1.6.26 - The Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord

   Northern Virginia Catholic Bible Study & Apologetics  1/6/26

Every Tuesday, 7PM-8PM. This meeting is a lecture/Q&A format. It is free. 

Meetings on Meetup: www.meetup.com/catholicbiblestudy

Past classes are posted on our Catholic Catacombs Website:  www.CatholicCatacombs.org 

House rules/notes…

1. Our meetings/classes are on ZOOM every Tuesday, 7-8 PM. Sign up for Zoom notifications and to receive meeting reminders at www.meetup.com/catholicbiblestudy.  Zoom ID: 861 1782 2081  Password: 406952.  

2. RSVP Reminder:  Please RSVP whether you are attending the meeting or just reading the Recaps afterwards. The more RSVPs, the more Meetup will give exposure to “Catholic Bible Study” – a good thing! 

3. Questions. We encourage questions although we ask that you keep them on topic and brief. You can ask during the meeting, or in the chat box, or if you prefer you can email us through Meetup.com, or Ron directly: ron@hallagan.net. 

4. Recaps. Within a day or two after each meeting, we will post the edited meeting notes of our discussions on our website, www.catholiccatacombs.org. Taylor will notify everyone when this is posted and provide you with a link.

5. Respectfulness. We will be discussing differences between Christian denominations and religions in general, and we seek to be respectful at all times. Protestants especially are our friends and brothers-in-Christ; in fact, I personally owe much of my return to the faith to them! 

6. No politics.  It would be easy for us to self-destruct, but that’s not our goal :). Our goal is to learn, understand, and apply the Bible and our Catholic faith to our everyday lives. 

7. “The Chosen” TV series.  All of us seek a relationship with Jesus Christ, which is not always easy. It can help if we have seen and heard Him. The Chosen series captures Jesus better than any show I have ever seen. Highly recommended.  

8. Catholic Prayer & Fellowship. Are you interested in praying the rosary, etc. with other Catholics during the week?  Follow fellow member Jason Goldberg at https://www.meetup.com/online-catholic-prayer-fellowship-and-spirituality/.  

9. Cursillo. Interested in meeting weekly over coffee to discuss how God is involved in your personal and professional life? Join Cursillo (cur-see-yo). Initiation is a 3-day retreat at Mission Hurst in Arlington. For men’s groups, contact Ron (ron@hallagan.net) and Jennifer Pence (Jennifer.pence@gmail.com) for women’s groups.      

Format:  Each week of the month has a repeating theme, as noted below.

    Wk 1:    Gospel Week – we study several Gospel stories, especially difficult ones!     

    Wk 2:    Bible Week – we are working our way through the Bible. We are studying the prophets!

    Wk 3:    Questions and Survey Topics chosen by Members:       

Fathers of the Church, Heresies, Church Councils    2) Near Death Experiences    3) Jesus prefigured & prophesied in the OT    4) Apparitions and modern miracles  6) What happens to pets after they die. 7) Prison ministry stories  8) Review of Plenary and Partial Indulgences again

        Wk 4:    Apologetics:

1. Gen 1-3 (Creation Story, Adam & Eve, the Fall of Man, The Meaning of the Trees) 

2. Faith and Doubt

3. Deeper meanings of the Mass    

Format for each class:

• 15 min Catholic Reflection/Apologetic   

• 15 min Upcoming Gospel Reading

• 30 min  Weekly Topic/Theme

            1 hour

Our Bible Study is a combination of Exegesis and Apologetics.

                            Study and interpretation of Scripture         A reasoned defense of the faith 

Taylor will send a link to everyone with today’s notes.

Also, the class is recorded if you want to listen to it anytime.

Reader for the day…

Opening Prayer  

Heavenly Father,

The hopes and longings of Your Old Covenant people were fulfilled in Jesus, the Messiah

and we are ever mindful that the great blessing of our salvation is a blessing meant to be shared.  

As we study Matthew's account of the Magi and then Jesus’ Baptism thirty years later, we ask for Your guidance not only in our study but in our mission as apostles of Christ.  

And as Augustine taught us to pray …

Glory Be…

to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

Major holy days:  The Epiphany – Jan 6 (moved to Sun, 4th)

Baptism of the Lord – Jan 11

Mass Times/Confession anywhere: www.masstimes.org

Today’s Agenda 

1. Congratulations to Katie, MBA program at C.U.

2. Reflections – How many Christmas seasons?  How many Epiphanies?

3. The Epiphany, The Visit of the Wise Men, Matthew 2:1-12

4. Gospel Reading for this Sun, Jan 11 – The Baptism of the Lord, Matthew 3:13-17

Quote of the Week:

“The difficulty, my friends, is not in avoiding death, but in avoiding unrighteousness; for that runs faster than death.” – Socrates’ Apology

‘Tis the Confusion…

Christmas Octave – Dec 25 (Birth of Christ/Christmas Day) to Jan 1 (Mary, Mother of God)

Twelve Days of Christmas – Christmas Day to the Epiphany (Jan 6).

Christmas Season: Christmas Day to the Baptism of the Lord (week after Epiphany)

Reflection: Epiphany

What does Epiphany mean?

The word “epiphany” comes from the Greek word epiphania for “revelation,” “to make known,” or “sudden insight.” As applied to Christianity, it refers to 1) the unveiling of who Jesus was to the world: the long-awaited Savior who turned out not only to be the Messiah but God-incarnate, and 2) that Jesus came not only for the Jews but for every people and nation on earth. 

Under this double-definition, how many epiphanies were there in the New Testament? 

• How about the Annunciation? 

• What about the Shepherds who, enlightened by the angels. 

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• The Magi, who followed the star and all the way to Bethlehem.

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• How about the Presentation at the Temple, with Simeon and the Prophetess Anna? 

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• What about the Baptism of Jesus, with John’s proclamations, the dove coming down on Jesus, and the voice from God?

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• What about Jesus’ first miracle at Cana? 

We could go on, but we use the arrival of the Magi to celebrate the official Epiphany because it announces the extension of salvation to the Gentiles and to all the nations. 

The Solemnity of the Epiphany is officially celebrated around the world on January 6, although some countries (like us) actually celebrate it on the first Sunday after January 1. 

Gospel – Epiphany of the Lord – Part II, Matthew 2:1-12

Context:  

Let’s read the opening passage:

Now 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.”

Who were the Magi?  Astrologists, astronomers, philosophers, wise men, scientists, or kings?  

They could have been all of them because, except for kings, as they all meant the same thing; and although not kings, they would have been advisors to the king. Astrology was the advanced astronomy of the time, and they often drew meaning from the stars when discerning human affairs. They were more advanced than we might think, as they knew the locations and movements of the stars, planets, and constellations, and were able to predict their arrivals in the sky, including eclipses.

Q:  Any clues or ideas about where the Magi came from?

Scripture only says that the Magi “came from the east.” Although many traditions suggest Persia or India, those are somewhat problematic. Scripture always records the Persia as being located to the north and was a 1000 miles away – and India 2500 miles away. Several of the early Church Fathers wrote that they came from the Arabia – which could mean Nabataea – and this possibility still holds today. Arabia was considered to be to the East of Israel.

The Nabataeans were originally nomadic Bedouin tribes from the Arabian Desert. Between the 4th and 2nd centuries BC, they emerged as a distinct civilization and political entity with their kingdom centered around a loosely controlled trading network that brought considerable wealth and influence across the ancient world. Described as fiercely independent by contemporary Greco-Roman accounts, they were not part of the Roman Empire at the time of Christ. One historian described the Nabataeans as "one of the most gifted peoples of the ancient world."

Another reason the Nabateans make sense is that many Jews escaped to Nabataea during the Babylonian Exile. This would explain how the “Magi” would have known about the prophesies of the star and the Messiah.   

Why is the arrival of the Magi used for the official Epiphany?   

Because the Magi were Gentiles. The Bible uses the shepherd’s visit at Jesus’ Nativity as a message of humility, and the Magi to show the world that Jesus came for everyone, not just the Jews. This detail cannot be overlooked, for it sets the stage for the Gospel to go out to all the world.

The Visit of the Wise Men – Matthew 2:1-12

Matthew 2:1-12

Now 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 Messiah 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. Then 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.

How many Magi were there?  

We assume three, but only because they were bearing three gifts. Three Magi is logical and even likely, but the fact is that we don’t know. 

Bethlehem was about 5 miles southwest of Jerusalem. What was unique about Jesus being born in Bethlehem?

It was the birthplace of King David. It was also the birthplace of Joseph, who was a descendent of David (Mary is also of the house of David). This is important because the Messiah was prophesied to come from the line of David.   

What was the star called that led the Magi to Bethlehem? 

None of the Church fathers – even Aquinas – believed this was a natural phenomenon. It was not a normal star – it was low in the sky and at the end it hovered over where the Holy Family was in Bethlehem, which could not have been with a star or comet in space. It was always seen as a miracle from the outset. 

The most common name used has been the Star of Bethlehem. Scripture only refers to it as “his star” (Mt 2:2), meaning the star of the newborn King of the Jews. It is not the Star of David, which evolved in Judaism over the centuries after Christ, culminating in being the symbol on the Israeli flag in 1948.  

When did the Magi come? 

We assume the Magi came at the birth of Christ because the Nativity scene shows it that way – and the songs, too. But that’s just a popular story  based on a misreading of the text. 

Are there any clues in the passage above that the Magi’s visit was not at the time of Jesus’ birth?

Yes, in V6-7.  They found the “child” Jesus (not infant) living in a “house” in Bethlehem, not in a stable. The best estimate we have is 1-2 years old. Even Herod knew to slay all the children under the age of two. 

Exegesis:  How could Jesus be about 2 years old and still reside in Bethlehem? Didn’t Jesus grow up in Nazareth? 

Clearly, they did not return to Nazareth right away because the Holy Family fled Bethlehem to Egypt to escape Herod. Bethlehem was Joseph’s hometown so staying there would not have been strange, especially since he was a craftsman/builder, he could work anywhere. 

When they fled to Egypt, they stayed there a few years (estimates based on the death of Herod in 4BC). Joseph was informed in a dream when Herod died and the Holy Family returned to Israel. Realizing Herod’s crazy son was in charge of Judea, he took the family back to Nazareth where Jesus was then raised. Jesus may have been 4-5 years old then.  

Was it possible that Herod really sent his soldiers to Bethlehem to kill all the children under the age of two?

Yes. History records that Herod was a psychopath. He had killed half his family due to paranoia over losing his throne. Just imagine when the Magi told him the “new king of the Jews” had been born! 

Caesar Augustus, who placed Herod on the throne and protected him, was quoted saying, “I would rather be Herod’s pig than his son.” 

What were the meanings of gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh?

• Gold – Kingly Messiah

• Frankincense – Priestly Messiah. It is made from the resin of the Boswellia tree for making perfume and incense. Since the time of the Exodus, it was used as sacred incense for the most holy place in the Tabernacle that God had them build in the desert. 

• Myrrh – Suffering Messiah. Myrrh was an ointment made from the sap of the thorny myrrh tree.  It had several uses but one was to embalm dead bodies (it has a nice scent and slowed decay). That is meaningful in Jesus’ case since he came to die for us.   

What contrasts do we see between the chief priests and the Magi? 

The difference was one group was open and seeking with great intensity and the other was comfortable and not wanting to rock the boat and jeopardize their powerful positions. Amazingly, Herod’s chief priests made no effort to come find the Messiah, and yet they knew the prophecies!  

The lesson for all of us is that the star represents God in our lives, and the story highlights the importance of evaluating where we stand vis-a-vis God, all the time. Are we closer than before? Do our stops in Jerusalem – the events in our lives – deter us from following Him? If so, we may need to change directions.       

Our last verse today says: 

And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way. 

As the Blessed Fulton Sheen said, 

“Of course they returned by a different way. You never come to Christ and go back the same way you came.”

Gospel Reading, The Baptism of the Lord, Matthew 3:13-17

The Baptism of the Lord marks the end of the Christmas Season and the beginning of 34 weeks of Ordinary Time (interrupted by Advent/Easter). Who recalls what “Ordinary Time” means? 

The chronological “order” of the Gospels from Jesus’ birth to his Ascension. 

Context 

I mentioned before that Matthew’s Gospel is written for Jewish audience, since they were the great majority of first Christians. Therefore, Matthew’s Gospel must be read with the Old Testament/Old Covenant in mind since he makes constant allusions to it, and his audience would understand all those connections. For example, when we hear about “The proclamation of the Kingdom of Heaven” in Matthew's gospel, it is the assertion that the Law of the Old Testament promises are now being fulfilled.  

John the Baptist was the last and greatest of the Old Covenant prophets who was sent to prepare the way for the Messiah, the Christ. His ministry was enthusiastically received by the people since no prophet had been sent by God to the people in over 400 years (Malachi, mid-400s BC)!

John’s title of Baptist, or “Immerser,” stems from his practice of purifying the Jews in the waters of the Jordan River as a symbol of their repentance and renewal in preparation for the forgiveness of their sins and the coming of the Messiah. It was not real a real baptism like Christ instituted but more preparatory and temporary. 

What were the ritual baths for, if not forgiveness of their sins? 

Jewish ritual baths and purifications were primarily intended to restore ritual purity after contact with sources of impurity like corpses, bodily discharges, or emissions, enabling Israelites to approach the sacred spaces without defiling the tabernacle or temple.  (Lev 45-15)

John is baptizing in the Jordan River. What is significant about this location on the east bank of the Jordan across from Jericho? 

This was the same site where the children of Israel camped before Joshua led them across from the desert after 40 years into the Promised Land.  

      Location of the Baptism of Jesus and where Joshua crossed.        The location of Jesus’ Baptism in the present day (pilgrimage). 

While John the Baptist’s story brings an end to the Christmas Season and makes way for the Ordinary Season, notice also that he also brings an end to the Old Testament as Jesus begins the New Testament. As we proceed with the reading and our exegesis, we will see many other connections to the Old Testament occurring. These are not by accident. 

Matthew 3:13-17

Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.

John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?”

Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

Then he allowed him.

After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. 

And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Exegesis (investigation, analysis, interpretation):

At first, John is hesitant to give Jesus his baptism of repentance. Why?

John recognized that Jesus was without sin and therefore had no reason to repent.

Why does Jesus tell John that His baptism is "fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness"?

The first explanation is that in the Bible, “righteousness” is usually defined as being obedient to God. So Jesus is saying they are being obedient to the Father, unlike Adam & Eve. 

Why does God want this? 

Because God’s purpose in Jesus becoming human is that justice requires a human undo the Fall of Man. He is to become the first human to do everything right so that Heaven can be reopened for us. Not only must he be obedient to the end, he must love to the end (what does he say on the cross about his enemies?), and who else can take on, and pay for, all the sins of mankind besides God becoming man? How crazy is it that God would want to be united the a bunch of sinners? Jesus’ immersion in the Jordan is to show his solidarity with sinners as well as the inauguration of his mission to take away the sins of the world. 

A second explanation, which is equally true, is that righteousness is the opposite of sin. In fact, righteousness offsets sin. We can think of righteousness as a heavenly treasury. That’s what Jesus means when he said not to store up treasures on earth but in Heaven (Mt 6:19-21). When we sin, it is a debt. The Our Father actually translates as “forgive us our debts.” When we forgive others, we add to our treasury – or we cancel out some of our debts. When Jesus says in today’s passage that he must be baptized to fulfill all righteousness, he is saying that he has come to cancel out all our debts/sins.  

And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

There are two connections (fulfillments) God’s words have to the OT. Any ideas? 

1. Isaiah. Fulfillment of a prophecy in Isaiah who lived in the 7th century BC. Isaiah 42:1-4:  

Thus says the LORD: Here is My Servant whom I uphold, My Chosen One with whom I am pleased,

I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall bring justice to the nations.

He will not cry out, or raise his voice, or make his voice heard in the streets.

The bruised reed he shall not break and a smoldering flax he shall not quench, but he will bring justice to the earth. 

2. Isaac. Fulfillment of the promise of Isaac’s sacrifice. In Gen 22, God stops Abraham from sacrificing his “only begotten son” and provides a substitute. Abraham knew that God would someone make it right since Isaac was the future offspring God promised. When asked beforehand where the sacrifice was, Abraham said, “God will provide himself the lamb for the offering.” As John said, “Behold, the lamb of God…” Now the “substitute” – for us and our sins – will be Jesus. (Note that the same mountain Isaac was to be sacrificed was the same mountain where Jesus will be crucified.) 

What three things happened at the moment Jesus came up out of the water?

1. The heavens opened

2. The Spirit of God descended like a dove and came upon Him

3. A voice was heard from heaven

What is the significance of the heavens opening?  What catastrophic event happened when Adam and Eve fell from grace?

Since the time of the Fall of man, the heavens were closed.  With Jesus’ baptism by John, which anticipates Jesus 

baptism of blood, the gates of heaven are opened again to man.

What is significant about the Spirit of God taking the form of a dove?  

Looking backwards (OT), there’s a connection to Noah. God sent the waters of the Great Flood to address man's sin, cleansing the earth of man's sin to give mankind a new beginning. At the end of the flood, Noah released a dove. The dove flew over the waters of chaos but found no place to land. The second time Noah released the dove, it returned to him with a green sprig in its beak from an olive tree, a sign that the renewed earth was habitable again.  

When Jesus came up out of the water after his baptism, God the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove and remained with Him. This event signified and prefigured the new creation that the sacrament of Christian Baptism will confer upon believers when the Spirit comes down and remains "in the purified hearts of the baptized.” (CCC 701).

For Christians the dove has become a sign of the Holy Spirit, and He is often depicted this way in Christian iconography. 

In today’s passage, for the first time in salvation history, a central mystery of Christian faith is revealed. How is the mystery of the Holy Trinity revealed in Jesus' baptism and what is the significance in association with the event?

God the Father's voice is heard from heaven, the Holy Spirit descends in the form of a dove, and Jesus, God the Son, is present. The significance of the event is:

1. Jesus' baptism becomes His official anointing as the Davidic-Messiah.

2. It is the confirmation of His divine Sonship.

3. It is a sign that prefigures the Christian baptism.

Closing Prayer: 

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