Wednesday Gospel Webinar Portsmouth Diocese – Formation for Mission

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

Literal meaning Where? Matthew 2– infancy narratives – in Jerusalem and Bethlehem When? At the time of the birth of Jesus What? The visit of the Magi from the East Who? Jesus, King Herod, magi, Jerusalem, chief priests, scribes, Mary How? Mysterious journey from the East through Jerusalem Why? Epiphany, Revelation, universality, journey of faith

Kingship The King of the Jews The shepherd of Israel King Herod The wise ‘Kings’ Kingly homage Kingly gifts

Finding God Epiphany Revealed in the heavens Revealed in nature Revealed to Pagans Revealed through Scripture King, God and Man

Finding the human person The search for God The adoration of God vs The rejection of God The Competition with God Faith and Reason – the joy of Faith

Finding the Church The Epiphany of God The poverty of the Church The house of Jesus and Mary Universal Gold, frankincense and myrrh

Mary, Virgin and Mother, you who, moved by the Holy Spirit, welcomed the word of life in the depths of your humble faith: as you gave yourself completely to the Eternal One, help us to say our own “yes” to the urgent call, as pressing as ever, to proclaim the good news of Jesus.   Mother of the living Gospel, wellspring of happiness for God’s little ones, pray for us. Amen. Alleluia.

Acknowledgments Mosaics artworks: © Fr Marko Rupnik and Centro Aletti www.centroaletti.com With gratitude to the Wednesday Word www.wednesdayword.org