Letters From Home

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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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. Las lecturas de este domingo, donde vemos estrellas que se alzan, luces es¬plendorosas y misterios revelados, nos presentan también el rostro del Niño que nació el día de Navidad.

En el Evangelio, Herodes pregunta a los jefes de los sumos sacerdotes y escribas dónde ha de nacer el Mesías. La respuesta que Mateo pone en sus labios dice mucho más, ya que combina dos promesas del Antiguo Testamento: una de ellas revela que el Mesías será descendiente de David (cfr. 2 S 5,2); la otra, predice la llegada de un “gobernador de Israel”, que “apacentará su rebaño” y cuya majestad alcanzará “hasta los confines de la tierra” (Mi 5, 1–3).

Esas promesas, referentes a un rey de Israel que gobierna las naciones, resuenan también en el Salmo de este domingo (que celebra al hijo de David, Salomón). Su reino, cantamos, alcanzará los confines de la tierra; y los reyes de la tierra le rendirán homenaje. Esa es la escena que presenta también la primera lectura, en la que los pueblos que vienen del este presentan oro e incienso al rey de Israel.

La peregrinación de los Magos que nos describe el Evangelio del domingo, marca el cumplimiento de las promesas de Dios. Éstos, probablemente astrólogos persas, siguen la estrella que, según predijo Balaam, se alzaría como un cetro sobre la casa de Jacob (cfr. Nm 24, 17).

Su viaje, cargados de oro y perfumes, evoca el que hicieron la reina de Sabá y los “reyes de la tierra” en pos de Salomón (cfr. 1 R 10, 2.25; 2 Cr 9,24). Es interesente observar que las únicas citas bíblicas donde se mencionan juntos el incienso y la mirra, se encuentran en el Cantar de los Cantares, un libro que refiere a Salomón (cfr. Ct 3,6; 4,6.14).

Alguien más grande que Salomón está aquí (cfr. Lc 11,31). Ha venido a revelar que todas las personas son coherederas de la familia real de Israel, como enseña la epístola de este domingo.

La manifestación de Cristo nos fuerza a tomar una decisión: ¿Seguiremos las señales que nos guían hacia Él, como lo hicieron los Magos? ¿O seremos como esos sacerdotes y escribas, que dejaron que las palabras de Dios se volvieran letras muertas entre pergaminos antiguos?

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

Today the child born on Christmas is revealed to be the long-awaited king of the Jews.

As the priests and scribes interpret the prophecies in today’s Gospel, He is the ruler expected from the line of King David, whose greatness is to reach to the ends of the earth (see Micah 5:1–3; 2 Samuel 5:2).

Jesus is found with His mother, as David’s son, Solomon, was enthroned alongside his Queen Mother (see 1 Kings 2:19). And the magi come to pay Him tribute, as once kings and queens came to Solomon (see 1 Kings 10:2,25).

His coming evokes promises that extend back to Israel’s beginnings.

Centuries before, an evil king seeking to destroy Moses and the Israelites had summoned Balaam, who came from the East with two servants. But Balaam refused to curse Israel, and instead prophesied that a star and royal staff would arise out of Israel and be exalted above all the nations (see Numbers 22:21; 23:7; 24:7, 17).

This is the star the three magi follow. And like Balaam, they too refuse to be tangled in an evil king’s scheme. Their pilgrimage is a sign—that the prophesies in today’s First Reading and Psalm are being fulfilled. They come from afar, guided by God’s light, bearing the wealth of nations, to praise Israel’s God.

We celebrate today our own entrance into the family of God, and the fulfillment of God’s plan that all nations be united with Israel as co-heirs to His Fatherly blessings, as Paul reveals in today’s Epistle.

We too must be guided by the root of David, the bright morning star (see Revelation 22:16), and the light of the world (see Isaiah 42:6; John 8:12).

As the magi adored Him in the manger, let us renew our vow to serve Him, placing our gifts—our intentions and talents—on the altar in this Eucharist. We must offer to Him our very lives in thanksgiving. No lesser gift will suffice for this newborn King.

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

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

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

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for 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 Sts. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen by Dr. Shane Owens.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God by Dr. Scott Hahn.

Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com