IS 60,1-6
PS 72,1-2. 7-8. 10-11. 12-13
EPH 3,2-2-3A. 5-6
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.
CONOCE A NUESTRA FAMILIA EXTENDIDA:
meet our extended family
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Feast Day January 4)
August 28, 1774- January 4, 1821
Elizabeth was raised in a home of wealth and privilege in New York. She married a prominent young businessman, William Seton. When William's business went bankrupt, and he contracted tuberculosis, they moved to Italy, where they hoped the climate would improve William's health. This was not the case, and he passed away a short time later. Now a widow, Elizabeth and her children became completely dependent on the kindness of her husband's business partners in Italy. She went to Catholic Mass with friends in Italy while they awaited the opportunity to return home. Elizabeth was touched deeply by her Catholic friends' belief in the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
Five months after she returned to America, she converted to the Catholic Faith. Elizabeth's conversion represented no small challenge or sacrifice. At a time when she needed the support of family and friends most, she was criticized and rejected for her newfound faith. Yet, she took up the task she believed God was calling her to do. Years later, Elizabeth took up a second calling as a religious and founded the Sisters of Charity. Mother Seton established the first free Catholic school for girls in Baltimore. The order she founded has expanded to include work for the poor in hospitals, schools, and charitable institutions.
In 1975, Elizabeth became the first American-born saint to be canonized. In his homily, Pope Paul VI gave a great definition of a saint: "A saint is a human creature fully conformed to the will of God." St. Elizabeth conformed her life to the will of God in multiple vocations: as wife, mother, and later as a religious sister.
TOMA TIEMPO PARA COMPARTIR
Take time to chat
A star in the night sky led the magi to Jesus. Share a time when you felt that God led you in a special way.
What does it mean to "do homage"? In what way do you do homage to Jesus?
The magi gave Jesus gifts of gold. frankincense. and myrrh. If Jesus were born today. what gift would you give him and why?
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was impacted by her friend's belief in the Eucharist. Explain your understanding of the Eucharist.
