discover the Gospel of the mass of Sunday January 5, 2025
Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew
Epiphany of the Lord – Year C:
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the time of King Herod the Great. Now, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the born king of the Jews?” We saw his star in the east and came to worship him. » When King Herod heard this, he was shocked, and all Jerusalem with him. He called together all the high priests and scribes of the people to ask them where Christ was to be born. They answered him: “In Bethlehem in Judea, for this is what is written by the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are certainly not the least among the rulers of Judah, for from you will come a leader, who will be the shepherd of my people Israel. » Then Herod summoned the wise men in secret to have them specify the date on which the star had appeared; then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying to them: “Go and find out precisely about the child. And when you have found him, come and tell me so that I too can prostrate myself before him. » After hearing the king, they left. And behold, the star which they had seen in the east went before them, until it came to rest above the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great joy. They entered the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and falling at his feet, they prostrated themselves before him. They opened their boxes, and offered him their gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. But, warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Chapter 2, verses 1 to 12.
Other readings: Book of the prophet Isaiah (chapter 60, verses 1 to 6); Psalm 71 (72); Letter from Saint Paul the Apostle to the Christians of Ephesus (chapter 3, verses 2 to 3a and 5 to 6).
Poor among the poor
Christine Langmember of the Christian Community of the Notre-Dame-des-Anges chapel (Paris):
What if, for once, we didn’t talk about the tyrant? We know only too well the reputation of Herod, and the crimes he was ready to commit to maintain his power. The rest of the Gospel of Matthew gives us the terrible story.
We are invited here rather to marvel, to welcome the radical novelty announced by this birth. Jesus was born poor among the poor, in a country placed under the yoke of an occupying army, with all that that implies of suffering. At the very heart of this darkness experienced by the people, God emerges and creates something new. With this little man, God reminds us that he never abandons us. God’s promise, and today’s psalm tells us, is justice for all, starting with the poorest. When God finds a place in us, joy can fill our hearts, and our lives are renewed.
So, by offering him, like the Magi, the best we have, we can in turn become, whatever our situation, bearers of hope, witnesses to salvation.
