Epiphany of the Lord January 5, 2020
The Epiphany of the Lord
On entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11
“Epiphany” means manifestation. And the “Epiphany of the Lord” is Jesus’ manifestation not only to these three Magi from the East, but it’s also a symbolic but real manifestation of the Christ to the whole world. These Magi, traveling from a foreign and non-Jewish nation, reveal that Jesus came for all people and all are called to adore Him.
These Magi were “wise men” who studied the stars and were aware of the Jewish belief that a Messiah was coming. They would have been versed in much of the wisdom of the day and would have been intrigued by the Jewish belief in the Messiah.
God used what they were familiar with to call them to adore the Christ. He used a star. They understood the stars and when they saw this new and unique star over Bethlehem they realized that something special was happening. So the first lesson we take from this for our own lives is that God will use what is familiar to us to call us to Himself. Look for the “star” that God is using to call you. It’s closer than you may think.
A second thing to note is that the Magi fell prostrate before the Christ Child. They laid their lives down before Him in complete surrender and adoration. They set a perfect example for us. If these astrologers from a foreign land could come and adore Christ in such a profound way, we must do the same. Perhaps you could try literally lying down prostrate in prayer this day, in imitation of the Magi, or at least do so in your heart through prayer. Adore Him with a complete surrender of your life.
Lastly, the Magi bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These three gifts, presented to our Lord, show that they acknowledged this Child as the Divine King who would die to save us from sin. Gold is for a King, frankincense is a burnt offering to God, and myrrh is used for one who would die. Thus, their adoration is grounded in the truths of who this Child is. If we are to adore Christ properly, we must also honor Him in this threefold way.
Reflect, today, upon these Magi and see them as a symbol of what you are called to do. You are called from the foreign place of this world to seek out the Messiah. What is God using to call you to Himself? When you discover Him, do not hesitate to acknowledge the full truth of who He is, lying prostrate before Him in complete and humble submission.
PASTORAL COUNCIL
The Pastoral Council meets this Tuesday, January 7th in the Anchorage at 6:30 pm.
All members are encouraged to attend.
MOTHER MARY LANGE AWARDS
The 23rd Annual Mother Mary Lange Awards Banquet will be held on Friday, February 14, 2020 at 7:00 pm at Martin’s West on Dogwood Rd. The event is sponsored by the Office of Black Catholics to honor members of our Black Catholic parishes for leadership, service and youth activity. The church office is taking orders now for tickets for the St. Ann’s tables at the banquet. Tickets are $60 each, payable at the time tickets are picked up.
CORE TEAM MEETING
The next meeting for the Pastorate Core Team will be this Saturday, January 11, 2020 at The Province Center for the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur 305 Cable Street, Baltimore, MD 21210, 10 am – 1 pm. Breakfast will be provided beginning at 9:30 am.
ADULT BIBLE STUDY/SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday School will resume next Sunday, January 12th. Sunday School is held next door in the Anchorage prior to Mass at 9:30 am. Families are invited to bring your young ones for a fun-filled and spiritual encounter with scripture, suitable for the children.
Adult Bible Study also resumes today after Mass, also in the Anchorage. We invite you to grow in faith with us in the New Year through weekly Bible Study!
PRAYER WALK
Bishop Madden’s next Prayer Walk is scheduled for Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 20, at St. Bernardine, beginning at noon. We will gather in the church.
Please note that this walk will be during the day at a different time than usual because of the national holiday. There will be a lite meal and fellowship after the walk in Harcum Hall.
Parish phone number: 410-362-8664. Parish address: 3812 Edmondson Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21229.
CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS
If you would like to receive an end-of-year contribution statement for tax purposes, please contact the church office (410-235-8169).
2019 CALENDARS
Thanks to March Funeral Homes for their generous donation of 2020 calendars? This year’s theme is “The Rise of the Xennials” and shares inspirational success stories of Generation Xers and Millennials. There are still a few more calendars remaining. Please take one.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please also continue to pray for all of our sick and homebound, especially Florence Barber, Kathleen Beckhardt, Roberta Louise Brown, James Butts, Sandra Canty, Joshua Cousin, Elaine Edmonds, Gregory Epps, John Frederick, Pat Haley, Rita Hardy, Eric & Harriette Lowery, Tina Lutz, Tom Lutz, Nelson Outlaw, Penny Palmer, Larry Sewell, Bernadette Wallace, Rita Watkins and Vincent Watkins and ask that God grant them strength, comfort and healing.
JANUARY
Sun., Jan.5 The Epiphany of the Lord 11 am Mass, St. Ann’s
No Sunday School
No Adult Bible Study
Tues., Jan.7 Pastoral Council Meeting Anchorage, 6:30 pm
Thurs., Jan.9 Evening Mass, 7pm Bible Study after Mass, Anchorage Chapel
Sat., Jan.11 Core Team Meeting 10 am – 1 pm
Province Center for the Sisters
of Notre Dame de Namur 305 Cable Street
Sun., Jan.12 The Baptism of the Lord 11 am Mass, St. Ann’s
Sunday School 9:30am Anchorage, 2nd floor youth room
Adult Bible Study, after Mass Anchorage Dining Room
Tues., Jan.14 Sista Circle Meeting Anchorage, 6 pm
Thurs., Jan.16 Evening Mass, 7pm
Bible Study after Mass, Anchorage Chapel
Sun., Jan.19 2nd Sunday In Ordinary Time 11 am Mass
Sunday School, 9:30 am Anchorage, 2nd floor youth room
Adult Bible Study, after Mass Anchorage Dining Room
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY
1st Reading Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
2nd Reading Acts 10:34-38
Gospel Matthew 3:13-17