![]() In the Gospel of today Jesus says that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. He tells us that we owe nothing to the flesh. ![]() Paul reminds us that while in this world we are still in a struggle against sin. Because of this and our continuing union with the Trinity, Paul can say that we live in the Spirit that is we live with our hearts open to God. Baptism brought the Spirit of God and of Christ into our lives. They are full of promise, life and growth. Those who live according to the Spirit give themselves to Jesus. Those who live according to the flesh give themselves to human logic and power alone. At the center of the flesh principle are such things as pride, arrogance and ambition. Flesh in this context refers to a life turned on it, an egoistic life. Paul in his letter to the Romans reminds us of the choice between two possible principles by which we can live: one is to live by the flesh and the other to live by the Spirit. He is a king of peace, not just in the sense of an external absence of violence but of a deep, inner peace, shalom. This is confirmed later in the words: “He will banish war chariots from Ephraim and war horses from Jerusalem the bow of war will be banished.” He will proclaim peace for the nations. ![]() The people can now devote themselves to planting and harvesting. The scene is one of humility but also of peace indicating that peace is returned and the nation is free from the ravages of war. God always takes the initiative in the divine-human relationship. He is coming riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. He evokes God’s protective care as he promises the coming of our King into Jerusalem, truly humble. In the First Reading from the Book of Zechariah the prophet invites the Israelites for a sincere service to God. At the same time he says that his yoke is easy and his burden is light and hence we must come to him in order to receive rest from him. Jesus thanks the Father for granting the disciples the grace to grasp his teaching while keeping its meaning hidden from the so-called wise and intelligent people of the day. That dominion is expressed in today’s Gospel when Jesus says, “All things have been handed over to me by my Father.” He reveals the Father to us, and so we are swept up, in the Holy Spirit, into the intimacy between Father and Son, as we ourselves become his sons and daughters in Jesus Christ. He has dominion is from sea to sea, and yet he is concerned personally of each one of us. He is the new king whose arrival brings peace to the weary people. He is our King, says Prophet Zechariah in the first reading, yet comes meekly riding on a placid donkey rather than on a prancing war horse. He is the God who is our creator and all surpassing, yet approaches us on intimate personal terms. This word reveals to us and shows us that God is all powerful and mighty and yet is always accessible. The readings of today invite us to reflect on peace and consolation through the Word of God. Do not be afraid to follow your heart when you hear God’s call.Zechariah 9:9-10 Romans 8:9.11-13 Matthew 11:25-30 The wise men had a revelation that the Son of God was coming, and they were not afraid to follow their hearts. As the wise men in today’s gospel did, you too can continue to follow your faith throughout this year. A chance to discover new things and make our own revelations. And myrrh, a perfume used for embalming, which symbolized that Christ would one day die for our sins.Īs we start a new calendar year, it’s a time of rejuvenation for many of us. Frankincense, which was often used in worship, and symbolized the holiness of Jesus. They brought gifts that symbolized their revelation of his divinity: gold, which associated Jesus as a king. They embarked on a journey of faith, following the star of Bethlehem until they reached the manger where Jesus laid. Today’s gospel illustrates this revelation through the story of the three wise men who traveled to visit Jesus following his birth. In celebrating the Epiphany of the Lord, we celebrate the revelation that Jesus was born as the Son of God. Today, on the twelfth day of Christmas, we conclude this wonderful time of year by celebrating the Feast of the Epiphany. In the Church, the Christmas season actually begins the day after Christmas and ends 12 days later. But not everybody is familiar with the real 12 days of Christmas. Many of you have probably heard the song “The 12 Days of Christmas.” It’s a true classic.
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