THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

JANUARY 6, 2019

And behold, the star that they had

seen at its rising preceded them,

until it came and stopped over the

place where the child was.

It would appear that these three

made a living out of reading the

various signs they believed were

provided for them through nature

and other aspects of reality. The

star then became a reliable source

of information that guided them

to find a child and his parents.

Whether we are quite so trusting in signs is another matter

and yet the Lord, who "wishes us all to be saved and come

to the knowledge of the truth" makes it possible for us to

find this Child through a variety of "signs". All we need do

is take advantage of the various ways in which God entices

us to himself. We may, like the Magi, certainly start with

nature. The beauty and sometimes ferociousness of nature

can provide us with some information about the One who

placed all of these things among us. We can also look with-

in ourselves since some have referred to us all "mini uni-

verses". We may find that our consciousness and all that

that entails provides us with a certain source of information

that leads us to wonder about things outside ourselves, the

so called "bigger questions." All of these things have pro-

vided man with an endless source of reflection and consid-

eration of who and what we are and what is our meaning or

purpose. In light of this Christians believe that the Word,

that which is responsible for all that is, came to us in the

person of Jesus Christ. This little child is in fact the very

seed and future of all that is writes St. Irenaeus. The gospel

tells that the Magi, upon seeing the child prostrated them-

selves and offered him gifts. We too are brought to this

child through a variety of ways and means, our own "stars".

Parents, grandparents, teachers and our life experience itself

may have placed us before this wondrous child and now we

must bow and prostrate ourselves in submission to the Truth

and Author of Life. We open our hearts and place ourselves

as gifts before the Lord so that he may take them and do

with them as he wills, namely fulfill his mission from the

Father to give us life and give it in abundance. Through

prayer we believe that our days are filled with such guiding

stars, enough to fill a multitude of galaxies all representing

God's love for us to lead and direct us to his Son that we

might be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth. To

Him, be all glory and praise now and forever and ever.

AMEN

MASS READINGS

MONDAY: 1 JN 3:22-4:6, MT 4:12-17,23-25

TUESDAY: 1 JN 4:7-10, MK 6:34-44

WEDNESDAY: 1 JN 4:11-18, MK 6:45-52

THURSDAY: 1 JN 4:19-5:4, LK 4:14-22

FRIDAY: 1 JN 5:5-13, LK 5:12-16

SATURDAY: 1 JN 5:14-21, JN 3:22-30

NEXT SUNDAY: THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD – RDGS:

IS 42:1-4, 6-7, or IS 40:1-5, 9-11, ACTS 10:34-38 or TI 2:11-

14; 3:4-7, LK 15-16, 21-22

MASS INTENTIONS

MONDAY:FRED HARLESS

TUESDAY:ROBERT JONES

WEDNESDAY:JEFFERY DEERR

THURSDAY:ANITA ECKMAN

FRIDAY:POOR SOULS

VIGIL:ANITA ECKMAN

7:30:CHARLES & CATHERINE SPITZNAGLE

10:00:FRED HARLESS

NOON:FOR THE PARISH

MEMORIAL FLOWERS

All members of St. Ann’s parish, families-living & deceased:

(Hildegard & Lewis Owen, Patricia Wann, Donald & Norma Yantis).

(Burnell, Anna & Henry Totten, Robert Stump. Victor & Dorothy Rin-

gle). (Judy & Ed Buckles, Lawrence & Mary Johnston, Andy &Vera

Houston, Larry Johnson). (Randy, Mike Kirsch & Mickie Krebs). (Al

Stanley, Bob Andrews, Mary Walden & Helen Schneider). Norb Fitz-

Simons. Deceased members of Schlosser & Kanthack families. Bob

Griffin. John Scowden. (Mary McCorkhill & I.T. Stenbraker). Bob

Griffin. (Sr. Jane Walz & Vincent Walz). Thomas Hemmerick. Mar-

celina Rangel Hanas. Ferriter families.

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

JANUARY 6, 2019

LORD, EVERY NATION

ON EARTH WILL ADORE

YOU

1. We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar,

field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.

Refrain: O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright,

westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.

2. Born a King on Bethlehem's plain, gold I bring to crown him again,

King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign.

(Refrain) 3. Frankincense to offer have I;

incense owns a Deity nigh; prayer and praising, voices raising,

worshiping God on high. (Refrain)

4. Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom;

sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

(Refrain) 5. Glorious now behold him arise;

King and God and sacrifice: Alleluia, Alleluia,

sounds through the earth and skies. (Refrain)

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

JANUARY 6, 2019

Journey Of The Magi by T. S. Eliot

'A cold coming we had of it, Just the worst time of the year

For a journey, and such a journey: The ways deep and the weather sharp,

The very dead of winter.' And the camels galled, sore-footed,

refractory, Lying down in the melting snow. There were times we regretted

The summer palaces on slopes, the terraces,

And the silken girls bringing sherbet.

Then the camel men cursing and grumbling

And running away, and wanting their liquor and women,

And the night-fires going out, and the lack of shelters,

And the cities hostile and the towns unfriendly

And the villages dirty and charging high prices:

A hard time we had of it.At the end we pre-ferred to travel all

night, Sleeping in snatches,

With the voices singing in our ears, saying

That this was all folly.

Then at dawn we came down to a temperate valley,

Wet, below the snow line, smelling of vegetation;

With a running stream and a water-mill beating the darkness,

And three trees on the low sky, And an old white horse galloped in

away in the meadow. Then we came to a tavern with

vine-leaves over the lintel, Six hands at an open door dicing for

pieces of silver, And feet kicking the empty wine-skins. But there was no imformation, and so

we continued And arrived at evening, not a moment

too soon Finding the place; it was (you may say)

satisfactory.

All this was a long time ago, I

remember, And I would do it again, but set down

This set down This: were we led all that way for

Birth or Death? There was a Birth, certainly,

We had evidence and no doubt. I had seen birth and death,

But had thought they were different; this Birth was

Hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death.

We returned to our places, these Kingdoms,

But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation,

With an alien people clutching their gods.

I should be glad of another death.

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

JANUARY 6, 2019

FOOD FOR THOUGHT, MEDIATION ON THE EPIPHANY

Stage 1. CALL - The text says – When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, say-

ing, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” – Notice first the identity of these individuals. They

are called Magi, (μάγοι, (magoi) in Greek) and they are from the East.

Exactly what “Magi” are is debated. Perhaps they are wise men, perhaps they are ancient astronomers. We often think of them as Kings though the text does not call

them that. It also seems Herod would have been far more anxious had they been actual potentates from an Eastern Kingdom. In our imagination we often think of

them as Kings since Psalm 72, read in today’s Mass, speaks of “Kings” coming from the East bearing gifts of gold and frankincense. However, for the record, the text

in today’s gospel does not call them kings, but “magi.”

Yet, here is their key identity: they are Gentiles and they have been called. Up to this point in the Christmas story only Jews had found their way to Bethlehem. But

now the Gentiles come. This detail cannot be overlooked, for it is clear that the gospel is going to go out to all the world. St. Paul rejoices in this fact in today’s sec-ond reading as he says: that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel (Eph 3:6). Most

of us are not Jewish by ancestry, and hence we ought to rejoice for in the call of these Magi is prefigured our call.

And notice that God calls them through something in the natural world. In this case a star. God uses something in creation to call out to them. We do well to wonder

what is the star that God used to call us? Perhaps it was Scripture but more usually it is first, someone God has used to reach us, a parent, a family member, a friend, a

priest, religious sister, or devoted lay person. Who are the stars in your life by whom God called you? God can even use inanimate creation like he did for these Magi.

Perhaps it was a beautiful Church, a painting or a song. By someone or something God calls. He puts a star in our sky. These wise men, these Magi, follow the call of

God and begin their journey to Jesus.

Stage 2. CONSTANCY - Upon their arrival in Jerusalem the Magi find a rather confusing and perhaps discouraging situation. The reigning King, Herod, knows

nothing of the birth of this new King. It must have seemed probable that the newborn King would be related to the current King so his surprise may have confused

them. But Herod seems more than surprised, he seems threatened.

Even more puzzling, he calls religious leaders to further inform him of this King. They open the sacred writings and the Magi hear of a promised King. Ah so the

birth of this king has religious significance! How interesting! But, these religious leaders seem unenthusiastic of the newborn King and after giving the location of his birth seem to make no effort to follow the Magi. There is no rejoicing, no summoning of the people that a longed for king had finally been born. Not even further

inquiry!

So the wicked (Herod) are wakeful and the saints are sleepy. How odd this must have seemed to the Magi. Perhaps it occurred to them to suspend their search.

After all, the actual King knew nothing of this birth and those who did seemed little interested.

Ah, but praise the Lord they persevere in their search. They do not give up! Thanks be to God too, that many today have found their way to Christ despite the fact that

parents clergy and others who should have led them joyfully to Jesus were either asleep, or ignorant or just plain lazy. I am often amazed at some of the conversion

stories I have heard, people who found their way to Christ and his Church despite some pretty discouraging obstacles like poor religious upbringing, scandalous cler-

gy and bad example. God sometimes allows our faith and call to be tested but Those who persevere to the end will be saved (Matt 24:13).

Stage 3. CONFESSION OF FAITH - The text says, After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded

them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with

Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. – With what little information they have they set out and continue to follow the call of God

through the star.

Note that they enter a “house.” We often think of the Magi as coming that same Christmas night to the cave or stable but it seems not. Mary (Joseph) and Jesus are

found now in a house. It would seem that decent lodging has now been found. Has it been days since the birth? Perhaps even longer, but we are likely dealing with a

different day than Christmas Day.

Notice too that they “prostrate” themselves before Jesus. The Greek word is προσεκύνησαν (prosekunēsan) which means more literally “to fall down in worship” or

“give adoration.” The verb is used 12 times in the New Testament and it is clear each time that religious worship is the purpose of the prostration. This is no mere

homage or a sign of respect to an earthly King, this is religious worship. This is a confession of faith. So our Magi manifest faith! But is it a real faith, or just a per-functory observance? It’s not enough to answer an altar call, or to get baptized. Faith is never alone. It is a transformative relationship with Jesus Christ. So lets look

for the effects of a real and saving faith.

Stage 4. COST - There is a cost to discipleship. The magi are moved to give three symbolic gifts that show some of what true faith includes. And they are costly

gifts.

Gold is a symbol of all our possessions. In laying this gift before Jesus they and we are saying, “I acknowledge that everything I have is yours. I put all my resources

and wealth under your authority and will use them only according to your will.” A conversion that has not reached the wallet is not complete.

Frankincense. is the gift of worship, for in the Bible incense is a symbol of prayer and worship (eg. psalm 141). In laying down this gift we promise to pray and

worship God all the days of our life. To be in his holy house each Sunday and render him the praise and worship he is due. To listen to his word and to consent to be

fed the Eucharist by him. To worship him worthily by frequent confession and to praise him at all times. And they give

Myrrh - a strange gift for an infant. Myrrh is usually understood as burial ointment. Surely this prefigures Jesus’ death but it also symbolizes our own. In laying this

gift before Jesus we are saying, my life is yours. I want to die so that you may live your life in me. May you increase and may I decrease. Use me and my life as you

will. So here are gifts that are highly symbolic.

The magi manifest more than a little homage to Jesus. They are showing forth the fruits of saving faith. And if we can give these gifts so too are we.

Stage 5. CONVERSION – The text says, And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way. Here then is essential evidence for faith: conversion. It is not enough to get happy in Church, we have to obey. Hence, these wise men are walking differently now. They are not

going home by the same way they came. They’ve changed direction, they’ve turned around (conversio). They are now willing to walk the straight and narrow path

that leads to life rather than the wide road that leads to damnation. They are going to obey Christ. They are going to exhibit what St. Paul calls the “obedience of faith” (Rom 1:5; 16:26). They have not just engaged in a possibly perfunctory worship, they are showing signs of a true and saving faith. They are not just calling

Jesus “Lord, Lord!” They are doing what he tells them (cf Luke 6:46).

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

JANUARY 6, 2019

Three Kings came riding from far away, Melchior and Gaspar and Baltasar; Three Wise Men out of the East were they, And they travelled by night and they slept by day, For their guide was a beautiful, wonderful star. The star was so beautiful, large, and clear, That all the other stars of the sky Became a white mist in the atmosphere, And by this they knew that the coming was near Of the Prince foretold in the prophecy. Three caskets they bore on their saddle-bows, Three caskets of gold with golden keys; Their robes were of crimson silk with rows Of bells and pomegranates and furbelows, Their turbans like blossoming almond-trees. And so the Three Kings rode into the West, Through the dusk of night, over hill and dell, And sometimes they nodded with beard on breast And sometimes talked, as they paused to rest, With the people they met at some wayside well. "Of the child that is born," said Baltasar, "Good people, I pray you, tell us the news; For we in the East have seen his star, And have ridden fast, and have ridden far, To find and worship the King of the Jews." And the people answered, "You ask in vain; We know of no king but Herod the Great!" They thought the Wise Men were men insane, As they spurred their horses across the plain, Like riders in haste, and who cannot wait. And when they came to Jerusalem, Herod the Great, who had heard this thing, Sent for the Wise Men and questioned them; And said, "Go down unto Bethlehem, And bring me tidings of this new king." So they rode away; and the star stood still, The only one in the gray of morn Yes, it stopped, it stood still of its own free will, Right over Bethlehem on the hill, The city of David where Christ was born.

And the Three Kings rode through the gate and the guard, Through the silent street, till their horses turned And neighed as they entered the great inn-yard; But the windows were closed, and the doors were barred, And only a light in the stable burned. And cradled there in the scented hay, In the air made sweet by the breath of kine, The little child in the manger lay, The child, that would be king one day Of a kingdom not human but divine. His mother Mary of Nazareth Sat watching beside his place of rest, Watching the even flow of his breath, For the joy of life and the terror of death Were mingled together in her breast. They laid their offerings at his feet: The gold was their tribute to a King, The frankincense, with its odor sweet, Was for the Priest, the Paraclete, The myrrh for the body's burying. And the mother wondered and bowed her head, And sat as still as a statue of stone; Her heart was troubled yet comforted, Remembering what the Angel had said Of an endless reign and of David's throne. Then the Kings rode out of the city gate, With a clatter of hoofs in proud array; But they went not back to Herod the Great, For they knew his malice and feared his hate, And returned to their homes by another way. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

JANUARY 6, 2019

SUNDAY OFFERING

NOT AVAILABLE DUE TO HOLIDAY

PRINTING SCHEDULE

“FIND OUT HOW MUCH GOD HAS GIVEN YOU, AND

FROM IT TAKE WHAT YOU NEED; THE REMAINDER IS

NEEDED BY OTHERS”

ST. AUGUSTINE

St. Augustine and St. Benedict

January 6, 2019 View St. Augustine (Part

1)

January 13, 2019 Discuss St. Augustine (Part 1)

View St. Augustine (Part 2)

January 20, 2019 Breakfast

January 27, 2019 Discuss St. Augustine (Part 2)

View St. Benedict (Part 1)

February 3, 2019 Discuss St. Benedict (Part 1)

View St. Benedict (Part 2)

February 10, 2019 Discuss St. Benedict (Part 2)

MEETING IN BENNETT ADULT ED ROOM-

SUNDAYS AT 8:45 AM

9 Days for Life (www.9daysforlife.com) is the annual

novena for the respect of all human life. Thousands of

Catholics from parishes across the country join together

to pray this novena, and each day focuses on a different

aspect of respecting each other's God-given dignity.

The Committee on Pro-Life Activities invites you and

your staff to join and share 9 Days for Life, which takes

place Monday, January 14 – Tuesday, January 22.

K OF C FREE THROW CONTEST

Sunday January 20, 2019 1:00 p.m. Registration/ Warm-up

Central Catholic High School – McHale Gymnasium (use middle

school entrance)

Who: Boys & Girls Age 9-14 years of age (as of 1/1/19)

Questions? Contact Rick Tolen (765)-404-2777 or Jim Cooley

(765)-491-8317