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

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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.

Continue at Bangor to Bobbio.

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