Solemnity of the Epiphany of Our Lord

Most days the readings all tie together somehow, most Sundays anyway. But I love on feast days when they really go all out to tie the anticipation of the OT with a Gospel reading and then throw in the yummy goodness of a Pauline epistle that strikes home as well. Today was just such a home run.

The first reading is from good old reliable Isaiah.

[A]ll from Sheba shall come
bearing gold and frankincense,
and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

A great reading for Epiphany, what with Matthew for the Gospel.

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.
Then they opened their treasures
and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

But I especially like the tying it all up with Paul from Ephesians.

It was not made known to people in other generations
as it has now been revealed
to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:
that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body,
and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Luke and the shepherds notwithstanding, the first to recognize the Messiah are foreigners. The Magi are from Persia or wherever. They of course stand in for us nowadays. We are all foreigners bringing our gifts to Him.

(Also fun to note is that, in his homily, Cardinal McCarrick explained that he liked to think that, despite the popular image of the wise men with the holy family in the stable, Joseph likely had found some better accomodations for himself and the wife and kid by the time the Magi arrived. He likes to think Joseph was a good manager.

And, heck, Matthew does say that they saw Mary and the child on entering the house. No stable by then. A house.)