The Epiphany of the Lord. -Year C - Sunday, 5 January 2025 (EPISODE: 512)

The Epiphany of the Lord. -Year C - Sunday, 5 January 2025 (EPISODE: 512)

(Image: Shutterstock licensed image ID: 2075919649- Christmas Nativity scene. Hand drawn background illustration. Vector EPS10.Contributor = lukbar))

Readings for The Epiphany of the Lord.- Year C
FIRST READING: Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13. "Lord, every nation on earth will adore you."
SECOND READING: Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Matthew 2:2). Alleluia, alleluia! We have seen his star in the East; and have come to adore the Lord.
GOSPEL: Matthew 2:1-12

Image: Shutterstock licensed image ID: 2075919649- Christmas Nativity scene. Hand drawn background illustration. Vector EPS10.Contributor = lukbar
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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for The Epiphany of the Lord. Year C - Sunday, 5 January 2025 - by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-the-1/s-d14G12q7Aht  
(EPISODE: 512)
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Prologue: On this feast of the Epiphany, we celebrate that God's glory has been revealed to all the nations, and not just the chosen people of Israel. People from every corner of the earth, of every nation and race. Generations of people. God's revelation, God's invitation is for all people of all times and places.
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Saint Paul puts it so nicely:
"God had a secret plan, formed before all ages. And that plan is now revealed, and it is this; in Christ Jesus, the Gentiles, (people from other religious and cultural backgrounds and nations), are now CO-HEIRS with the Chosen people of Israel, members of one and the same body and sharers in the promise of God, through the proclamation of the good news…"

We are one big global human family!

What a treasure these wise men found lying in a manger.... a rare and perfect gift to the world....

The journey of the wise men to find the Holy family and particularly the saviour lying in a manger is our journey too. It is our journey of life as well. It is our religious pilgrimage through life. Our journey to conversion, and beyond, is the same.

There is a beautiful parable about an imaginary fourth wise man, Artaban. He was to go with the other three to search for the newborn king. Artaban had a pouch of precious gems as a gift for the baby king. On his way to join the other three, he stopped to help a needy person. The delay was just enough to cause him to miss the other wise men. He never did catch them; he kept helping people and giving away all his gems. Artaban ended up as a beggar in a faraway city called Jerusalem. One day he saw a criminal being marched off to be executed. He felt close to this man and was sad that he couldn't help him. As the criminal drew near, he turned to Artaban and said, "Be not sad, " you've been helping me all your life. How do I imagine Artaban felt when Jesus said this to him? (parable written by Henry Van Dyke).

"To help the needy is to help me." Matthew 25:40 (paraphrased)

Like Bethlehem, which, at first sight, seems slight and insignificant, and "lesser" – yet, here is where Jesus is born; humble, vulnerable, poor. So too, the poor and the forgotten may appear insignificant to some, but it is through them that the Lord's presence is revealed." (C) the first shall be last, the humble and the powerless have the power and glory of God shining from their hearts…. True greatness is in unmeasured love and service…..

That first Christmas; The Wise Men realised the meaning of this great mystery.. this irony,

and it changed everything. It changes everything for us too.
Come, let us worship!
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References:

Homily - Fr Paul W. Kelly

Mark Link SJ-  quoting Van Dyke, H. (2008) The story of the other wise man. Brewster, Mass: Paraclete Press.

Image: Shutterstock licensed image ID: 2075919649- Christmas Nativity scene. Hand drawn background illustration. Vector EPS10.Contributor = lukbar
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The Epiphany of the Lord. Year C -(Sunday, 5 January 2025) (EPISODE: 512 )
2. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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{{Shalom (peace)}} welcome everyone, we gather - To offer or praise, prayers and intercessions to our loving God On this The Epiphany of the Lord.

Our Gods love and mercy knows no bounds, and so let us recall our sins so as to worthily celebrate this Holy Sacrifice.
Lord Jesus, you were lifted up to draw all people to yourself: Lord, have mercy You shouldered the cross, to bear our suffering and sinfulness: Christ, have mercy You open for your people the way from death into life: Lord, have mercy
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
2. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
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Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13. "Lord, every nation on earth will adore you."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Matthew 2:2). ). Alleluia, alleluia! We have seen his star in the East; and have come to adore the Lord.
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PREFACE: Epiphany of the Lord
Eucharistic Prayer 2
(theme variation: theme 2 )

(post version: v2-long)

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{6. My heartfelt thanks to you, for your participation in this time of reflection, prayer and praise.}

2. Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to the weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by visting here:
https://surfersparadiseparish.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=85b9ddd594b242276d423bfe9&id=002282d9e0

Details relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:

"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly

Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)

Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)

"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers.

Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993). (Sydney Australia).

Sung "Mass in Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.

"Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - In memory of William John Kelly (1942-2017) - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

"Quiet Time." Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.

"Today I Arise" - For Trisha J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly.

Microphones: - Shure Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser. And (2024+) Rode Nt-1 + AI-1 Sound Mixer.

Editing equipment: -- MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software v10.49 (NCH Software).

NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 17.63 (NCH Software)

Sound Processing: iZotope RX 10 Audio Editor (Izotope Inc.)

Text transcription as per recorded podcast version is transcribed by TurboScribe.ai
{excellent and accurate transcription from voice to text}

[Production - KER - 2025]
May God bless and keep you.
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