Our year 2019 was opened January 1st with the celebration of the Solemnity of Mary as the Mother of God. This feast day means that as we welcome the New Year, we have our Blessed Mother to accompany us and guide us in our journey. We just need to allow her to be part of our daily lives. She can also bring us to a close encounter with her Son, Jesus Christ. So we need to keep her by our side. One powerful tool she taught us is praying the rosary. It connects us to her and her Son in prayer.
This Sunday, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Lord’s Epiphany. Epiphany means the manifestation of the majesty and divinity of the newborn Savior. The gospel this Sunday narrates the story of the Magi who were led by a star to the place where Jesus was born. They paid Him homage and offered their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to signify Jesus’ identity as King, priest, and prophet for all.
With this story, we can see that from the very start, the missionary aspect of our faith is clear: Jesus, God’s greatest gift to the world, must be shared with everyone to all the ends of the world. Jesus is not for our sole keeping but for all and for always. Blessings given to us are not for us to keep. Blessings are to be shared and to be used according to God’s plan. Likewise, our faith is to be shared. We should not just be grateful receivers, we should also become joyful givers!
On this solemnity, let us be sharers of our faith and be joyful givers like the magi of what they experienced after they encountered Jesus and manifested to them.
One tradition being done on this day is the blessing of our homes. Below you will find a prayer that you can pray, led by the head of the household.
Leader: Let us praise God, who fills our hearts and homes with peace. Blessed be God forever. Response: Blessed be God forever.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling place among us. It is Christ who enlightens our hearts and homes with his love. May all who enter this home find Christ’s light and love.
Leader: The Son of God made his home among us. With thanks and praise let us call upon him. R/. Stay with us, Lord.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, with Mary and Joseph you formed the Holy Family: remain in our home, that we may know you as our guest and honor you as our Head. We pray: R/. Stay with us, Lord.
Leader: Lord J esus Christ, the three magi presented their gifts to you in praise and adoration: grant that those living in this house may use their talents and abilities to your greater glory. We pray: R/. Stay with us, Lord.
After the intercessions the leader invites all present to say the Lord’s Prayer. Then leader says the prayer of blessing:
Lord God of heaven and earth, you revealed your only-begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star. Bless our house and all who dwell here. Fill them (us) with the light of Christ, that their (our) concern for others may reflect your love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R/. Amen.
The leader concludes the rite by signing himself or herself with the sign of the cross and saying:
May Christ Jesus dwell with us, keep us from all harm, and make us one in mind and heart, now and forever. R/. Amen.
(excerpt from Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers)