EPIPHANY MORNING PRAYER We have seen His Star in the East Reflection: The Magi represent the rest of the human race for whom God became Incarnate and was born as a child in Bethlehem. When the Magi from the East find the infant Jesus they pay him homage. Even though Jesus was a helpless infant, they recognized Him as a King. By their visit to the Christ child they revealed God s plan of salvation, to include not only the chosen people of Israel but the whole of mankind, including the Gentiles. Many generations later we thank them. A generation after the Magi s visit, St. Paul In his message to the Ephesians shares the mystery or secret of the call of the Gentiles into the household of God, a mystery which has been hidden for ages, but is now revealed in the Incarnation of Christ. He tries to convert his own people to accept Jesus as the Messiah. Paul comprehends that Jesus is the one who fulfills the promises and expectations of the Old Testament lessons. Not very many people accepted Paul s effort to convince them that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah. Hence, Paul, under divine inspiration, decides to turn to the Gentiles. In our time, we thank Paul. As Franciscan Missionaries of Mary we thank Bl. Mary of the Passion for founding an Institute dedicated to Universal Mission. The feast of the Epiphany is celebrated as the Birthday of the Institute. 1
CALL TO PRAYER Leader: Today our Savior has been manifested to the Gentiles, All: Who await him unknowingly. Leader: They saw his Star, All: They opened their hearts and believed. Leader: Their faith has set them on the way, All: Seeking the King who has been born. Hymn: Epihany Carol (Francis Patrick O Brien) or your choice Psalm: (composed from the writings of Mary of the Passion. ) Antiphon: Your light has come, Jerusalem, the glory of the Lord has risen upon you; the nations walk in your light, alleluia. Today the Church sings: Rise up Jerusalem, your light has come, to enlighten the peoples of the earth and bring them joy and truth. Let us arise then, Franciscan Missionaries of Mary! Let us be radiant with joy, the Light has come, it will not fail us, and may we not fail this Light. (MD 80) Like the Magi, seek the light without ceasing, and don t be afraid of it. Even if this light asks sacrifice, it still brings peace and happiness. With faithful and constant love, like the Magi, let us follow the light of grace. This light will lead us to Light. 2
Mary Immaculate is our Star, she who is both virgin and mother. Imitate her, and her gentle light will lead us to the eternal Light which is Jesus. (MD 80) With Mary of the Passion we pray: What can I give you in return? The detachment of poverty: I have received all, I owe you all; I owe you that purity which preserves innocence; the abandon to obedience which makes your will, my will; I no longer live; it is you who lives in me. (MD 81) Take another road than the one we have followed until now. The Magi retuned by another route. Let us, too, turn our lives around; from now on avoiding the confused ways followed by our self love in the past, leading us astray. Today, promise Jesus that from now on we will follow the road that leads directly to heaven. (MD 94) Glory... Reading: Ephesians 3:1-12 This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles for surely you have already heard of the commission of God s grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God s grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to 3
the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him. Response: Rise up, Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, be radiant with joy. Because our Light has come. - Rise up. Let us welcome with all nations the peace and salvation of our God! - Because our Light has come. Glory to the Father, to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, - Rise up Canticle of Zachary: Antiphon: Today the Church is united to her Spouse: Christ in the Jordan purifies her other faults; the Magi bring their gifts to the royal nuptials; water is changed into wine for the joy of the invited, alleluia. Blessed are you, God of Israel, for you have visited and redeemed your people, and have raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of your servant. As you spoke through the mouths of your holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who oppress us; to perform the mercy promised to our ancestors, and to remember your holy covenant, the oath you swore to Abraham and Sarah, to grant us deliverance from evil, that we might serve you without fear, in holiness and righteousness, 4
all the days of our lives. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the holy One to prepare God's ways, to give knowledge of salvation to God's people in the forgiveness of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God when the day shall dawn upon us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Glory... Prayers of Praise and Intercession: We turn toward Jesus who chose the sign of a star to manifest himself to the Gentiles. As Franciscan Missionaries of Mary let us call down the reign of peace for our world. R/ Praise to you, Jesus sent by the Father; give peace to our world. Jesus, the Magi had their signpost - the star our world sorely lacks signposts because of so much violence. Increase the messengers who announce the Gospel of peace at the price of their lives. R/ Jesus, in 1877 Pius IX blessed the little group which would pass the flame of fire to all those who would be called to keep this flame alive - our passion for mission. Strengthen our steps along the roads of the world. R/ Jesus, the Spirit is always at work. Help us to witness increasingly to the signs of the Spirit's action in our world. R/ 5
OUR FATHER CLOSING PRAYER: Lord, today we wish to take our place with the Magi. Before leaving Jesus, they adored him. Like them, we prostrate ourselves at the feet of the Infant and his Mother. and we adore the Word Incarnate, Sun of Justice, Prince of Peace. Today he sends us to bring this message of peace and justice to all persons in our world who are seeking for signposts. We renew the total gift of our profession - the offering of ourselves. (MD 95) Help us to become more and more a living host, holy and pleasing in your eyes. (MD 96) Amen. Closing Hymn: We Three Kings Prepared by Our Lady of Lourdes Community 6