Sunday January 5, 2025
Epiphany of the Lord (Solemnity)
Office proper, Te Deum
Mass prop. Gloria. Creed.
Preface of Epiphany
Vestment: White
Today’s Rosary: Glorious Mysteries
Click HERE for the Previous Catholic Daily Reading
Vespers II of the Epiphany of the Lord
ABUJA: Tomorrow is the 42th Anniversary of the episcopal ordination of John Cardinal Onaiyekan, 6th January 1983.
NSUKKA: Tomorrow is the 34th Anniversary of the episcopal ordination of Most Revd. F. E. Okobo,(Emeritus,) 6th January 1991.
UYO : Tomorrow is the 18th Anniversary of the episcopal ordination of Most Revd. John E. Ayah, 6th January 2007.
Epiphany of the Lord (Solemnity). The Star that Guides All People. The feast of the Epiphany was first celebrated in Africa, in Egypt, where it replaced a pagan feast that celebrated the victory of light over darkness. The Christian liturgy took over this theme and proposes it for our reflection in the first reading and in the Gospel. The second reading tells us what would happen if we accept the light: we would become one people.
Entrance Antiphon
Behold, the Lord, the Mighty One, has come; and kingship is in his grasp, and power and dominion.
The Gloria (Glory to God in the Highest)
Collect
O God, who on this day revealed your Only Begotten Son to the nations by the guidance of a star, grant in your mercy, that we who know you already by faith, may be brought to behold the beauty of your sublime glory. Through our Lord…
FIRST READING
“The glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”
A reading from the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 60:1-6)
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall walk by your light, and kings in the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes round about, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far, and your daughters shall be carried in the arms. Then you shall see and be radiant, your heart shall thrill and rejoice; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 72:1-2.7-8.10-11.12- 13 (R. cf. 11)
R/. All nations on earth shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord
O God, give your judgement to the king,
to a king’s son your justice,
that he may judge your people in justice,
and your poor in right judgement. R/.
In his days shall justice flourish,
and great peace till the moon is no more.
He shall rule from sea to sea,
from the River to the bounds of the earth. R/.
R/. All nations on earth shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord
The kings of Tarshish and the islands
shall pay him tribute.
The kings of Sheba and Seba
shall bring him gifts.
Before him all kings shall fall prostrate,
all nations shall serve him. R/.
For he shall save the needy when they cry,
the poor, and those who are helpless.
He will have pity on the weak and the needy,
and save the lives of the needy. R/.
SECOND READING
“It has now been revealed that the Gentiles are fellow heirs of the promise.”
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6)
Brethren: I assume that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.
The word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA Matthew 2:2
Alleluia. We have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship the Lord. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“We have come from the East to worship the king.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthews 2:1-12)
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.
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Creed (I Believe)
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
Celebrant:
By the guidance of a star, God revealed his Son, Jesus Christ, to the world as a light for the nations. Let us pray that through our words and actions, those who dwell in darkness may be led into the light of Christ.
FOR N., OUR POPE, N., OUR BISHOP AND ALL THE BISHOPS OF THE CHURCH: that, in fulfilling their work of pastoring the flock entrusted to them, they may be guided along the right path by the unfailing light of Christ. Let us pray to the Lord.
FOR PEACE IN OUR COUNTRY: that the light of Christ will shine ever brighter in our country and dispel from it all traces of evil, corruption, insecurity and violence. Let us pray to the Lord.
FOR ALL HUMANITY: that Christ may reveal himself to all men and women of our time with the light that shines forth from him and is reflected in the face of the church. Let us pray to the Lord.
FOR GOD’S BLESSINGS ON US: that, in this year which has just begun, God’s light may continually shine on our path, that he may keep us safe in the hollow of his hands, and grant success to the work of our hands. Let us pray to the Lord.
FOR OTHER INTENTIONS: (the sick, church projects or other activities).
FOR THE DEAD: especially the members of our parish community and families that they may find peace in the kingdom of Our Father. We pray to the Lord.
We pray in silence for our private intentions.
Celebrant:
Lord our God, you constantly reveal to us your Son, the light of the world. Grant us the grace to be bearers of your light in our society. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.
TODAY’S REFLECTION
The celebration of the solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord is a commemoration of God’s revelation of Himself to all of humanity, unhindered by any human limitation. The Magi received this revelation through their astrology, which shows that God can reveal himself through any means or person he chooses. This calls us to guard against discrimination of any kind in our Christian living. God is for all of us and reveals himself to all in different ways. Pay attention to the events around you; God could be talking to you through them. When it becomes difficult for you to understand, God will provide you with a star to direct you. He did not fail the Magi; he will not fail you.
PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL Day 4
21 DAY NOVENA WITH FASTING AND PRAYERS for Ourselves, Family, and the Restoration of our Country in this New Year 2025 from Thursday 2nd January – Wednesday 22nd January 2025.
Kindly Note: the sick, pregnant women, nursing mothers and the aged are please advised to exercise caution in their fast. Please 1. Opening Prayer: The name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen.
- Opening Prayer: The name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen.
- Prayer point:
- Exercise your authority in Christ today.
- Command all demonic powers to stop all their evil activities in your life and family.
- Reflection: John 10:10, 1 John 3:8, Colossians 2:14-15, Ps. 35, 124
- HEALING PRAYERS OF YOUR FAMILY LINEAGE
Heavenly Father, I come before you as your child, in great need of your help. I have physical health needs, emotional needs, spiritual needs and interpersonal needs. Many of my problems have been caused by my own failures, neglect and sinfulness, for which I humbly beg your forgiveness. I also ask you to forgive the sins of my ancestors whose failures may have left their effects on me in the form of unwanted tendencies, negative behaviour patterns and a predisposition toward sin. Heal me, Lord, of all these disorders.
With your help I sincerely forgive everyone, living or dead members of my family lineage, who have directly offended me or my loved ones in any way, or those whose sins have resulted in our present sufferings and disorders. In the name of your divine Son Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, I ask you Father, to deliver me and my entire family lineage from the influence of evil.
Free all members of my family tree, including those in adoptive relationships, and those in extended family relationships, from every contaminating form of bondage. By your loving concern for us, heavenly Father, and by the shed blood of your precious Son Jesus, I beg you to extend your blessing to me and all my living and deceased relatives. Heal every negative effect transmitted through all past generations, and prevent such negative effects in all future generations.
I symbolically place the Cross of Christ over the head of every person in my family lineage and I ask you to let the cleansing Blood of Jesus purify every aspect of my family. Send protective angels to encamp around us and administer to us your divine healing power, even in areas of genetic disability. Give special power to our family members’ guardian angels to heal, protect, guide and encourage each of us in all our needs. Let your healing power be released at this very moment, and let it continue as long as your sovereignty permits.
Replace all bondage in our family lineage with a bonding of holy family love. May there be an ever-deeper bonding with you, Heavenly Father, through the power of your Holy Spirit, to your Son, Jesus Christ. Let the family of the Holy Trinity pervade our family with its tender, warm, loving presence so that our family may recognize and manifest that love in all our relationships; in Jesus’ precious name I pray. Amen.
- PRAYER FOR OUR COUNTRY
“Lord, please be in our midst as we come together as your body to lift up our country and our leaders. Please protect our country from the division that challenges our ability to live lives pleasing to you. Defend the vulnerable and voiceless, and bring justice to those who have suffered injustice. Amen.” - PRAYER OF TRUST IN GOD
I will live in Your strength and courage, for You are my God. I have faith in You and Your word because I know that Your word never fails. I thank You for the many promises You have spoken over my life, and I place my trust in You. I thank you for the powerful name of Jesus to which every knee shall bow.
Thank you for giving me your authority over all the power of the enemy. Nothing shall harm me.
Thank you for your full armour, your name, your most precious Blood and your Holy Spirit.
No weapon formed against me shall prosper.
Thank you heavenly Father for all your protection and provisions, may your name be praised, both now and forever more Amen.
- RECITE THE ROSARY (Glorious Mysteries): Offer this mystery for your Personal Intention, for a successful 2025
- CONCLUDING PRAYERS
You are God over all mankind. You are God over everything in my sphere and beyond! There is nothing too hard for you! No situation is too hard! My situation is not too hard for you!! I believe in your power! In Jesus’ name.
Precious Lord, I surrender to your mercy; Lord I surrender to your loving kindness; merciful God, I surrender to your saving grace.
(Sanctify yourself and your family – (Repeat as severally as you can))
“I surrender my life and my destiny to you oh Lord, wash it with the BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST.”
In the power and authority that you have given me, I say to all addictions, perversions, chemical dependencies, hopelessness, worry, doubt, fear, despair and all symptoms of any such illness, that you must submit to the name of Jesus.
I cast down every argument and proud obstacle that exalts itself against the knowledge of God in the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
- In the name of the father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
