A sense of mission: Reflections and insights on the First Sunday after the Epiphany

The readings and propers of this Sunday is all about Jesus and His mission to make His Father's glory known. This, too, we share through the sharing of His priestly, prophetic, and kingly mission from the time we are baptized.

Anyway, here is this week's Biblical fix:

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READINGS AND PROPERS

Extraordinary Form (Feast of the Holy Family)

The special devotion which proposes the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as the model of virtue of all Christian households began in the XVIIth century. It started almost simultaneously in Canada and France. -- The Association of the Holy Family being founded in Montreal in 1663, and the Daughters of the Holy Family in Paris in 1674. Numerous other congregations and associations under the Patronage of the Holy Family have been established, since that time, and they are spread over the world. The Archconfraternity was established by Pius IX in 1847. In 1893 Leo XIII approved a feast for Canada, and Pope Benedict XV extended the Feast of the Holy Family to the whole Church and ordered its celebration to be kept on the Sunday after the Epiphany.

INTROIT ¤ Prov. 23, 24, 25.
	Exsultat gaudio pater Iusti, gaudeat Pater tuus et Mater tua, et exsultet quae genuit te. -- Quam dilecta tabernacula tua, Domine virtutum: concupiscit et deficit anima mea in atria Domini. V.: Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. -- Exsultat gaudio pater Iusti, gaudeat Pater tuus et Mater tua, et exsultet quae genuit te.	The father of the Just rejoiceth greatly, let Thy father and Thy mother be joyful, and let her rejoice who bore Thee. -- (Ps. 88. 2, 3). How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts! My soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord. V.: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. -- The father of the Just rejoiceth greatly, let Thy father and Thy mother be joyful, and let her rejoice who bore Thee.
COLLECT
	Domine Iesu Christe, qui Mariae et Ioseph subditus, domesticam vitam ineffabilibus virtutibus consecrasti: fac nos, utriusque auxilio, Familiae sanctae tuae exemplis instrui; et consortium consequi sempiternum: Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patri in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum.	O Lord Jesus Christ, who, being subject to Mary and Joseph, didst sanctify home life with unspeakable virtues: grant, that, by the aid of both, we may be taught by the example of Thy Holy Family, and attain to eternal fellowship with it: Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
EPISTLE ¤ Col. 3. 12-17 Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Colossians. Lectio Epistolae beati Pauli Apostoli ad Colossenses. ["All whatsoever you do in word or work, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by Jesus Christ our Lord." . . . says St. Paul to the Colossians and to the Church.]
	Fratres: Induite vos ergo, sicut electi Dei, sancti, et dilecti, viscera misericordiae benignitatem, humilitatem, modestiam, patientiam: supportantes invicem, et donantes vobismetipsis si quis adversus aliquem habet querelam: sicut et Dominus donavit vobis, ita et vos. Super omnia autem haec, caritatem habete, quod est vinculum perfectionis: et pax Christi exsultet in cordibus vestris, in qua et vocati estis in uno corpore: et grati estote. Verbum Christi habitet in vobis abundanter, in omni sapientia, docentes, et commonentes vosmetipsos, psalmis, hymnis, et canticis spiritualibus, in gratia cantantes in cordibus vestris Deo. Omne, quodcumque facitis in verbo aut in opere, omnia in nomine Domini Iesu Christi, gratias agentes Deo et Patri per ipsum.	Brethren, Put ye on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, the bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience: bearing with one another and forgiving one another: even as the Lord hath forgiven you, so do you also. But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection: and let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body: and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual canticles, singing in grace in your hearts to God. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by Jesus Christ our Lord.
GRADUAL ¤ Ps. 16. 4.
	Unam petii a Domino, hanc requiram: ut inhabitem in domo Domini omnibus diebus vitae meae. V.: Beati qui habitant in domo tua, Domine, in saecula saeculorum laudabunt te.    Alleluia, alleluia. V.: Vere tu es Rex absconditus, Deus Israel Salvator. Alleluia.	One thing I have asked of the Lord, this will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. V. (Ps. 88. 5). Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house, O Lord, they shall praise Thee for ever and ever.    Alleluia, alleluia. V. (Isaias 45. 15) Verily Thou art a hidden King, the God of Israel, the Savior. Alleluia.
GOSPEL ¤ Luke 2. 42-52 † Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke. † Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Lucam. [The Divine Child Jesus sits in the midst of the doctors who are astonished at His wisdom and His answers. Humility of Jesus. Greatness of Jesus in the Temple and His submission to Mary and Joseph.]
	Cum factus esset Iesus annorum duodecim, ascendentibus illis Ierosolymam secundum consuetudinem diei festi, consummatisque diebus, cum redirent, remansit puer Iesus in Ierusalem, et non cognoverunt parentes eius. Existimantes autem illum esse in comitatu, venerunt iter diei, et requirebant eum inter cognatos et notos. Et non invenientes, regressi sunt in Ierusalem, requirentes eum. Et factum est, post triduum invenerunt illum in templo sedentem in medio doctorum, audientem illos, et interrogantem eos. Stupebant autem omnes qui eum audiebant, super prudentia et responsis eius. Et videntes admirati sunt. Et dixit mater es ad illum: Fili, quid fecisti nobis sic? Ecce pater tuus et ego dolentes quaerebamus te. Et ait ad illos: Quid est quod me quaerebatis? Nesciebatis quia in his quae Patris mei sunt, oportet me esse? Et ipsi non intellexerunt verbum quod locutus est ad eos. Et descendit cum eis, et venit Nazareth: et erat subditus illis. Et mater eius conservabat omnia verba haec in corde suo. Et Iesus proficiebat sapientia, et aetate, et gratia apud Deum et homines.	When Jesus was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast, and having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the Child Jesus remained in Jerusalem, and His parents knew it not. And thinking that He was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintences. And not finding Him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking Him. And it came to pass that after three days they found Him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them and asking them questions. And all that heard Him were astonished at His wisdom and His answers. And seeing Him they wondered. And His Mother said to Him: Son, why hast Thou done so to us? Behold Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing. And He said to them: how is it that you sought Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business? And they understood not the word that He spoke unto them. And he went down with them and come to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And His Mother kept all these words in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and grace with God and men.
OFFERTORY ¤ Luke 2. 22
	Tulerunt Iesum parentes eius in Ierusalem, ut sisterent eum Domino.	The parents of Jesus carried Him to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord.
SECRET
	Placationis hostiam offerimus tibi, Domine, suppliciter deprecantes: ut, per intercessionem Deiparae Virginis cum beato Ioseph, familias nostras in pace et gratia tua firmiter constituas. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum, Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum.	We offer unto Thee, O Lord, this propitiatory Sacrifice, humbly entreating Thee: that the intercession of the Virgin Mother of God, with blessed Joseph, Thou wouldst firmly establish our families in Thy peace and grace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
PREFACE Preface of the Epiphany
	Vere dignum et iustum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique gratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus: Quia cum Unigenitus tuus in substantia nostrae mortalitatis apparuit, nova nos immortalitatis suae luce reparavit. Et ideo cum Angelis et Archangelis, cum Thronis et Dominationibus, cumque omni militia coelestis exercitus, hymnum gloriae tuae canimus, sine fine dicentes:	It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God; for when Thine only-begotten Son was manifested in the substance of our mortal flesh, with the new light of His own Immortality He restored us. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Throne and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy glory, evermore saying:
COMMUNION ¤ Luke 2. 51.
	Descendit Jesus cum eis, et venit Nazareth, et erat subditus illis.	Jesus went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them.
POSTCOMMUNION
	Quos caelestibus reficis sacramentis, fac, Domine Iesu, sanctae Familiae tuae exempla iugiter imitari: ut in hora mortis nostrae, occurrente gloriosa Virgine Matre tua cum beato Ioseph, per te in aeterna tabernacula recipi mereamur: Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patri in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum.	Make us, O Lord Jesus, whom Thou dost refresh with heavenly sacraments, ever to follow the example of Thy Holy Family: that in the hour of our death, the glorious Virgin Thy Mother with blessed Joseph may come to our aid, and we may be found worthy to be received by Thee into everlasting tabernacles. Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.

Ordinary Form (Feast of the Baptism of the Lord)

Prophecy: Is. 42:1-4, 6-7 (1-7)

Thus saith the Lord: Behold my servant, I will uphold him: my elect, my soul delighteth in him: I have given my spirit upon him, he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor have respect to person, neither shall his voice be heard abroad. The bruised reed he shall not break, and smoking flax he shall not quench, he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not be sad, nor troublesome, till he set judgment in the earth, and the islands shall wait for his law.

(Thus saith the Lord God that created the heavens, and stretched them out: that established the earth, and the things that spring out of it: that giveth breath to the people upon it, and spirit to them that tread thereon.)

I the Lord have called thee in justice, and taken thee by the hand, and preserved thee. And I have given thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles: That thou mightest open the eyes of the blind, and bring forth the prisoner out of prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Responsorial: Ps. 29: 1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10

R: The Lord will bless his people with peace.

Bring to the Lord, O ye children of God:

bring to the Lord the offspring of rams.

Bring to the Lord glory and honour:

bring to the Lord glory to his name:

adore ye the Lord in his holy court.

The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;

The Lord is upon many waters.

The voice of the Lord is in power;

the voice of the Lord in magnificence.

The God of majesty hath thundered.

And in his temple all shall speak his glory.

The Lord maketh the flood to dwell:

and the Lord shall sit king for ever.

Epistle: Acts 10:34-38

In those days: Peter opening his mouth, said: in very deed I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons. But in every nation, he that feareth him and worketh justice is acceptable to him. God sent the word to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all). You know the word which hath been published through all Judea: for it began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached. Jesus of Nazareth: how God anointed him with the Holy Ghost and with power, who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

Gospel: Mt. 3:13-17

At that time: Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, unto John, to be baptized by him. But John stayed him, saying: I ought to be baptized by thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering, said to him: Suffer it to be so now. For so it becometh us to fulfil all justice. Then he suffered him. And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him. And behold a voice from heaven saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

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REFLECTIONS AND INSIGHTS

This Sunday, we celebrate two feasts, if not three. In the Ordinary Form, we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord; whilst in the Extraordinary Form, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, if not the External Solemnity of the Epiphany (which is celebrated in January 6th in the old liturgical calendar no matter what day of the week it is, since it is the twelfth day of Christmas) with the commemoration of the Feast of the Holy Family (using its Collect, its Secret, and its Postcommunion).

In the Old Rite, the propers reflect the continuing story of Christmas through the childhood of Jesus. In fact, if Easter has its fifty days (from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday), Christmas has its forty--from Christmas Day to February 2nd, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the Purification of Mary. In the Novus Ordo, The readings are more of the beginning of the public ministry of the Son of God, when His Father in heaven sent down Their Spirit (the Spirit of the Father and the Spirit of the Son is one and the same Third Person of the Holy Trinity--remember that!).

Since Advent, we have noticed that the First Reading is always taken form the Prophecy of Isaias, and the only time this is repeated is during Lent and Holy Week. The Isaianic prophecy is so Messianic in nature that it stands above the prophecies of Jeremias, Ezechiel, Daniel, and the other prophecies that comprised the second half of the Old Testament. It might be also realized that through the Holy Spirit and through the wisdom of the Church, the prophecy of Isaias takes a place of precedence over all the other prophecies that followed it in the canon of the Scriptures.

One of the passages which makes the Prophecy of Isaias a cut above the rest is the one read today. "Behold My servant," says the Lord. And we clearly see that this servant is no other than His own Son, Jesus Christ. If we also include verse 8  of the 42nd chapter, in addition to verse 5 which is omitted in the Liturgy of the Word (but can be seen in this reflection parenthesized and italicized), we can see that it is Jesus who is being referred here: "I the Lord, this is my name: I will not give my glory to another, nor my praise to graven things." If we look closer, we might ask: "Who is this servant?" For sure, Isaias is out of the choices since he is the visionary, and God is very wise and omniscient that He has not addressed this statement to Isaias, that Isaias is not the one whom He is speaking to.

So the question now is: "To whom, then?"

And our Catholic faith understands that the answer is very obvious: To the Messiah--to Jesus Christ, the God made man.

This only means that the plan for salvation is really "up close and personal" from the very beginning. Jesus, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, made a tremendous act of mediating between God and man. He, being God, has redeemed us from our sinful misery. But His wisdom is so infinite the He left behind a Church to tell to the world that He have to die on a cross just to make us worthy to be called children of God. And in the Gospel of the Ordinary Form, we hear the voice of the Father and the manifestation of the Holy Spirit anointing Jesus: "This is My beloved Son." Extensively, the first chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews is all about the divinity of Christ and how he is very well pleased in the eyes of His Father:
 

"For to which of the angels hath he said at any time: 'Thou art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee'? And again: 'I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son'? And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith: 'And let all the angels of God adore him'.

"And to the angels indeed he saith: 'He that maketh his angels spirits and his ministers a flame of fire'. But to the Son: 'Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of justice is the sceptre of thy kingdom.'"

(Heb. 1:5-8, emphasis supplied)

See how this pastiche of words from the Old Testament fit perfectly to Jesus.

To summarize the story of the Baptism, it is the first clear manifestation of the Holy Trinity in the Scriptures: The Father supplied the voice; The Son is the highlight of it all; and the Holy Spirit was that dove that hovered over the Son, anointing Him of Himself.

As for the propers of the Old Rite, we see that they are all focused on Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Obviously, it is always the Introit that sets the mood for the celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. In this case, part of the Introit of the feast today reads: let Thy father and Thy mother be joyful, and let her rejoice who bore Thee.

The Epistle tackles on what a Christian family should be; and even though St. Paul have no grasp on the full story of Christ's childhood, he clearly understood that He was born of a woman and born under the Law (cf. Gal. 4:4). And so because Paul has this concept of Jesus's family, he somehow applied it in his writings.

But as always, it is the message of the Gospel reading which strikes home. Jesus intentionally left Himself behind without the knowledge of Mary and Joseph to deal with His Father's business. And indeed He dealt with the priests and doctors of His Temple, since Jesus is God. Yet, the end of the story tells us that Jesus became subject to Mary and Joseph as He grew in age and wisdom.

So what does this imply?

Simple. The Lord of Wisdom has manifested His Father's wisdom, but the same Lord of Wisdom displayed it through humility and childlikeness. Jesus has shown Himself and His wisdom through immersing Himself to the humility of having a sense of mission. And if we like to imitate Him, and share in the wisdom He possesses in Himself, we must be like little children, since the Lord Himself practiced it.

So, just the same, we ask ourselves: Have I considered to ask myself to know what my mission in life is> Will I follow Jesus as He fulfilled the will of His Father in heaven and obeyed Mary, His Mother, and Joseph, His Guardian?

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PRAYING THE COLLECT

Almighty ever-living God, who, when Christ had been baptized in the River Jordan and as the Holy Ghost descended upon Him, solemnly declared Him Thine beloved Son, grant that Thy children by adoption, reborn of water and the Holy Ghost, may always be well pleasing to Thee. O Lord Jesus Christ, who, being subject to Mary and Joseph, didst sanctify home life with unspeakable virtues: grant, that, by the aid of both, we may be taught by the example of Thy Holy Family, and attain to eternal fellowship with it: Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost: One God, world without end. Amen.