The family gathers to celebrate the Solemnity of the Lord's Epiphany. They sing an opening song and make the sign of the cross. The head of the family introduces the celebration and its meaning - that Jesus revealed himself as King and Savior of all people, not just the Jews. The Gospel story of the Magi visiting the infant Jesus is read. In his reflection, the head of the family discusses how the Magi followed the star's light to find Jesus, and encourages the family to open their eyes to see God revealed in each other and to share the blessings they have received. Prayers are offered for the Church, missionaries, those in need, and
The family gathers to celebrate the Solemnity of the Lord's Epiphany. They sing an opening song and make the sign of the cross. The head of the family introduces the celebration and its meaning - that Jesus revealed himself as King and Savior of all people, not just the Jews. The Gospel story of the Magi visiting the infant Jesus is read. In his reflection, the head of the family discusses how the Magi followed the star's light to find Jesus, and encourages the family to open their eyes to see God revealed in each other and to share the blessings they have received. Prayers are offered for the Church, missionaries, those in need, and
The family gathers to celebrate the Solemnity of the Lord's Epiphany. They sing an opening song and make the sign of the cross. The head of the family introduces the celebration and its meaning - that Jesus revealed himself as King and Savior of all people, not just the Jews. The Gospel story of the Magi visiting the infant Jesus is read. In his reflection, the head of the family discusses how the Magi followed the star's light to find Jesus, and encourages the family to open their eyes to see God revealed in each other and to share the blessings they have received. Prayers are offered for the Church, missionaries, those in need, and
The family gathers to celebrate the Solemnity of the Lord's Epiphany. They sing an opening song and make the sign of the cross. The head of the family introduces the celebration and its meaning - that Jesus revealed himself as King and Savior of all people, not just the Jews. The Gospel story of the Magi visiting the infant Jesus is read. In his reflection, the head of the family discusses how the Magi followed the star's light to find Jesus, and encourages the family to open their eyes to see God revealed in each other and to share the blessings they have received. Prayers are offered for the Church, missionaries, those in need, and
After the song the members of the family makes the sign of the cross. The head of the family introduces the celebration in these words:
Purihin at ipagdangal ang ating Poong Maykapal Ama ng Bukal ng Buhay Anak na Siya nating Daan Espiritung ating Tanglaw.
Members of the family:
Sapagkat karapat-dapat tayong magpuri’t magdiwang sa Diyos na ating Mapagmahal na siyang nagtipon sa tanan upang sa kanya ay sumamba! Head of the Family:
Epiphany is the manifestation/revelation
of Jesus as the King/Savior not only of the Jews, but of all human beings.
Today’s feast reminds us
that God loves all nations of the earth, and that He communicates with us not only through His word, but also in many, often unforeseen ways: through internal inspirations, through external events, and through people . . . . Many times these factors are combined in an interplay that becomes clear only in hindsight.
The challenge is for us to “decipher” God’s message
and respond to it with faith, persevering generosity and courage, just as the Magi did.
Let us include in our intentions all the peoples of the world
and all those who are working hard to bring about harmony and cooperation among all human beings.
As we come together in this Family Celebration
for the Solemnity of the Lord’s Epiphany, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, let us now give glory to God in the highest and to his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who took away our sins. Members of the Family
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen. PRAYER
Let us pray [grateful for the glory revealed today through God made man]
Father of light, unchanging God,
today you reveal to men of faith the resplendent fact of the Word made flesh.
Your light is strong,
your love is near; draw us beyond the limits which this world imposes, to the life where your Spirit makes all life complete.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Members of the family:
Amen. Head of the Family:
Brothers and sisters,
like the disciples on the way to Emmaus, let our hearts burn within us, as we listen to God’s word.
ALLELUIA
GOSPEL Matthew 2:1-12
Brothers and sisters let us now listen
to the reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,
in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.” Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” 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. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
they departed for their country by another way.
At the end of the Gospel, the head of the family acclaims:
The Gospel of the Lord.
The members of the family reply:
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
REFLECTION
Naalala n’yo po ba ang kwento ng Alamat ng
Piña? Biglang pinarusahan si Pina dahil sa tuwing inuutusan siya ng kanyang nanay na hanapin ang isang bagay ay lagi niyang sinasabi na hindi niya makita yung pinapahanap sa kanya.
Mayroon pang famous line ang ating mga nanay
na kapag laging ganito ang sinasabi nating mga anak, sasabihin nila, “Mata ang ginagamit panghanap, hindi bibig.”
Sa atin pong ebanghelyo ngayong Dakilang
Kapistahan ng Epipanya, ng Pagpapakita ng ating Panginoon, may narinig din tayong utos pero mula naman sa Haring Herodes na kung saan inutusan niya ang 3 pantas mula sa Silangan na, “Humayo kayo at hanaping mabuti ang sanggol.” “Go and search diligently for the child.” Ang 3 Pantas ng Silangan, the 3 Wise Men of the East, o mas kilala sa taguri na, 3 Hari o 3 Kings, ay mga kilalang mangangaral ng astrolohiya at sinasabi na sa lumang tipan, ang mga pantas daw ay mahusay sa pag-interpret ng mga panaginip at propesiya.
Mayroon pong tatlong bagay ang nais na
ipahiwatig sa atin ng pagdiriwang ngayong linggo:
• Si Kristo ang Liwanag na nagniningning sa
ating buhay sa kabila ng nakapaligid sa ating kadiliman ng problema at pagsubok sa buhay. Siya ang Talang gumagabay sa atin sa tuwing binabalot tayo ng gabi ng pagkakasala at kalugmukan sa buhay.
• Ang Tatlong Pantas ay nagturo sa atin na
maghandog ng mga bagay na mahalaga sa atin. Kung mapapansin po ninyo, ang ginto, insenso at mira ang ibinigay nila sa sanggol na si Hesus. Noong panahong iyon, napakamahal na gamit ang mga iyon. Tayo kaya? Ano yung isang bagay na pwede nating maialay sa Sanggol na si Hesus?
• Sana mahanap ng ating mga mata ang
kadakilaan at kagandahan ng Diyos at maibahagi natin ang mga nakita natin sa ating kapwa. Sigurado ako na pagkauwi ng tatlong pantas, ibinalita nila kung ano ang nakita nila sa Bethlehem. Ang mga blessings na natanggap natin = maibahagi natin sa iba.
Tama nga naman ang mga nanay natin, huwag
lang tayo maghanap gamit ang ating mga bibig. Huwag tayong masanay na kausapin natin ng kausapin ang Panginoon na para bang kayong dalawa lang ang nag-uusap. Buksan natin ang ating mga mata at makikita natin siya sa mga taong nakapaligid sa atin. Katulad ng mga Pantas na itinuon ang kanilang mga mata sa tala at nasumpungan nila si Hesus, tayo rin nawa ay maging katulad nila, nakatuon ang mga mata sa Panginoon upang masumpungan, makita natin siya sa ating mga kapwa. GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
Head of the Family:
In Christ Jesus, all have become children of the Father and
heirs of salvation. Let us pray that we may be worthy of this great gift. We shall say:
R: Lord, let your light shine upon us.
One member of the family:
For the universal Church: May she bring together men and women from afar and lead them all to the light of Christ’s Gospel. We pray:
R: Lord, let your light shine upon us.
For Church leaders and missionaries: May they gather into
the community of the people of God the rich diversity of gifts of peoples and cultures. We pray:
R: Lord, let your light shine upon us.
For those whose lives are covered by the darkness of sin,
unbelief, and suffering: May they see the light of salvation and walk in its shining radiance. We pray:
R: Lord, let your light shine upon us.
For interreligious dialogue: May the hurtful things of the past
not stand in the way of mutual respect, yearning for truth, and the search for God on the part of Christians and non- Christians alike. We pray:
R: Lord, let your light shine upon us.
Let us pray for the urgent concerns of our community and our personal intentions (pause). Let us pray.
R: Lord, let your light shine upon us.
Head of the Family:
Heavenly Father, let the light of your Son shine within us so that we may be guided through the pathways of life and be united with you in the glory of heaven.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen. THE LORD’S PRAYER The head of the family introduces the Lord’s Prayer.
Head of the Family:
Let us ask our Father
to forgive our sins and to bring us to forgive those who sin against us.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
After the Lord’s Prayer the head of the family invites the members of the family to offer the sign of peace to each other.
Head of the Family:
May the peace of our Lord, be with us always.
Let us offer each other the sign of Peace. SPIRITUAL COMMUNION The head of the family invites the members of the family:
My brothers and sisters,
the Holy Eucharist has been entrusted to us as a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, and a blood of charity. Let us now seek to receive the Lord spiritually. All members will join in praying.
My Jesus, I believe that You are in the Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I long for You in my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though You have already come, I embrace You and unite myself entirely to You; never permit me to be separated from You. After communion the members of the family stand. The head of the family recites the following prayer:
Loving Father, we have celebrated and prayed and reflected together the Solemnity of the Lord’s Epiphany. May we live out what we have heard in the Gospel and desire more to encounter and receive you in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, knowing that this celebration helped us prepared to come and participate in the Sacred Banquet with our brothers and sisters. We ask this through Christ, your Son and our Lord.
Members of the Family:
Amen.
Then the head of the family addresses the members of the family in these words:
Brothers and sisters,
as we conclude our Family Celebration for the Solemnity of the Lord’s Epiphany, let us go and proclaim the word we have heard and live according to the spirit of the Sacrament that we will receive in the Holy Mass today.
(Byzantina Australiensia 8) John R. Melville Jones-Eustathios of Thessaloniki - The Capture of Thessaloniki - Australian Association For Byzantine Studies (1988)
(Byzantina Australiensia 8) John R. Melville Jones-Eustathios of Thessaloniki - The Capture of Thessaloniki - Australian Association For Byzantine Studies (1988)
