Thought for the Day – 6 January – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Epiphany
“The Magi gave Jesus material gifts too, as symbols of their complete dedication to Him. They gave Him gold because He was a King, incense because He was God and myrrh because, He was Man. We often say that we love God and wish to serve and obey Him in all things. But when we see that this entails sacrifice, we forget our promises.
We must ask ourselves if we are prepared to offer Jesus, gold, that is, to offer Him everything we possess, for the promotion of His glory, for the spread of His Kingdom and for the relief of His poor, to whom we ought always to see and love in them, Christ Himself. We must examine ourselves thoroughly on this. It is easy to find excuses for not giving to God and to His poor, in accordance with our means.
We should offer too, the incense of our adoration and unceasing prayer. There can be no sanctity without prayer. There can be no real Christians, without sanctity.
Finally, we must offer the myrrh of our mortification. Mortification, as St Vincent de Paul has said, is the ABC of Christian perfection. St Paul exhorts us to carry always, in ourselves, the mortification of Jesus. If we are not mortified, we can never be holy and can never share the joy which the Magi experieced as they lay prostrate before the cradle of our Divine Redeemer.”
Quote/s of the Day – 6 January – The Epiphany of the Lord – Isaias 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“They fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”
Matthew 2:11
“Thus we offer the Lord, Gold, when we shine in His Sight with the light of heavenly wisdom …. We offer Him Frankincense, when we send up pure prayer before Him and Myrrh, when, “mortifying our flesh with its vices and passions” (Gal 5:24) by self-control, we carry the cross behind Jesus.”
St Bruno of Segni O.Cart. (c 1030 -1101) Bishop
(1st Sermon on the Epiphany PL 165, 863).
Chalk the Door – Epiphany House Blessing 20 C+M+B 23 “Christus mansionem benedicat”
Peace be to this house and to all who dwell herein. From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord – “and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts – Gold for the Great King, Incense for the True God and Myrrh to symbolise His Burial.”
The equation is written to be the first two digits of the year, followed by the initials C, M and B, followed by the last two digits of the year. Each portion is split by plus signs (being the Sign of the Cross). For this year, the equation would be written as “20 + C + M + B + 23” The chalking holds two meanings. The C, M and B, refer to the traditional names of the Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. The letters also stand for the Latin phrase “Christus Mansionem Benedicat” which means “May Christ Bless this House” The plus signs represents the Cross and the 20 and 23 simply refer to the year.
The Epiphany of the Lord – 6 January: Epiphany celebrates the visit of the three kings or wise men to the Christ Child, signifying the extension of salvation to the Gentiles. The date of Epiphany, one of the oldest Christian Feasts, is 6 January, the 12th day after Christmas. However, in some countries, the celebration of Epiphany is transferred to the Sunday that falls between 2 January and 8 January (inclusive). Greece, Ireland, Italy and Poland continue to observe Epiphany on 6 January as do some Dioceses ithroughout the world. Because Epiphany is one of the most important Christian Feasts, it is a Holy Day of Obligation in most countries.
St Antoninus St Basillisa of Antinoë Saint Balthasar, Saint Caspar and Saint Melchior
St Charles of Sezze OFM (1613-1670) Stigmatist, Friar, of the Friars Minor, Mystic, Writer, Advisor. His Beatification was celebrated in 1882 while Pope Pius XII approved his Canonisation in 1958 but the Pope died before he could Canonise the Friar so his successor, Pope John XXIII did so on 12 April 1959. His body is incorrupt. About St Charles: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/01/06/saint-of-the-day-6-january-st-charles-of-sezze-o-f-m-1613-1670/
St Demetrius of Philadelphia St Diman Dubh of Connor St Edeyrn St Eigrad St Erminold of Prüfening
St Julian of Antinoë St Julius Bl Luc of Roucy Bl Macarius the Scot St Macra of Rheims St Merinus St Nilammon of Geris St Petran of Landévennec St Peter of Canterbury (Died c 614) Priest, Abbot, Missionary St Pia of Quedlinburg St Pompejanus Bl Raymond de Blanes Bl Rita Amada de Jesus St Schotin St Wiltrudis of Bergen
Martyrs in Africa: Unknown number of Christian men and women who were Martyred in the persecutions of Septimus Severus. They were burned to death c 210.
Martyrs of Sirmium – 8 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together for their faith. The only surviving details are the names of eight of them – Anastasius VIII, Florianus, Florus, Jucundus, Peter, Ratites, Tatia and Tilis. They were martyred in the 4th century at Syrmium, Pannonia (modern Sremska Mitrovica, Vojvodina, Serbia).
Twelve Apostles – Saints of Ireland: Twelve 6th century Irish monks who studied under Saint Finian at Clonard Abbey and then spread the Faith throughout Ireland. Each has his own commemoration but on this day, they and their good works are considered and celebrated together. Although Saint Finian is sometimes included, most ancient writers list them as –
Quote of the Day – 7 January – The Second Day within the Octave of Epiphany
“The Epiphany” By St Robert Southwell SJ (1561-1595) Martyr
To blaze the rising of this glorious sun A glittering star appeareth in the east Whose sight to pilgrim toil three sages won To seek the light they long had in request, And by this star to nobler star they pace Whose arms did their desired sun embrace.
Still was the sky wherein these planets shined And want the cloud that did eclipse their rays, Yet through this cloud their passage they did find, And pierced these sages’ hearts by secret ways, Which made them know, the Ruler of the skies By Infant tongue and looks of babish eyes.
Heaven at her light, earth blusheth at her pride And of their pomp these peers ashamed be, Their crowns, their robes, their train they set aside When God’s poor cottage, clouts and crew they see, All glorious things their glory now despise Since God contempt doth more than glory prize.
Three gifts they bring, three gifts they bear away, For Incense, Myrrh and Gold, Faith, Hope and Love And with their gifts the givers’ hearts do stay, Their mind from Christ, no parting can remove, His humble state, His stall, His poor retinue They fancy more than all their rich revenue.
Thought for the Day – 6 January – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Epiphany
“Let us consider the faith of the Magi, a faith which was willing, lively and active. They saw in the sky the star which heralded the Infant Jesus and experienced the divine inspiration in their hearts. Immediately they went in search of Him. They were not even deterred by the long and hazardous journey which lay before them.
When they arrived at Jerusalem, they found Herod, who did not know what they were talking about. The star disappeared and the priests replied coldly to the questions they asked. But all the time their trust in the divine call continued to grow. Eventually, they reached a poor barn, where they found, not an earthly King but, a little Child Who was crying on the straw bed of a manger. As a reward for their trouble and perseverance, a voice in their hearts told them that this was Jesus, the King of Kings and Saviour of the world.
Unfortunately, when we hear the divine call, no matter how clear and simple it is, we find a thousand excuses for delaying and perhaps, for not responding to it at all! Let us humbly promise to be more generous in listening for it and more energetic in complying with it, regardless of the cost.”
Thought for the Day – 6 January – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971) The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
The Epiphany
It was love which inspired the Magi. Love sustained them on their journey and made them fall prostrate in adoration before the Infant Jesus. Even before they offered Him material gifts, they offered Him, their hearts! As a reward for their faith and charity, God showered his graces upon them and an immense supernatural joy pervaded their souls. In that moment of adoration, they received the highest possible reward for their hardships and perseverance. With deep interior joy, they gave Jesus their hearts and never withdrew them. A pious tradition maintains, that they apostles and Saints and, in fact, the Church venerates them as such, today.
We should follow the example of the Magi and promise, before the cradle of the Infant Saviour, that we shall face any sacrifices, even death, rather than offend Him and shall work, in every way possible, for His glory and our sanctification.”
AnaStpaul 
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