Merry Christmas season and happy New Year everybody.
On this first Friday of 2026, let’s take 5 minutes to reflect on the upcoming Sunday’s Epiphany Gospel story, of the three Wise Men’s worship of Jesus, in the light of the grave. Remember, every weekend can be a Little Triduum, with some sacrifice being made each Friday, in recognition of Jesus’ life-giving Friday sacrifice for us, that we might more fully enter every Sunday as a foretaste of Eternal Resurrection Joy!
This Sunday's Gospel is Matthew 2: 1-12 (from the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible)
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet:
‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler
who will govern my people Israel.’”
Then Herod summoned the Wise Men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” When they had heard the king they went their way; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
Gold, frankincense and myrrh, see? The gold was to honor Jesus’ kingship. The frankincense was to honor his divinity. The myrrh was a prefigurement of the death he chose to freely die for us as he stooped down into our humanity, taking on flesh that we might be freed from the bondage of sin; that we might put on divinity in the eternal communion of the saints.
Myrrh is for mercy.
Mercy might seem costly in the moment, but Jesus has paid the biggest price, shown us the path to follow and assured us that he will not abandon us.
Here’s to a grace abounding 2026!