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Men of Epiphany will be meeting this Saturday, January 6th, 6:30 a.m. in the Hearth room. If you can make it, this study is a marvelous preparation for each week's Mass readings.

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Offering Ourselves to the Lord, Our Gift to Him

Sunday, January 7, 2007
The Epiphany of the Lord
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-2,7-8,10-13
Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6
Matthew 2:1-12

Click here for readings  (For quick review only; bring your Bible)

Without a doubt, the Magi were big spenders. The gifts they gave to Jesus were about the costliest items you could find in the ancient world. Not only that, they were exactly suited to their recipient: gold, a precious metal that was meant for royalty; frankincense, an oil used for worship; and myrrh, a perfume used in anointing the departed, pointing toward Jesus’ passion and death.

But what about us? What can we give to Jesus today and in the year ahead? Actually, we can offer him something much more valuable than the Magi did—ourselves! He came to earth for us. He lived, died, and rose from the dead for us. The “pearl of great price” that Jesus gave everything for was us! How can we give him anything less than our lives?

Unfortunately, many of us have a hard time seeing how valuable we are to the Lord. Instead of a shiny, “gift-wrapped” present, we may see ourselves as a dull, brown-paper package full of weakness and sin. But God is an expert at recycling! He doesn’t waste anything; even our flaws and our greatest failures can be the raw material he uses to teach us, to form us, and to accomplish his plans in us. As St. Paul wrote with such confidence, “All things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Let’s not discount the treasure we have in these earthen vessels. We can give the Lord the gold of our talents and gifts, the frankincense of our prayer and worship, and even the myrrh of our sufferings and heartaches. We can release our pain to him, let him take it to his cross, and give us the healing we most need. The key is that we give control of our lives to him. As we do, we will be changed. We will become a gift to our brothers and sisters, and we will change their lives too!

“Lord, let this coming year be my gift to you! Take everything I have, and use it to build your kingdom on this earth!”

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1.    The first reading should fill us with hope as we contemplate what God has accomplished in the coming of Jesus. Through his coming: “the glory of the Lord shines upon you,” “your sons (and daughters) come from afar,” and “you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow” (Isaiah 60:1,4,5). In what ways does your faith in Jesus fill you with hope? Share some ways that you can increase your faith in him during 2007.

2.    The Responsorial Psalm speaks of a king endowed by God to “govern your people with justice,” “rescue the poor when he cries out,” “have pity for the lowly and the poor,” and “the lives of the poor he shall save” (Psalm 72: 2,12,13). In what ways has Jesus fulfilled these words? In 2007, what are some new steps you, and the men in your group, can take to share in this work of Jesus?

3.    In the second reading, we hear the wonderful revelation that the Gentiles are now coheirs with the Jewish people in all the promises fulfilled in Jesus Christ. How can we as Christian men be a better witness of Christ’s love to our Jewish brothers and sisters? Why not spend a few minutes now to pray for Jewish people whom you know, and for all the Jewish people, that they may one day come to know Jesus as their Messiah and Lord.

4.    In the Gospel, we are told that when the magi inquired of the whereabouts of the “newborn king of the Jews,” King Herod was “greatly troubled and all Jerusalem with him” (Matthew 2: 2,3). Why do you think King Herod was so troubled by this news? The magi, on the other hand, were overjoyed when they found Jesus, and “did him homage” (2:11). Why do you think the magi’s reaction was so different than Herod’s? What is your reaction when you reflect on these events?

5. The meditation asks this question of us: “What can we give to Jesus today and in the year ahead?” The meditation goes on to provide an answer: “Actually, we can offer him something much more valuable than the Magi did—ourselves! He came to earth for us. He lived, died, and rose from the dead for us. The “pearl of great price” that Jesus gave everything for was us! How can we give him anything less than our lives?” What are some ways that you, and the men in your group, can give your lives more deeply to Jesus in 2007? Are you willing to be accountable to one another for them?

Come Holy Spirit!  ~  Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and en kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, you taught the hearts of your faithful by sending them the light of your Holy Spirit. In that same spirit give us your right judgment and the joy of your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer to St. Joseph  ~  Glorious St. Joseph, guide and protector of the Holy Family, we ask that you obtain for us from your son, Jesus, the strength and wisdom to lead our families to their Father in heaven. Most Chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we imitate your obedience to the will of God and be ever mindful of the vocation to which we have been called. Amen