January 6, 2026 – EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

+ From the Gospel according to Matthew (2:1-12)

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? For we saw his star at its rising, and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They answered him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'”
Then Herod secretly called the Magi and learned from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I too may come and worship him.”

After hearing the king, they set out. And behold, the star they had seen at its rising went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly. On entering the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

The Word of the Lord