Summary

The marks the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of the Ordinary Time.

Isaiah 60:1-6 - prophecy of the coming of Jesus as the "Light", and His visitors who will bring Him gifts.

(Letter/Epistle of St Paul to the) Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6 - preaching to the Gentiles

Matthew 2:1-12 - visit of the magi to Jesus

What is...?

Bethlehem

• The word means "House of Bread".

Judea

• In the time of Jesus, Judea is a Roman province.

• You can see a map here.

Myrrh

• Myrrh is a gum-resin extracted from a number of small, thorny tree species of the genus Commiphora. Myrrh resin has been used throughout history as a perfume, incense and medicine. Pictures and more information here.

Who is/are...?

Isaiah

• He is one of the greatest of the prophets. He appeared at a critical moment in Israel’s history.

• More information here.

Ephesians

• People of Ephesus (in today's Izmir province of Turkey)

King Herod

• Also known as Herod I, or Herod the Great.

• Herod reigned from 37 BC to 4 BC. He was a "client king" under the Roman empire. 

• More information here.

Magi

• singular form is magus.

• Magi: originally a designation of the Persian priestly caste, the word became used of those who were regarded as having more than human knowledge.

• The identification of the magi as kings may come from Isaiah 60.

Judah

• One of the children of Jacob (later named Israel).

• This name was used by his descendants to be the tribe of Judah. 

• The land occupied by the tribe was also called Judah.

Basic Message

Light for the Gentiles.

Dig deeper into this Sunday's Readings and Gospel with teachings from Brant Pitre.

Saints