R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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.

The Magi were able to read the stars, interpreting their meaning. They saw at the birth of Jesus an extraordinary star and followed it – What did they follow? What were they looking for?

As persons who “read the stars” they clearly were looking for the real meaning in life. For example, a true friend brings a special meaning to your life. Just recently a 4-year-old said to me that his mother was not just his mom, but also his best friend. She must have been for him a friend who gives meaning to his life.

The Magi, or the three kings, were looking for that meaning, and when they found Jesus, they found the best friendship they could have – a divine friendship with Jesus as the Savior of the World.

In Italy there is the famous story of a grandmother-like figure with the name La Befana. As the three kings were coming from the East to Bethlehem, they passed La Befana’s house. Seeing that they were pilgrims on a journey, she was hospitable to them and opened up her home to them. They told her they were looking for the One who was the Savior of the World, and they invited her to go along with them. She said, “Oh I am too busy! I have to clean house – inside and out!” So the Magi went ahead without her. When they were gone, she changed her mind but could not catch up with them. She felt very, very badly that she did not allow herself to have a meaningful friendship with the newborn Savior, Jesus. And ever since that time, to make up for her being too busy to be a friend of the newborn Savior, on the feast of the three kings, she brings goodies to the good children of the world. Lo and behold! She has brought some candy to the children with us today, on this the feast of the Epiphany. However, if a child is not good, she brings them a piece of coal and tells that child to shape up! This morning, when I got up, I looked all around the church, looking for coal. I looked ALL AROUND the Church, looking for coal. And lo and behold, there was NONE. Boy was I relieved (Because that coal might have been for me)!

Back to the three kings … When they found Jesus, they knelt in adoration and brought the gifts of gold – for he is a kingly God. They brought incense – for praying to Him our prayer rises, like incense to Heaven. They brought myrrh, for his eventual burial after the Cross – for the salvation of the world. They were overjoyed, for they found true meaning in their lives, that is, friendship with the Lord Jesus.

We can do no better than what these three kings have done. Melchior, Caspar, and Balthezar place their blessing above a prominent door of your home. Ask the three kings to protect your home and all who dwell within. And, ask these holy kings to remind you that the true meaning in life is to be in friendship with Jesus, Savior of Our Souls.

Monsignor Michael J. Cariglio, Jr., Pastor & Rector, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica – Saint Anthony Parish

Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem!  Your light has come,
the glory of the Lord shines upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth,
and thick clouds cover the peoples;
but upon you the LORD shines,
and over you appears his glory.
Nations shall walk by your light,
and kings by your shining radiance.
Raise your eyes and look about;
they all gather and come to you:
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.

Then you shall be radiant at what you see,
your heart shall throb and overflow,
for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you,
the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.
Caravans of camels shall fill you,
dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;
all from Sheba shall come
bearing gold and frankincense,
and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

R. (cf. 11)  Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king’s son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts;
the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute.
All kings shall pay him homage,
all nations shall serve him.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Brothers and sisters:
You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace
that was given to me for your benefit,
namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation.
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.

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

Come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there

And unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.