Theological Status: ACTIVE HERESY
Biblical Parallel(Archetype): Thyatira
❓ What do these grades mean?
🔍 Biblical Discernment: The 7 Church Parallels
The Cold Orthodox Parallel
Ephesus
Teaching that upholds doctrinal precision yet parallels the loss of the "first love"—the vital, motivating power of the Gospel (Rev 2:4).
The Compromised Parallel
Pergamum
Teaching that parallels churches tolerating the "doctrine of Balaam" through cultural accommodation (Rev 2:14), characterized by weak boundaries, sloppy theology, and worldly compromise.
Why strictly "Mark & Avoid"?
We do not issue this rating to attack the speaker, but to protect the listener. This ministry's overall teaching trend consistently deviates from sound doctrine. As per Romans 16:17, we identify these patterns so believers can guard their hearts.
We do not issue this rating to attack the speaker, but to protect the listener. This ministry's overall teaching trend consistently deviates from sound doctrine. As per Romans 16:17, we identify these patterns so believers can guard their hearts.
🧐 Overview
Theological Verdict & Summary
Sermon Summary: A reflection on the Magi's journey as a model for New Year's spiritual commitments, emphasizing the pursuit of truth and the importance of daily Mass.
Pastoral Analysis: While the sermon offers practical encouragement for spiritual discipline and features engaging illustrations, it is fundamentally compromised by a critical error in Eucharistic theology. The teaching of a physical transformation of the elements (Transubstantiation) stands in direct contradiction to the biblical doctrine of Christ's spiritual presence. Additionally, the homiletical approach leans heavily on moralism, urging behavioral change without sufficient anchoring in the Gospel's grace.
Biblical Parallel (Archetype): Thyatira — The sermon exhibits active doctrinal deviation regarding the nature of the Eucharist, teaching a physical transformation of the elements that contradicts the biblical testimony of Christ's spiritual presence and finished work. This represents a fundamental error in sacramental theology, aligning with the warning against false teaching found in the church of Thyatira.
Big Idea: The Magi's journey demonstrates that encountering Christ requires seeking the light of truth, resulting in a transformed life characterized by missionary zeal and spiritual commitment. [00:20:32 ▶️ 📄]
📖 How they Handle Scripture & Jesus
- Primary Text: Matthew 2:1-12
- Usage Classification: Thematic
- Text-to-Talk Ratio: High
- Pulpit Decorum: ✅ PASS - The pastor maintains a respectful and engaging tone, using humor and personal anecdotes effectively.
✝️ Christological Focus: Moralistic/Imitative
"Christ is presented primarily as the object of the Magi's search and the recipient of worship, rather than the active agent of salvation whose finished work empowers the believer's new life."
Scripture Saturation: Verses Read: 23 | Referenced: 2 | Alluded: 2
📖 View 3 Passages Read Aloud
-
Isaiah 60:1-6
[00:10:27 ▶️ 📄]
"Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem. Your light has come. The glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds covers the peoples. But upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light and kings by your shining radiance. Raise your eyes and look about. They all gather and come to you, your sons from afar and your daughters in the arms of their nurses. Then you shall be radiant at what you see. Your heart shall throb and overflow. For the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you. The wealth of the nations shall be brought before you. Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephath. All from Sheba shall come, bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the Lord."
-
Ephesians 3:2-6
[00:15:49 ▶️ 📄]
"Brothers and sisters, you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for your benefit, namely that the mystery was made known to me by revelation. It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit That the Gentiles are co-heirs, members of the same body, and co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel."
-
Matthew 2:1-12
[00:18:00 ▶️ 📄]
"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? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage. When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet, And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, since from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel. Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word that I too may go and do him homage. After their audience with the king, they set out, and behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house, They saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. They opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way."
Key References: Micah 5:1, Matthew 2:1-12
💧 Liturgy & Sacraments
Fencing the Table (Communion):
- Believers Only Stated: ❌ No (Open Table Risk)
- Warning Against Unworthy Manner: ⚠️ None Detected
- Verbatim Warning: "Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my body, which will be given up for you. ... Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many, For the forgiveness of sins, do this in memory of me."
🎙️ Sermon Content & Delivery
Word Count: 1,590 words
📌 View 11 Key Topics Addressed
-
The Identity and Meaning of the Magi
[00:22:04 ▶️ 📄]
> The pastor explains that 'Magi' means scholars or learned men who studied the sky, and notes their traditional names (Gaspar, Melchor, Balthazar) and representation of universal cultures. -
Symbolism of the Gifts
[00:25:11 ▶️ 📄]
> The pastor interprets the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh as symbols of royalty, divinity, and foreshadowing the cross/funeral rites. -
Stewardship and Grace
[00:26:03 ▶️ 📄]
> The pastor clarifies that stewardship is primarily God's outpouring of grace to Gentiles and Jews as co-heirs, rather than just human return to God. -
New Year Spiritual Resolutions
[00:29:09 ▶️ 📄]
> The pastor encourages spiritual resolutions for the new year, such as daily Mass, prayer, and participating in ministries, contrasting them with physical resolutions. -
Spiritual Resolutions and Daily Mass
[00:30:42 ▶️ 📄]
> The pastor suggests making resolutions like attending daily Mass, citing the help of sanctifying grace and sharing a personal anecdote about his grandmother's devotion. -
Prayer and Scripture
[00:31:31 ▶️ 📄]
> The pastor emphasizes the importance of daily prayer, suggesting options like the rosary, chaplet, reading scripture, or Bible study. -
Ministry and Service
[00:31:58 ▶️ 📄]
> The pastor encourages participating in church ministries, councils, or works of mercy, such as volunteering at hospitals or with Feed NC. -
Liturgical Recitation
[00:33:28 ▶️ 📄]
> The congregation recites the Creed, affirming core beliefs about God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. -
Prayers of the People
[00:35:02 ▶️ 📄]
> Intercessory prayers are offered for civil officials, missionaries, law enforcement, the poor, the faithful departed, and peace in the world. -
Eucharistic Prayer
[00:42:02 ▶️ 📄]
> The priest leads the congregation in the Eucharistic Prayer, consecrating the bread and wine and remembering Christ's passion, resurrection, and ascension. -
Communion Hymns
[00:52:16 ▶️ 📄]
> The congregation sings communion hymns, including 'The Wood of the Cradle' and 'What Star is This,' focusing on the incarnation and presence of Christ.
🖼️ View 4 Illustrations & Stories
-
Sermon Illustration
[00:21:27 ▶️ 📄]
> The pastor shares a humorous anecdote about a parishioner asking where the camel was in the nativity set, joking that it was spotted on the way and arrived just in time for Epiphany alongside an elephant. -
Sermon Illustration
[00:31:03 ▶️ 📄]
> The pastor recalls his grandmother, a daily communicant who attended noon mass even after work until she was 96 years old, using her as an inspiration for daily spiritual commitment. -
Sermon Illustration
[00:30:23 ▶️ 📄]
> The pastor recalls grade school memories of writing down resolutions that teachers could reference later if students failed to keep them, using this to transition into the idea of spiritual resolutions. -
Sermon Illustration
[00:31:03 ▶️ 📄]
> The pastor shares a personal story about his grandmother, who was a daily communicant for most of her adult life, attending noon mass even while working and continuing until she was 96 years old, which served as a great inspiration for him.
🚀 View 6 Calls to Action
-
Pastoral Charge
[00:30:51 ▶️ 📄]
> Commit to attending daily Mass. -
Pastoral Charge
[00:31:31 ▶️ 📄]
> Establish a daily prayer routine (e.g., rosary, scripture reading, Bible study). -
Pastoral Charge
[00:31:58 ▶️ 📄]
> Begin participating in a church ministry, council, commission, or volunteer role. -
Pastoral Charge
[00:30:44 ▶️ 📄]
> Make spiritual resolutions and set aside time during the week for them. -
Pastoral Charge
[00:31:22 ▶️ 📄]
> Attend Mass according to their personal schedule. -
Pastoral Charge
[00:32:02 ▶️ 📄]
> Start participating in a church ministry, council, commission, or volunteer role.
🧭 Biblical Alignment Dashboard
Overall Verdict: Fundamentally in Error
| Category | Status | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Gospel Presentation | ❌ FAIL | The Gospel Engine is not intact. The sermon relies on moralistic imperatives and behavioral commands for spiritual growth without adequately anchoring the message in the Gospel or the Holy Spirit's regenerative work, resulting in a 'Safe Harbor Failed' status. |
| Soteriology | ⚠️ WEAK | The sermon emphasizes human effort and resolutions for spiritual progress, lacking a clear presentation of salvation as a monergistic work of grace. |
| Bibliology | ✅ PASS | Scripture is referenced, though the interpretive framework is influenced by extra-biblical sacramental theology. |
| Hermeneutic | ⚠️ WEAK | The hermeneutic prioritizes traditional sacramental definitions over the explicit biblical testimony regarding the nature of Christ's presence and the sufficiency of His work. |
| Theology Proper | ✅ PASS | The sermon maintains orthodox views on the Trinity and the person of Christ, aside from the specific sacramental deviation. |
| Sacramentology | ❌ FAIL | The sermon teaches Transubstantiation, asserting a literal physical transformation of the bread and wine, which is a fundamental doctrinal error from a biblical perspective. |
| Confessional Depth | ❌ FAIL | The teaching focuses on external practices and traditional dogmas rather than the deep theological implications of the Gospel and the believer's union with Christ. |
⚙️ The Core Gospel Framework
What is this? This section checks if the sermon contains the essential building blocks of the Gospel. We look for explicit, substantive mentions of God's holy standard, human inability, and Christ's finished work on the cross.
Why it matters for the final verdict: A complete Gospel framework protects a sermon from becoming man-centered. If a preacher gives commands for good behavior but leaves out the grace and atonement of the Gospel, it often results in a 🔴 Critical or 🟠 Major error for Moralism (teaching human self-improvement rather than reliance on Christ). However, if these Gospel elements are missing simply because the pastor is preaching a highly focused, practical message to mature believers (e.g., instructions on biblical marriage), our system applies a "Safe Harbor" pardon, graciously reducing the omission to a 🟡 Minor error.
Why it matters for the final verdict: A complete Gospel framework protects a sermon from becoming man-centered. If a preacher gives commands for good behavior but leaves out the grace and atonement of the Gospel, it often results in a 🔴 Critical or 🟠 Major error for Moralism (teaching human self-improvement rather than reliance on Christ). However, if these Gospel elements are missing simply because the pastor is preaching a highly focused, practical message to mature believers (e.g., instructions on biblical marriage), our system applies a "Safe Harbor" pardon, graciously reducing the omission to a 🟡 Minor error.
❌ The Law And Wrath: Not observed in the sermon.
❌ Total Depravity And Inability: Not observed in the sermon.
❌ Active Obedience Of Christ: Not observed in the sermon.
✅ The Cross And Atonement:
"And the myrrh, which is kind of a foreshadowing of the cross used in the funeral rites." [00:25:33 ▶️ 📄]
⚠️ Theological Concerns
🔴 Critical Transubstantiation
Root Cause: Transubstantiation
"[that they may become the Body and Blood of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ] ... [Therefore, O Lord, we humbly implore you, by the same Spirit graciously made holy, these gifts we have brought to you for consecration, that they may become the Body and Blood of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, at whose command we celebrate these mysteries.]" [00:44:31 ▶️ 📄]
The Belief/Behavior: The pastor prays that the gifts 'may become the Body and Blood of your Son,' teaching that the bread and wine literally transform into the physical body and blood of Christ.
Why It's Dangerous: This teaches a physical transformation that denies the spiritual presence of Christ and the sufficiency of His finished work, leading believers to trust in the elements rather than Christ Himself.
Biblical Correction: John 6:63: "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."
🟠 Major Homiletical Imbalance (Moralism)
Root Cause: Moralism
"Sermon-wide structural omission (No specific quote available)" [00:00:00 ▶️ 📄]
The Belief/Behavior: The pastor relies on practical advice and behavioral commands for spiritual growth without anchoring the message in the Gospel or the Holy Spirit's regenerative work.
Why It's Dangerous: This leads to a 'the structural pardon failed' status, causing the congregation to rely on their own resolutions and efforts rather than God's grace, resulting in spiritual burnout or pride.
Biblical Correction: Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
🟠 Major Failure to Fence
Root Cause: Failure to Fence
"[Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many]" [00:45:27 ▶️ 📄]
The Belief/Behavior: The pastor issues an invitation to communion without explicitly warning the congregation against partaking in an unworthy manner as commanded in 1 Corinthians 11.
Why It's Dangerous: This exposes the congregation to the danger of eating and drinking judgment upon themselves by failing to discern the Lord's body.
Biblical Correction: 1 Corinthians 11:29: "For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body."
✅ Commendations
Pastoral Warmth | Engaging Illustrations
The pastor uses relatable anecdotes, such as the camel in the nativity set and his grandmother's daily devotion, to connect with the congregation on a personal level.
Practical Application | Actionable Spiritual Disciplines
The sermon provides concrete suggestions for spiritual growth, such as attending daily Mass, praying the rosary, and serving in the community.
📜 Full Sermon Transcript (Audit)
Use the 📄 icons next to quotes above to automatically jump to their location in this raw transcript.
[00:00:21] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Respirations...
[00:00:47] In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
[00:01:08] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Amen.
[00:01:17] and more.
[00:01:50] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
There's a lot of different pieces I've learned.
[00:02:16] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Nice, Rachel.
[00:02:16] Nice.
[00:02:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
I have to see if it really comes up now.
[00:02:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
I guess it's all right.
[00:02:45] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
How beautiful.
[00:03:14] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
Good morning.
[00:03:34] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
We welcome any visitors who join us for worship on this, the Epiphany of the Lord.
[00:03:40] Please turn off your cell phones or set them to silent mode.
[00:03:45] For safety reasons, we ask that all children be accompanied by an adult when attending restrooms.
[00:03:52] Our presider for this Mass is Father Mark Lawler.
[00:03:57] Our gathering hymn is in our Gather Hymnal, We Three Kings of Orient Are, number 463, and we will sing verses 1 and 5.
[00:04:09] Please, everyone, please stand and let us sing together.
[00:04:28] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]:
We three kings of all we can tar, bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, all beyond the star.
[00:04:49] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.
[00:05:13] Alleluia!
[00:05:29] Alleluia!
[00:05:30] Shout to the earth and skies!
[00:05:36] Star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Blessed were thee still, O sea, Guide us to thy perfect light.
[00:06:08] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
The intentions for this morning's Mass for the eternal peace of Frank Longcar and of course family in our prayers as well today and for Ann Welch and Curtis and all the family in our prayers.
[00:06:22] In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
[00:06:27] Amen.
[00:06:27] The Lord be with you.
[00:06:28] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
And with your spirit.
[00:06:31] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins on this Solemnity of Epiphany.
[00:06:37] Acknowledge our faults or failures in asking God for mercy and peace.
[00:06:51] Lord Jesus, you called us to new life in the Spirit.
[00:06:54] Lord, have mercy.
[00:06:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
Lord, have mercy.
[00:06:57] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
You are the Good Shepherd leading and guiding your flock.
[00:07:01] Christ, have mercy.
[00:07:04] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
Christ, have mercy.
[00:07:04] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
You intercede for us with your Father.
[00:07:07] Lord, have mercy.
[00:07:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
Lord, have mercy.
[00:07:10] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
[00:07:20] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_12]:
Amen.
[00:07:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]:
We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you.
[00:07:55] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
We give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, Heavenly King, O God, Almighty God.
[00:08:00] Lord Jesus Christ, only begotten Son Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father You take away the sins of the world Have mercy on us You take away the sins of the world
[00:08:27] Receive our prayer You are seated at the right hand of the Father Have mercy on us For you alone are the Holy One You alone are the One
[00:08:48] You are the Most High, Jesus Christ You are the Holy Spirit In the glory of God the Father Amen
[00:09:20] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Let us pray.
[00:09:21] 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
[00:09:42] May be brought to behold the beauty of your sublime glory.
[00:09:47] Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
[00:09:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
Amen.
[00:10:21] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
[00:10:27] Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem.
[00:10:30] Your light has come.
[00:10:32] The glory of the Lord shines upon you.
[00:10:36] See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds covers the peoples.
[00:10:44] But upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears his glory.
[00:10:52] Nations shall walk by your light and kings by your shining radiance.
[00:10:59] Raise your eyes and look about.
[00:11:01] They all gather and come to you, your sons from afar and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.
[00:11:13] Then you shall be radiant at what you see.
[00:11:16] Your heart shall throb and overflow.
[00:11:21] For the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you.
[00:11:24] The wealth of the nations shall be brought before you.
[00:11:31] Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephath.
[00:11:38] All from Sheba shall come, bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the Lord.
[00:11:50] The Word of the Lord.
[00:11:51] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
Thanks be to God.
[00:12:22] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]:
Lord, every nation on earth will adore you Lord, every nation on earth will adore you
[00:12:46] O God, give your judgment to the king, to a king's son, your justice, that he may judge your people in justice and your poor in right judgment.
[00:13:10] Every nation on earth will adore you In his days shall justice flourish And great peace till the moon is no more He shall rule from sea to sea
[00:13:39] From the river to the bounds of the earth For every nation on earth will adore you The kings of Tarshish and the islands shall pay him tribute
[00:14:06] The kings of Sheba and Seba shall bring him gifts Before him all kings shall fall prostrate All nations shall sing
[00:14:28] For every nation on earth will adore you For he shall save the needy when they cry The poor and those who are helpless
[00:14:53] He will have pity on the weak and the needy and save lives of the needy.
[00:15:08] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
[00:15:43] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians.
[00:15:49] Brothers and sisters, you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for your benefit, namely that the mystery was made known to me by revelation.
[00:16:03] It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit
[00:16:14] That the Gentiles are co-heirs, members of the same body, and co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.
[00:16:28] The Word of the Lord.
[00:16:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
Thanks be to God.
[00:16:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
[00:17:18] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]:
We saw his star at his rising and have come to do him homage.
[00:17:35] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Alleluia!
[00:17:41] Alleluia!
[00:17:42] Alleluia!
[00:17:51] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
The Lord be with you.
[00:17:52] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
And with your spirit.
[00:17:55] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.
[00:18:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
Glory to you, O Lord.
[00:18:05] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
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?
[00:18:21] We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.
[00:18:29] When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
[00:18:34] Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
[00:18:46] They said to him, In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet, And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, since from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.
[00:19:05] Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance.
[00:19:14] He sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search diligently for the child.
[00:19:21] When you have found him, bring me word that I too may go and do him homage.
[00:19:30] After their audience with the king, they set out, and behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
[00:19:44] They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house,
[00:19:51] They saw the child with Mary his mother.
[00:19:54] They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
[00:19:57] They opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
[00:20:06] And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.
[00:20:14] The Gospel of the Lord.
[00:20:21] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
[00:20:32] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
The celebration of Epiphany is one of great joy
[00:20:37] throughout the church and in their different customs in different cultures someone was relating to me last night that this was in his youth this was the time for the exchange of gifts the solemnity of Epiphany as the Magi presented their gifts to the Lord and the Holy Family it's a scene that's been depicted in art
[00:21:05] I noticed on many of my Christmas cards that I received had this scene and usually it's a typical scene of the Magi going through the desert or the wilderness following the star to the place where the Holy Family was.
[00:21:27] Last Sunday after visiting our Nativity set
[00:21:33] The person who asked me said, Father, where is the camel?
[00:21:38] And I said, well, it's been reported to me, it's been spotted on the way, and it's expected to arrive by Epiphany.
[00:21:48] So we do have the camel, and Mr. Camel and Mr.
[00:21:53] Elephant have arrived just in time for Epiphany with the wise men.
[00:21:59] And that is really the meaning of magi we have in the lectionary.
[00:22:04] It's an original word, it's not translated.
[00:22:07] The magi came from the East.
[00:22:13] The definition is really those who are learned.
[00:22:17] We might say like in today's language, something like the scholars, the professors, those who had studied.
[00:22:26] and again in the ancient world you study anthropology you know that many of the ancient cultures they had people who studied the sky especially on a on a clear night you know and it was before the time of all the smoke and smog and everything and and the city lights and they could really get a very clear view we can have the same thing if you go out to
[00:22:52] A rural area or even out on the water somewhere you can really see the beauty of the night sky.
[00:23:00] And so they saw something that was out of the ordinary for them.
[00:23:05] This great star and they saw this as a sign of a new king.
[00:23:12] They went to Jerusalem.
[00:23:16] They went to King Herod and the question was
[00:23:19] Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
[00:23:25] Now, Herod was somewhat of a great paranoid and very jealous.
[00:23:31] He's somebody who had a terrible temper, even having members of his own family killed.
[00:23:42] And so he wasn't even really a religious person.
[00:23:49] He said, well, I'm the king of the Jews.
[00:23:50] He had connections in Rome, which he was kind of a home ruler.
[00:23:54] And so he was very upset about this, but he didn't want to let that on with the Magi.
[00:24:01] He said, well, you go.
[00:24:02] Once he asked his scholars, his own scribes, well, where is the Messiah to be born?
[00:24:11] They said, well, in Bethlehem of Judea.
[00:24:14] So he says, well go and search for the child and then bring me news that I may also go.
[00:24:20] So that is the scene they went to and they found the Holy Family and offered their gifts.
[00:24:30] Tradition has their names passed down, not in the scriptures, but
[00:24:36] Past on through the tradition of Gaspar, Melchor, and Balthazar.
[00:24:43] Even invoked in a sense of home blessings at the beginning of the year.
[00:24:50] The tradition is this is our Lord's manifestation to the nations.
[00:24:58] We even have that since if you come and look at our nativity set, they represent different cultures or different races as Christ came for a universal mission.
[00:25:11] Even their gifts have, in a sense, a spiritual significance.
[00:25:14] They're gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
[00:25:18] Gold, of course, the gift for royalty, for a king, our Lord, the king of all kings, of
[00:25:26] Frankincense, a sign of divinity.
[00:25:29] We use incense in adoration, for example.
[00:25:33] And the myrrh, which is kind of a foreshadowing of the cross used in the funeral rites.
[00:25:44] And if you come and look at our Nativity set, you'll see the baby Jesus with arms outstretched.
[00:25:50] In a certain sense, even in
[00:25:54] The manger, a prefiguration of the cross, stretching out his arms in love on the cross.
[00:26:03] We have in this reading from Ephesians from the Apostle St. Paul, you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace.
[00:26:15] Plentiful.
[00:26:16] The stewardship of God's grace.
[00:26:18] Often we look at stewardship as our return to the Lord, but this is a stewardship of God's grace, an outpouring of grace on the people.
[00:26:29] And as the Apostle goes on to say that Gentiles are co-heirs, members of the same body.
[00:26:38] I remember years ago, I used to be a little bit confused by that scripture.
[00:26:42] You have Jews and Gentiles, and I actually looked it up.
[00:26:45] Well, what actually does that mean, Gentile?
[00:26:48] Basically, the short definition of it is a non-Jew.
[00:26:52] So when you say Jews and Gentiles, you're basically saying everyone Jews, and then everybody else, in a sense, connected as a Gentile.
[00:27:03] But again, one family in faith.
[00:27:08] The Magi, in a certain sense, followed the light, the light of the star, and some astronomers have even looked to try to explain this as something from nature, whether alignment of planets or exploding star or some other phenomena.
[00:27:30] They're able to go back through their study to see what might have been happening in the sky at that time.
[00:27:39] The main thing is they saw something and they followed it and it really changed their lives.
[00:27:46] They followed the light to Bethlehem and the tradition is they didn't keep the message to themselves, they shared it in their travels.
[00:27:59] So in a sense the Magi were really the first missionaries
[00:28:04] to talk about the birth of the Messiah and they carried that through in their traditions and that's why they were wise.
[00:28:17] The scripture has it that they received a message and a dream not to return to Herod, Herod being very jealous and paranoid, and they returned to their country
[00:28:30] by another way.
[00:28:31] It shows there too, anyone who has touched an encounter with Christ, the life has changed.
[00:28:38] Never be the same again.
[00:28:40] New life in Christ.
[00:28:45] So that's a message for us also to be the wise people of today, to seek the Lord and be open
[00:28:58] to a change in direction, a change in life, and really the sense of the Magi following them in a mission.
[00:29:09] Just a few words about 2026.
[00:29:11] I think there is a sense of hope in a new year.
[00:29:17] The very expression, I've heard it many times over the last few days, Happy New Year.
[00:29:23] I think there is an expression of hope that
[00:29:28] Whatever happened in the last year or the year before that, mistakes maybe won't be repeated, but there can be a growth in the spiritual life.
[00:29:38] Certainly, I recognize that many people, especially after the feast of Christmas,
[00:29:45] You wouldn't believe how many cookies, cakes, and even this year a lot of candy came into the office.
[00:29:53] All very tempting and all of that.
[00:29:55] So there is a certain sense, just from a physical fitness type standpoint, yes, perhaps some of us could maybe have a little bit better nutrition in the new year, maybe a little more exercise and all of that, which certainly is very important.
[00:30:13] We only have one
[00:30:14] We've got to take care of it.
[00:30:17] But I would recommend always some spiritual resolutions as well.
[00:30:23] I was chatting with our servers when I was in grade school.
[00:30:27] We came back from the Christmas break.
[00:30:28] We would write out our resolutions.
[00:30:32] So if we had a bad memory, there'd be some record of it somewhere.
[00:30:36] Maybe the teacher would say, wait a minute.
[00:30:38] Didn't you make a resolution to do your homework on time or something like that?
[00:30:42] There'd be a record of it.
[00:30:44] But I would recommend some spiritual resolutions, perhaps some who have a time during the week.
[00:30:51] We have Mass every day, and those who make a commitment to a daily Mass certainly understand the reality of the help of sanctifying grace.
[00:31:03] One of my grandmothers, pretty much, she was a daily communicant
[00:31:06] Pretty much her whole adult life and even getting off work when she was working to attend like a noon mass or something and even to her final days at 96 years old.
[00:31:19] And so that was a great inspiration for me.
[00:31:22] Perhaps some people if their work schedule or they're retired or school, home from school, to attend a mass.
[00:31:31] Prayer.
[00:31:31] I think people realize the importance of prayer on a daily basis.
[00:31:39] It could be prayer from the heart, a daily rosary, a chaplet, reading scripture, for example, the readings of the day, participating in Bible study or some type of thing like that, a great resolution for us.
[00:31:58] Perhaps starting this year, a ministry.
[00:32:02] Participating in a ministry in the church, one of our councils or commissions, liturgical ministries, music ministry, volunteering somehow.
[00:32:15] There are many ways in a big parish like this, there are many ways for people to participate.
[00:32:22] So that's something, and even our works of mercy.
[00:32:26] You know, we have
[00:32:28] Cooperation with Christian Mission Feed NC and it's always enriching for me if I go to the hospital and see one of our parishioners volunteering at the hospital or hospice you know be getting out in the community and helping out in some way so again in for a new year in a sense of maybe a new commitment we have
[00:32:59] Life in Christ and certainly to put our faith into practice.
[00:33:28] I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
[00:33:37] 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.
[00:33:55] Through him all things were made.
[00:33:57] For us men, for our salvation, he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit, was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
[00:34:08] For our sake he was crucified, 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.
[00:34:25] He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.
[00:34:31] I believe in the Holy Spirit.
[00:34:35] I am 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.
[00:34:46] I believe in one holy Catholic and apostolic Church.
[00:34:51] I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead.
[00:34:58] and the life of the world to come.
[00:35:00] Amen.
[00:35:02] In hope we pray for the needs of the church and the world.
[00:35:19] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
For all civil officials that they may cooperate together for the greater good, let us pray to the Lord.
[00:35:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_12]:
Lord, hear our prayer.
[00:35:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
For the Feast of the Epiphany may inspire missionaries throughout the Church.
[00:35:33] Let us pray to the Lord.
[00:35:34] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_12]:
Lord, hear our prayer.
[00:35:37] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
For the safety of all those in law enforcement, the military, and emergency services, let us pray to the Lord.
[00:35:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_12]:
Lord, hear our prayer.
[00:35:47] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
As we celebrate the birth of Christ in the Christmas season, we pray for an advance towards a culture of life where all lives will be respected and appreciated.
[00:35:58] Let us pray to the Lord.
[00:36:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Lord, hear our prayer.
[00:36:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
For the many needs of the poor, let us pray to the Lord.
[00:36:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Lord, hear our prayer.
[00:36:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
For the eternal rest for all the faithful departed and for the consolation of the family members and the friends who miss them, let us pray to the Lord.
[00:36:19] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Lord, hear our prayer.
[00:36:22] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
For an advance in the peace in our world this year, let us pray to the Lord.
[00:36:28] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Lord, hear our prayer.
[00:36:31] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
That our parishioners may strive to follow the peaceful example of St. Therese and our mission statement by loving God, following Jesus, and serving all, let us pray to the Lord.
[00:36:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Lord, hear our prayer.
[00:36:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
For a positive response to the call to serve in a religious vocation or ministry in the Church, let us pray to the Lord.
[00:36:57] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Lord, hear our prayer.
[00:37:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
For the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts.
[00:37:14] May they be answered in accord with God's will.
[00:37:18] Let us pray to the Lord.
[00:37:20] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Lord, hear our prayer.
[00:37:23] Eternal and gracious God, we lift up our prayers to you, and we ask that you grant them through Christ our Lord.
[00:37:38] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
Amen.
[00:37:38] For our preparation hymn, please join us in singing in our Gather Hymnal, number 465, As with Gladness, Men of Old, number 465.
[00:37:54] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
As with gladness men of old Did the guiding star behold As with joy they hailed its light
[00:38:21] Leading onward, leading bright So most gracious Lord may we Evermore your splendor see And with joyful steps they sped To that lowly manger bed
[00:38:51] There to bend the knee before, Here wounded and earth adored, So may we with holy grace, Run to seek your throne of grace.
[00:39:16] As they offered his most rare At that manger rude and rare So may we this holy day
[00:39:33] God to you without delay All our closest trashes bring Christ to you our heavenly King Holy Jesus, every day
[00:39:58] Keep us in the narrow way, And when earthly things are past, Bring our ransomed souls at last.
[00:40:16] Where they need no star to guide Where no clouds nor glory hide In the heavenly city bright None shall be created blight
[00:40:42] Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy
[00:41:17] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the Almighty Father.
[00:41:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy church.
[00:41:36] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Look with favor, Lord, we pray, on these gifts of your church, in which are offered not gold or frankincense or myrrh, but he who by them is proclaimed, sacrificed, and received, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns forever and ever.
[00:42:01] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
Amen.
[00:42:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
The Lord be with you.
[00:42:03] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
And with your spirit.
[00:42:05] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Lift up your hearts.
[00:42:06] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
We lift them up to the Lord.
[00:42:08] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
[00:42:11] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
It is right and just.
[00:42:14] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation always and everywhere to give you thanks.
[00:42:19] Lord, Holy Father, almighty and eternal God, for today
[00:42:26] You have revealed the mystery of our salvation in Christ as a light for the nations.
[00:42:34] And when he appeared in our mortal nature, you made us new by the glory of his immortal nature.
[00:42:45] And so, with angels and archangels, with thrones and dominions,
[00:42:51] and with all the hosts and powers of heaven we sing the hymn of your glory as without end we acclaim
[00:43:15] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Pentecost, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy,
[00:43:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
You are indeed holy, O Lord, and all you have created rightly gives you praise.
[00:44:07] For through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, by the power and working of the Holy Spirit, you give life to all things and make them holy, and you never cease to gather a people to yourself, so that from the rising of the sun to its setting,
[00:44:25] A pure sacrifice may be offered to your name.
[00:44:31] Therefore, O Lord, we humbly implore you, by the same Spirit graciously made holy, these gifts we have brought to you for consecration, that they may become the Body and Blood of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, at whose command we celebrate these mysteries.
[00:44:52] For on the night he was betrayed,
[00:44:55] He himself took bread, and giving you thanks, he said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my body, which will be given up for you.
[00:45:27] In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took the chalice, and giving you thanks, he sent a blessing and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying, Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many,
[00:45:55] For the forgiveness of sins, do this in memory of me.
[00:46:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
The mystery of faith Save all, save all of the world For by your cross and by your exalt You have set us free
[00:47:01] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate the memorial of the saving Passion of Your Son, His wondrous resurrection and ascension into heaven, and as we look forward to His second coming, we offer You in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.
[00:47:24] Look, we pray, upon the oblation of Your Church,
[00:47:27] and recognizing the sacrificial victim by whose death you will to reconcile us to yourself.
[00:47:34] Grant that we who are nourished by the Body and Blood of your Son and filled with His Holy Spirit, we may become one body, one spirit in Christ.
[00:47:47] May He make of us an eternal offering to you so that we may obtain inheritance with your elect.
[00:47:53] Especially with the most blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with blessed Joseph, her spouse, with your blessed apostles and glorious martyrs, with Saint Therese and with all the saints on whose constant intercession in your presence we rely for unfailing help.
[00:48:14] May this sacrifice
[00:48:16] of our reconciliation we pray oh Lord advance the peace and salvation of all the world be pleased to confirm in faith and charity your pilgrim church on earth with your servant Leo our Pope and Michael our Bishop the order of bishops all the clergy and the entire people you have gained for your own
[00:48:43] Listen graciously to the prayers of this family whom you have summoned before you.
[00:48:50] In your compassion, O merciful Father, gather to yourself all your children scattered throughout the world.
[00:49:03] To our departed brothers and sisters and to all who were pleasing to you at their passing from this life, give kind admittance to your kingdom.
[00:49:14] There we hope to enjoy forever the fullness of your glory through Christ our Lord through whom you bestow on the world all that is good.
[00:49:35] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Through Him and with Him and in Him, O God, Almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is Yours, forever and ever.
[00:50:05] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching we dare to say
[00:50:23] Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil deliver us Lord we pray from every evil
[00:50:52] Graciously grant peace in our days, that by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
[00:51:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.
[00:51:13] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your apostles, Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, look not on our sins, but on the faith of your church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will, who live and reign forever and ever.
[00:51:35] The peace of the Lord be with you always.
[00:51:40] Let us offer each other a sign of peace.
[00:51:51] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Thanks for watching!
[00:52:16] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Love of God, you take away the sins of the world, and bless ye our God.
[00:52:43] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Love of God, you take away the sins of the world,
[00:52:44] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Let us sing our lives.
[00:53:08] Come, O God, you take away the sins of the world.
[00:53:09] Come, O God, you take away the sins of the world.
[00:53:22] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Behold the Lamb of God.
[00:53:23] Behold him who takes away the sins of the world.
[00:53:28] Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
[00:53:33] Lord, I am not worthy that you should under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
[00:54:25] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Let us pray.
[00:54:47] Let us pray.
[00:54:58] Let's pray.
[00:55:17] Let's pray.
[00:55:32] In Jesus' name, Amen.
[00:56:18] Let us pray.
[00:56:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Our first communion song will be number 436 in your gathered hymn, The Wood of the Cradle, number 436.
[00:57:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
of the Cross, Burying on my time of joy and of host.
[00:57:51] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Who is your mother?
[00:57:51] Who could it be?
[00:57:51] Born in a manger to die on a tree.
[00:57:52] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
This, this is Jesus the Lord, here in the body of the Lord.
[00:58:19] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Come, come, walk in His ways, near the manger, and rise from the grave.
[00:58:24] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Shepherds are sleeping deep in their dreams Angels awakened and what could it mean
[00:58:40] Who do you follow?
[00:59:03] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Who must we find?
[00:59:03] Atonement of nature, but not for its time.
[00:59:04] This, this is Jesus the Lord.
[00:59:05] The body and blood are one.
[00:59:26] Come, come, all ye creatures, kneel at the manger, and rise from your grave.
[00:59:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Starring the heavens, bearing the light
[00:59:37] Riding the stages that made us decide Where will you lead us?
[01:00:00] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Where can we be?
[01:00:00] A child born of mystery who died on a tree
[01:00:01] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
This, this is Jesus the Lord, given of body and blood,
[01:00:16] Come, all ye in His grace, Heal thy poor manger and light from the grave.
[01:00:41] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Come, all ye, come all ye first,
[01:00:41] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
All who seek Him, God's joy on the earth, Find Him a shelter, bright as heaven's wall, City of people whose love we know.
[01:01:09] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
This, this is Jesus,
[01:01:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Here in the body and blood of God Come, come, come in this place Here in the picture and eyes of the grave
[01:01:42] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
Our second communion hymn is number 461.
[01:01:51] What star is this in our gather hymnal?
[01:01:54] Number 461.
[01:02:13] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
A star is lit with beams so bright For all without the moon daylight Is sent to us a new-born King
[01:02:32] The tidings of our God to bring To discover, fulfill, what God decreed
[01:02:47] Come take up shall the sound proceed And all the eastern stages stand To read in them the Lord's command
[01:03:08] By the world's eyes the star displays, and in one light the heart conveys.
[01:03:34] He urges them with force benign to seek the given love of sight.
[01:03:37] In Jesus, God, the star of grace, He guides us all to seek your face, And God, our sun, both hearts refuse The guidance of your light to use.
[01:04:05] To God, the Father,
[01:04:08] of the Son and of the Spirit, three in one, made every tongue and nation raise an endless song of thankful praise.
[01:04:55] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Let's pray
[01:05:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Let us pray.
[01:05:28] Go before us with heavenly light, O Lord, always and everywhere that we may perceive with clear sight and revere with true affection the mystery in which you have willed us to participate through Christ our Lord.
[01:05:52] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
Amen.
[01:05:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
It's pancake day.
[01:06:00] The Knights of Columbus is hosting a pancake breakfast this morning.
[01:06:04] Come to the multi-purpose room after Mass and enjoy a hearty breakfast with fellow parishioners.
[01:06:11] The parish office will be closed on Saturday due to the annual leadership summit.
[01:06:17] Regular office hours will resume on Sunday.
[01:06:21] Sign-ups for Camp Covecrest are open until January 15th.
[01:06:27] This summer camp is for students from rising freshmen to graduating seniors.
[01:06:33] For details, contact Taylor Fernald at the Faith Formation office.
[01:06:40] There are a few St. Joseph Missals available for purchase in the parish office.
[01:06:45] Pick up your copy today.
[01:06:47] And please check the bulletin for more information about what's happening here at St. Therese.
[01:06:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
The Lord be with you.
[01:06:57] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
And with your spirit.
[01:06:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Bow down for God's blessing.
[01:07:00] May God, who has called you out of darkness into his wonderful light, pour out in kindness his blessing upon you and make your hearts firm in faith, hope, and charity.
[01:07:15] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
Amen.
[01:07:16] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
And since in all confidence you follow Christ, who today appeared in the world as a light shining in darkness, may God make you too a light for your brothers and sisters.
[01:07:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
Amen.
[01:07:32] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
And so, when your pilgrimage is ended, may you come to him whom the magi sought as they followed the star, and whom they found with great joy, the light from light, who is Christ the Lord.
[01:07:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
Amen.
[01:07:47] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
And may the blessing of Almighty God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit come down on you and remain with you forever.
[01:07:58] Amen.
[01:07:59] Go in peace.
[01:08:01] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
Thanks be to God.
[01:08:03] Our closing hymn is in our Gather Hymnal, the First Noel, verses 1 and 3.
[01:08:11] Number 460, the First Noel, 1 and 3.
[01:08:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
The first Noel the angel did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
[01:08:42] In fields where they lay keeping their sheep On a cold winter's night that was so deep Noel, Noel, Noel
[01:09:08] The Lord is the King of Israel And by the light of that same star Three wives have came from country far To sing for a King
[01:09:37] Was there intent That to follow the star Wherever it went Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel
[01:10:17] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
I know, I know
Respirations...
[00:00:47] In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
[00:01:08] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Amen.
[00:01:17] and more.
[00:01:50] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
There's a lot of different pieces I've learned.
[00:02:16] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Nice, Rachel.
[00:02:16] Nice.
[00:02:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
I have to see if it really comes up now.
[00:02:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
I guess it's all right.
[00:02:45] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
How beautiful.
[00:03:14] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
Good morning.
[00:03:34] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
We welcome any visitors who join us for worship on this, the Epiphany of the Lord.
[00:03:40] Please turn off your cell phones or set them to silent mode.
[00:03:45] For safety reasons, we ask that all children be accompanied by an adult when attending restrooms.
[00:03:52] Our presider for this Mass is Father Mark Lawler.
[00:03:57] Our gathering hymn is in our Gather Hymnal, We Three Kings of Orient Are, number 463, and we will sing verses 1 and 5.
[00:04:09] Please, everyone, please stand and let us sing together.
[00:04:28] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]:
We three kings of all we can tar, bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, all beyond the star.
[00:04:49] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.
[00:05:13] Alleluia!
[00:05:29] Alleluia!
[00:05:30] Shout to the earth and skies!
[00:05:36] Star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Blessed were thee still, O sea, Guide us to thy perfect light.
[00:06:08] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
The intentions for this morning's Mass for the eternal peace of Frank Longcar and of course family in our prayers as well today and for Ann Welch and Curtis and all the family in our prayers.
[00:06:22] In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
[00:06:27] Amen.
[00:06:27] The Lord be with you.
[00:06:28] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
And with your spirit.
[00:06:31] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins on this Solemnity of Epiphany.
[00:06:37] Acknowledge our faults or failures in asking God for mercy and peace.
[00:06:51] Lord Jesus, you called us to new life in the Spirit.
[00:06:54] Lord, have mercy.
[00:06:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
Lord, have mercy.
[00:06:57] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
You are the Good Shepherd leading and guiding your flock.
[00:07:01] Christ, have mercy.
[00:07:04] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
Christ, have mercy.
[00:07:04] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
You intercede for us with your Father.
[00:07:07] Lord, have mercy.
[00:07:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
Lord, have mercy.
[00:07:10] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
[00:07:20] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_12]:
Amen.
[00:07:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]:
We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you.
[00:07:55] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
We give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, Heavenly King, O God, Almighty God.
[00:08:00] Lord Jesus Christ, only begotten Son Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father You take away the sins of the world Have mercy on us You take away the sins of the world
[00:08:27] Receive our prayer You are seated at the right hand of the Father Have mercy on us For you alone are the Holy One You alone are the One
[00:08:48] You are the Most High, Jesus Christ You are the Holy Spirit In the glory of God the Father Amen
[00:09:20] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Let us pray.
[00:09:21] 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
[00:09:42] May be brought to behold the beauty of your sublime glory.
[00:09:47] Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
[00:09:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
Amen.
[00:10:21] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
[00:10:27] Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem.
[00:10:30] Your light has come.
[00:10:32] The glory of the Lord shines upon you.
[00:10:36] See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds covers the peoples.
[00:10:44] But upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears his glory.
[00:10:52] Nations shall walk by your light and kings by your shining radiance.
[00:10:59] Raise your eyes and look about.
[00:11:01] They all gather and come to you, your sons from afar and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.
[00:11:13] Then you shall be radiant at what you see.
[00:11:16] Your heart shall throb and overflow.
[00:11:21] For the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you.
[00:11:24] The wealth of the nations shall be brought before you.
[00:11:31] Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephath.
[00:11:38] All from Sheba shall come, bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the Lord.
[00:11:50] The Word of the Lord.
[00:11:51] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
Thanks be to God.
[00:12:22] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]:
Lord, every nation on earth will adore you Lord, every nation on earth will adore you
[00:12:46] O God, give your judgment to the king, to a king's son, your justice, that he may judge your people in justice and your poor in right judgment.
[00:13:10] Every nation on earth will adore you In his days shall justice flourish And great peace till the moon is no more He shall rule from sea to sea
[00:13:39] From the river to the bounds of the earth For every nation on earth will adore you The kings of Tarshish and the islands shall pay him tribute
[00:14:06] The kings of Sheba and Seba shall bring him gifts Before him all kings shall fall prostrate All nations shall sing
[00:14:28] For every nation on earth will adore you For he shall save the needy when they cry The poor and those who are helpless
[00:14:53] He will have pity on the weak and the needy and save lives of the needy.
[00:15:08] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
[00:15:43] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians.
[00:15:49] Brothers and sisters, you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for your benefit, namely that the mystery was made known to me by revelation.
[00:16:03] It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit
[00:16:14] That the Gentiles are co-heirs, members of the same body, and co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.
[00:16:28] The Word of the Lord.
[00:16:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
Thanks be to God.
[00:16:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
[00:17:18] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]:
We saw his star at his rising and have come to do him homage.
[00:17:35] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Alleluia!
[00:17:41] Alleluia!
[00:17:42] Alleluia!
[00:17:51] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
The Lord be with you.
[00:17:52] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
And with your spirit.
[00:17:55] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.
[00:18:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
Glory to you, O Lord.
[00:18:05] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
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?
[00:18:21] We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.
[00:18:29] When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
[00:18:34] Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
[00:18:46] They said to him, In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet, And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, since from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.
[00:19:05] Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance.
[00:19:14] He sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search diligently for the child.
[00:19:21] When you have found him, bring me word that I too may go and do him homage.
[00:19:30] After their audience with the king, they set out, and behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
[00:19:44] They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house,
[00:19:51] They saw the child with Mary his mother.
[00:19:54] They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
[00:19:57] They opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
[00:20:06] And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.
[00:20:14] The Gospel of the Lord.
[00:20:21] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
[00:20:32] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
The celebration of Epiphany is one of great joy
[00:20:37] throughout the church and in their different customs in different cultures someone was relating to me last night that this was in his youth this was the time for the exchange of gifts the solemnity of Epiphany as the Magi presented their gifts to the Lord and the Holy Family it's a scene that's been depicted in art
[00:21:05] I noticed on many of my Christmas cards that I received had this scene and usually it's a typical scene of the Magi going through the desert or the wilderness following the star to the place where the Holy Family was.
[00:21:27] Last Sunday after visiting our Nativity set
[00:21:33] The person who asked me said, Father, where is the camel?
[00:21:38] And I said, well, it's been reported to me, it's been spotted on the way, and it's expected to arrive by Epiphany.
[00:21:48] So we do have the camel, and Mr. Camel and Mr.
[00:21:53] Elephant have arrived just in time for Epiphany with the wise men.
[00:21:59] And that is really the meaning of magi we have in the lectionary.
[00:22:04] It's an original word, it's not translated.
[00:22:07] The magi came from the East.
[00:22:13] The definition is really those who are learned.
[00:22:17] We might say like in today's language, something like the scholars, the professors, those who had studied.
[00:22:26] and again in the ancient world you study anthropology you know that many of the ancient cultures they had people who studied the sky especially on a on a clear night you know and it was before the time of all the smoke and smog and everything and and the city lights and they could really get a very clear view we can have the same thing if you go out to
[00:22:52] A rural area or even out on the water somewhere you can really see the beauty of the night sky.
[00:23:00] And so they saw something that was out of the ordinary for them.
[00:23:05] This great star and they saw this as a sign of a new king.
[00:23:12] They went to Jerusalem.
[00:23:16] They went to King Herod and the question was
[00:23:19] Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
[00:23:25] Now, Herod was somewhat of a great paranoid and very jealous.
[00:23:31] He's somebody who had a terrible temper, even having members of his own family killed.
[00:23:42] And so he wasn't even really a religious person.
[00:23:49] He said, well, I'm the king of the Jews.
[00:23:50] He had connections in Rome, which he was kind of a home ruler.
[00:23:54] And so he was very upset about this, but he didn't want to let that on with the Magi.
[00:24:01] He said, well, you go.
[00:24:02] Once he asked his scholars, his own scribes, well, where is the Messiah to be born?
[00:24:11] They said, well, in Bethlehem of Judea.
[00:24:14] So he says, well go and search for the child and then bring me news that I may also go.
[00:24:20] So that is the scene they went to and they found the Holy Family and offered their gifts.
[00:24:30] Tradition has their names passed down, not in the scriptures, but
[00:24:36] Past on through the tradition of Gaspar, Melchor, and Balthazar.
[00:24:43] Even invoked in a sense of home blessings at the beginning of the year.
[00:24:50] The tradition is this is our Lord's manifestation to the nations.
[00:24:58] We even have that since if you come and look at our nativity set, they represent different cultures or different races as Christ came for a universal mission.
[00:25:11] Even their gifts have, in a sense, a spiritual significance.
[00:25:14] They're gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
[00:25:18] Gold, of course, the gift for royalty, for a king, our Lord, the king of all kings, of
[00:25:26] Frankincense, a sign of divinity.
[00:25:29] We use incense in adoration, for example.
[00:25:33] And the myrrh, which is kind of a foreshadowing of the cross used in the funeral rites.
[00:25:44] And if you come and look at our Nativity set, you'll see the baby Jesus with arms outstretched.
[00:25:50] In a certain sense, even in
[00:25:54] The manger, a prefiguration of the cross, stretching out his arms in love on the cross.
[00:26:03] We have in this reading from Ephesians from the Apostle St. Paul, you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace.
[00:26:15] Plentiful.
[00:26:16] The stewardship of God's grace.
[00:26:18] Often we look at stewardship as our return to the Lord, but this is a stewardship of God's grace, an outpouring of grace on the people.
[00:26:29] And as the Apostle goes on to say that Gentiles are co-heirs, members of the same body.
[00:26:38] I remember years ago, I used to be a little bit confused by that scripture.
[00:26:42] You have Jews and Gentiles, and I actually looked it up.
[00:26:45] Well, what actually does that mean, Gentile?
[00:26:48] Basically, the short definition of it is a non-Jew.
[00:26:52] So when you say Jews and Gentiles, you're basically saying everyone Jews, and then everybody else, in a sense, connected as a Gentile.
[00:27:03] But again, one family in faith.
[00:27:08] The Magi, in a certain sense, followed the light, the light of the star, and some astronomers have even looked to try to explain this as something from nature, whether alignment of planets or exploding star or some other phenomena.
[00:27:30] They're able to go back through their study to see what might have been happening in the sky at that time.
[00:27:39] The main thing is they saw something and they followed it and it really changed their lives.
[00:27:46] They followed the light to Bethlehem and the tradition is they didn't keep the message to themselves, they shared it in their travels.
[00:27:59] So in a sense the Magi were really the first missionaries
[00:28:04] to talk about the birth of the Messiah and they carried that through in their traditions and that's why they were wise.
[00:28:17] The scripture has it that they received a message and a dream not to return to Herod, Herod being very jealous and paranoid, and they returned to their country
[00:28:30] by another way.
[00:28:31] It shows there too, anyone who has touched an encounter with Christ, the life has changed.
[00:28:38] Never be the same again.
[00:28:40] New life in Christ.
[00:28:45] So that's a message for us also to be the wise people of today, to seek the Lord and be open
[00:28:58] to a change in direction, a change in life, and really the sense of the Magi following them in a mission.
[00:29:09] Just a few words about 2026.
[00:29:11] I think there is a sense of hope in a new year.
[00:29:17] The very expression, I've heard it many times over the last few days, Happy New Year.
[00:29:23] I think there is an expression of hope that
[00:29:28] Whatever happened in the last year or the year before that, mistakes maybe won't be repeated, but there can be a growth in the spiritual life.
[00:29:38] Certainly, I recognize that many people, especially after the feast of Christmas,
[00:29:45] You wouldn't believe how many cookies, cakes, and even this year a lot of candy came into the office.
[00:29:53] All very tempting and all of that.
[00:29:55] So there is a certain sense, just from a physical fitness type standpoint, yes, perhaps some of us could maybe have a little bit better nutrition in the new year, maybe a little more exercise and all of that, which certainly is very important.
[00:30:13] We only have one
[00:30:14] We've got to take care of it.
[00:30:17] But I would recommend always some spiritual resolutions as well.
[00:30:23] I was chatting with our servers when I was in grade school.
[00:30:27] We came back from the Christmas break.
[00:30:28] We would write out our resolutions.
[00:30:32] So if we had a bad memory, there'd be some record of it somewhere.
[00:30:36] Maybe the teacher would say, wait a minute.
[00:30:38] Didn't you make a resolution to do your homework on time or something like that?
[00:30:42] There'd be a record of it.
[00:30:44] But I would recommend some spiritual resolutions, perhaps some who have a time during the week.
[00:30:51] We have Mass every day, and those who make a commitment to a daily Mass certainly understand the reality of the help of sanctifying grace.
[00:31:03] One of my grandmothers, pretty much, she was a daily communicant
[00:31:06] Pretty much her whole adult life and even getting off work when she was working to attend like a noon mass or something and even to her final days at 96 years old.
[00:31:19] And so that was a great inspiration for me.
[00:31:22] Perhaps some people if their work schedule or they're retired or school, home from school, to attend a mass.
[00:31:31] Prayer.
[00:31:31] I think people realize the importance of prayer on a daily basis.
[00:31:39] It could be prayer from the heart, a daily rosary, a chaplet, reading scripture, for example, the readings of the day, participating in Bible study or some type of thing like that, a great resolution for us.
[00:31:58] Perhaps starting this year, a ministry.
[00:32:02] Participating in a ministry in the church, one of our councils or commissions, liturgical ministries, music ministry, volunteering somehow.
[00:32:15] There are many ways in a big parish like this, there are many ways for people to participate.
[00:32:22] So that's something, and even our works of mercy.
[00:32:26] You know, we have
[00:32:28] Cooperation with Christian Mission Feed NC and it's always enriching for me if I go to the hospital and see one of our parishioners volunteering at the hospital or hospice you know be getting out in the community and helping out in some way so again in for a new year in a sense of maybe a new commitment we have
[00:32:59] Life in Christ and certainly to put our faith into practice.
[00:33:28] I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
[00:33:37] 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.
[00:33:55] Through him all things were made.
[00:33:57] For us men, for our salvation, he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit, was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
[00:34:08] For our sake he was crucified, 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.
[00:34:25] He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.
[00:34:31] I believe in the Holy Spirit.
[00:34:35] I am 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.
[00:34:46] I believe in one holy Catholic and apostolic Church.
[00:34:51] I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead.
[00:34:58] and the life of the world to come.
[00:35:00] Amen.
[00:35:02] In hope we pray for the needs of the church and the world.
[00:35:19] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
For all civil officials that they may cooperate together for the greater good, let us pray to the Lord.
[00:35:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_12]:
Lord, hear our prayer.
[00:35:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
For the Feast of the Epiphany may inspire missionaries throughout the Church.
[00:35:33] Let us pray to the Lord.
[00:35:34] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_12]:
Lord, hear our prayer.
[00:35:37] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
For the safety of all those in law enforcement, the military, and emergency services, let us pray to the Lord.
[00:35:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_12]:
Lord, hear our prayer.
[00:35:47] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
As we celebrate the birth of Christ in the Christmas season, we pray for an advance towards a culture of life where all lives will be respected and appreciated.
[00:35:58] Let us pray to the Lord.
[00:36:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Lord, hear our prayer.
[00:36:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
For the many needs of the poor, let us pray to the Lord.
[00:36:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Lord, hear our prayer.
[00:36:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
For the eternal rest for all the faithful departed and for the consolation of the family members and the friends who miss them, let us pray to the Lord.
[00:36:19] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Lord, hear our prayer.
[00:36:22] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
For an advance in the peace in our world this year, let us pray to the Lord.
[00:36:28] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Lord, hear our prayer.
[00:36:31] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
That our parishioners may strive to follow the peaceful example of St. Therese and our mission statement by loving God, following Jesus, and serving all, let us pray to the Lord.
[00:36:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Lord, hear our prayer.
[00:36:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
For a positive response to the call to serve in a religious vocation or ministry in the Church, let us pray to the Lord.
[00:36:57] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Lord, hear our prayer.
[00:37:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
For the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts.
[00:37:14] May they be answered in accord with God's will.
[00:37:18] Let us pray to the Lord.
[00:37:20] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Lord, hear our prayer.
[00:37:23] Eternal and gracious God, we lift up our prayers to you, and we ask that you grant them through Christ our Lord.
[00:37:38] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
Amen.
[00:37:38] For our preparation hymn, please join us in singing in our Gather Hymnal, number 465, As with Gladness, Men of Old, number 465.
[00:37:54] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
As with gladness men of old Did the guiding star behold As with joy they hailed its light
[00:38:21] Leading onward, leading bright So most gracious Lord may we Evermore your splendor see And with joyful steps they sped To that lowly manger bed
[00:38:51] There to bend the knee before, Here wounded and earth adored, So may we with holy grace, Run to seek your throne of grace.
[00:39:16] As they offered his most rare At that manger rude and rare So may we this holy day
[00:39:33] God to you without delay All our closest trashes bring Christ to you our heavenly King Holy Jesus, every day
[00:39:58] Keep us in the narrow way, And when earthly things are past, Bring our ransomed souls at last.
[00:40:16] Where they need no star to guide Where no clouds nor glory hide In the heavenly city bright None shall be created blight
[00:40:42] Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy
[00:41:17] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the Almighty Father.
[00:41:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy church.
[00:41:36] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Look with favor, Lord, we pray, on these gifts of your church, in which are offered not gold or frankincense or myrrh, but he who by them is proclaimed, sacrificed, and received, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns forever and ever.
[00:42:01] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
Amen.
[00:42:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
The Lord be with you.
[00:42:03] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
And with your spirit.
[00:42:05] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Lift up your hearts.
[00:42:06] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
We lift them up to the Lord.
[00:42:08] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
[00:42:11] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
It is right and just.
[00:42:14] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation always and everywhere to give you thanks.
[00:42:19] Lord, Holy Father, almighty and eternal God, for today
[00:42:26] You have revealed the mystery of our salvation in Christ as a light for the nations.
[00:42:34] And when he appeared in our mortal nature, you made us new by the glory of his immortal nature.
[00:42:45] And so, with angels and archangels, with thrones and dominions,
[00:42:51] and with all the hosts and powers of heaven we sing the hymn of your glory as without end we acclaim
[00:43:15] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Pentecost, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy,
[00:43:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
You are indeed holy, O Lord, and all you have created rightly gives you praise.
[00:44:07] For through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, by the power and working of the Holy Spirit, you give life to all things and make them holy, and you never cease to gather a people to yourself, so that from the rising of the sun to its setting,
[00:44:25] A pure sacrifice may be offered to your name.
[00:44:31] Therefore, O Lord, we humbly implore you, by the same Spirit graciously made holy, these gifts we have brought to you for consecration, that they may become the Body and Blood of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, at whose command we celebrate these mysteries.
[00:44:52] For on the night he was betrayed,
[00:44:55] He himself took bread, and giving you thanks, he said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my body, which will be given up for you.
[00:45:27] In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took the chalice, and giving you thanks, he sent a blessing and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying, Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many,
[00:45:55] For the forgiveness of sins, do this in memory of me.
[00:46:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
The mystery of faith Save all, save all of the world For by your cross and by your exalt You have set us free
[00:47:01] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate the memorial of the saving Passion of Your Son, His wondrous resurrection and ascension into heaven, and as we look forward to His second coming, we offer You in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.
[00:47:24] Look, we pray, upon the oblation of Your Church,
[00:47:27] and recognizing the sacrificial victim by whose death you will to reconcile us to yourself.
[00:47:34] Grant that we who are nourished by the Body and Blood of your Son and filled with His Holy Spirit, we may become one body, one spirit in Christ.
[00:47:47] May He make of us an eternal offering to you so that we may obtain inheritance with your elect.
[00:47:53] Especially with the most blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with blessed Joseph, her spouse, with your blessed apostles and glorious martyrs, with Saint Therese and with all the saints on whose constant intercession in your presence we rely for unfailing help.
[00:48:14] May this sacrifice
[00:48:16] of our reconciliation we pray oh Lord advance the peace and salvation of all the world be pleased to confirm in faith and charity your pilgrim church on earth with your servant Leo our Pope and Michael our Bishop the order of bishops all the clergy and the entire people you have gained for your own
[00:48:43] Listen graciously to the prayers of this family whom you have summoned before you.
[00:48:50] In your compassion, O merciful Father, gather to yourself all your children scattered throughout the world.
[00:49:03] To our departed brothers and sisters and to all who were pleasing to you at their passing from this life, give kind admittance to your kingdom.
[00:49:14] There we hope to enjoy forever the fullness of your glory through Christ our Lord through whom you bestow on the world all that is good.
[00:49:35] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Through Him and with Him and in Him, O God, Almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is Yours, forever and ever.
[00:50:05] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching we dare to say
[00:50:23] Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil deliver us Lord we pray from every evil
[00:50:52] Graciously grant peace in our days, that by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
[00:51:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.
[00:51:13] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your apostles, Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, look not on our sins, but on the faith of your church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will, who live and reign forever and ever.
[00:51:35] The peace of the Lord be with you always.
[00:51:40] Let us offer each other a sign of peace.
[00:51:51] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Thanks for watching!
[00:52:16] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Love of God, you take away the sins of the world, and bless ye our God.
[00:52:43] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Love of God, you take away the sins of the world,
[00:52:44] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Let us sing our lives.
[00:53:08] Come, O God, you take away the sins of the world.
[00:53:09] Come, O God, you take away the sins of the world.
[00:53:22] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Behold the Lamb of God.
[00:53:23] Behold him who takes away the sins of the world.
[00:53:28] Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
[00:53:33] Lord, I am not worthy that you should under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
[00:54:25] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Let us pray.
[00:54:47] Let us pray.
[00:54:58] Let's pray.
[00:55:17] Let's pray.
[00:55:32] In Jesus' name, Amen.
[00:56:18] Let us pray.
[00:56:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Our first communion song will be number 436 in your gathered hymn, The Wood of the Cradle, number 436.
[00:57:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
of the Cross, Burying on my time of joy and of host.
[00:57:51] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Who is your mother?
[00:57:51] Who could it be?
[00:57:51] Born in a manger to die on a tree.
[00:57:52] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
This, this is Jesus the Lord, here in the body of the Lord.
[00:58:19] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Come, come, walk in His ways, near the manger, and rise from the grave.
[00:58:24] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Shepherds are sleeping deep in their dreams Angels awakened and what could it mean
[00:58:40] Who do you follow?
[00:59:03] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Who must we find?
[00:59:03] Atonement of nature, but not for its time.
[00:59:04] This, this is Jesus the Lord.
[00:59:05] The body and blood are one.
[00:59:26] Come, come, all ye creatures, kneel at the manger, and rise from your grave.
[00:59:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Starring the heavens, bearing the light
[00:59:37] Riding the stages that made us decide Where will you lead us?
[01:00:00] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Where can we be?
[01:00:00] A child born of mystery who died on a tree
[01:00:01] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
This, this is Jesus the Lord, given of body and blood,
[01:00:16] Come, all ye in His grace, Heal thy poor manger and light from the grave.
[01:00:41] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Come, all ye, come all ye first,
[01:00:41] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
All who seek Him, God's joy on the earth, Find Him a shelter, bright as heaven's wall, City of people whose love we know.
[01:01:09] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
This, this is Jesus,
[01:01:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Here in the body and blood of God Come, come, come in this place Here in the picture and eyes of the grave
[01:01:42] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
Our second communion hymn is number 461.
[01:01:51] What star is this in our gather hymnal?
[01:01:54] Number 461.
[01:02:13] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
A star is lit with beams so bright For all without the moon daylight Is sent to us a new-born King
[01:02:32] The tidings of our God to bring To discover, fulfill, what God decreed
[01:02:47] Come take up shall the sound proceed And all the eastern stages stand To read in them the Lord's command
[01:03:08] By the world's eyes the star displays, and in one light the heart conveys.
[01:03:34] He urges them with force benign to seek the given love of sight.
[01:03:37] In Jesus, God, the star of grace, He guides us all to seek your face, And God, our sun, both hearts refuse The guidance of your light to use.
[01:04:05] To God, the Father,
[01:04:08] of the Son and of the Spirit, three in one, made every tongue and nation raise an endless song of thankful praise.
[01:04:55] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Let's pray
[01:05:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Let us pray.
[01:05:28] Go before us with heavenly light, O Lord, always and everywhere that we may perceive with clear sight and revere with true affection the mystery in which you have willed us to participate through Christ our Lord.
[01:05:52] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
Amen.
[01:05:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
It's pancake day.
[01:06:00] The Knights of Columbus is hosting a pancake breakfast this morning.
[01:06:04] Come to the multi-purpose room after Mass and enjoy a hearty breakfast with fellow parishioners.
[01:06:11] The parish office will be closed on Saturday due to the annual leadership summit.
[01:06:17] Regular office hours will resume on Sunday.
[01:06:21] Sign-ups for Camp Covecrest are open until January 15th.
[01:06:27] This summer camp is for students from rising freshmen to graduating seniors.
[01:06:33] For details, contact Taylor Fernald at the Faith Formation office.
[01:06:40] There are a few St. Joseph Missals available for purchase in the parish office.
[01:06:45] Pick up your copy today.
[01:06:47] And please check the bulletin for more information about what's happening here at St. Therese.
[01:06:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
The Lord be with you.
[01:06:57] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
And with your spirit.
[01:06:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Bow down for God's blessing.
[01:07:00] May God, who has called you out of darkness into his wonderful light, pour out in kindness his blessing upon you and make your hearts firm in faith, hope, and charity.
[01:07:15] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
Amen.
[01:07:16] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
And since in all confidence you follow Christ, who today appeared in the world as a light shining in darkness, may God make you too a light for your brothers and sisters.
[01:07:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
Amen.
[01:07:32] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
And so, when your pilgrimage is ended, may you come to him whom the magi sought as they followed the star, and whom they found with great joy, the light from light, who is Christ the Lord.
[01:07:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
Amen.
[01:07:47] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
And may the blessing of Almighty God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit come down on you and remain with you forever.
[01:07:58] Amen.
[01:07:59] Go in peace.
[01:08:01] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
Thanks be to God.
[01:08:03] Our closing hymn is in our Gather Hymnal, the First Noel, verses 1 and 3.
[01:08:11] Number 460, the First Noel, 1 and 3.
[01:08:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
The first Noel the angel did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
[01:08:42] In fields where they lay keeping their sheep On a cold winter's night that was so deep Noel, Noel, Noel
[01:09:08] The Lord is the King of Israel And by the light of that same star Three wives have came from country far To sing for a King
[01:09:37] Was there intent That to follow the star Wherever it went Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel
[01:10:17] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
I know, I know
