priests and the scribes who let God’s words of promise become dead letters on an ancient page?

Lecturas:
Isaías 60,1–6
Salmo 72,1–12.7–8.10–13
Efesios 3,2–3.5–6
Mateo 2,1–12

Una “epifanía” es una manifestación. En las lecturas de hoy, en donde se levantan estrellas, hay luz esplendorosa y se revelan misterios, se nos muestra el rostro del Niño nacido en Navidad.

En el Evangelio de hoy, Herodes pregunta a los sumos sacerdotes y escribas en dónde ha de nacer el Mesías. La respuesta que Mateo pone en sus labios dice mucho más, pues combina dos promesas del Antiguo Testamento: una que revela que el Mesías nacerá de David (cf. 2 S 5,2; 1 Cro 11.2); la otra que predice un “gobernador de Israel” que “pastoreará su rebaño”, cuya grandeza alcanzará “hasta los confines de la tierra” (cf. Mi 5,1-3).

Aquellas promesas sobre un rey de Israel que gobierna las naciones resuenan también en el salmo de hoy, que celebra a Salomón, el hijo de David. Su reino, cantamos, alcanzará “los confines de la tierra” y los reyes del mundo le rendirán homenaje. También vemos esa escena en la primera lectura, en donde hay naciones que vienen de oriente y traen “oro e incienso” al rey de Israel.

La peregrinación de los Magos que nos cuenta el Evangelio de hoy, marca el cumplimiento de las promesas de Dios. Estos sabios, quizás astrólogos persas, siguen la estrella que, según predijo Balaán se levantaría con un cetro sobre la casa de Jacob (cf. Nm 24,17).

Cargados con oro y especias, su viaje evoca los que la reina de Sabá y los “reyes de la tierra” hicieron en pos de Salomón (cf. 1 R 10,2.25; 2 Cr 9,24). Curiosamente, los únicos otros lugares de la Biblia donde se mencionan juntos el incienso y la mirra son cantos sobre Salomón (cf. Ct 3,6; 4,6.14)

Aquí hay uno mayor que Salomón (cf. Lc 11,31). Ha venido a revelar que todos los pueblos son “coherederos” de la familia real de Israel, como nos enseña la epístola de hoy.

La manifestación de Cristo nos fuerza a tomar una decisión: ¿Seguiremos los signos que nos guían a Él, como lo hicieron los magos sabios? ¿O seremos como esos sacerdotes y escribas, para quienes las promesas de Dios se volvieron palabras muertas escritas en una página antigua?

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Christmas Weekday by Mr. Clement Harrold.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Christmas Weekday by Dr. John Bergsma.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Memorial of St. John Neumann by Ms. Joan Watson.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton by Dr. John Bergsma.

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