Leader/Student: Let us start our prayer by making the Sign of the Cross.

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Leader/Student- Let us Pray:

Arise, shine, for the Light of the World has come!
Darkness covers the earth and its people,
but the radiance of God’s Light
burns away its shadows,
illuminates the smallest corner,
and heralds in the start
of a new dawn,
where hearts no longer fear,
souls might be set free,
and sister shall follow brother,
nation shall follow nation,
and kings and princes bow down in awe
before the one who comes to reign.
Arise, shine, for the Light of the World has come!
Alleluia!

Amen

Leader/Student: We end our prayer by making the Sign of the Cross.

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Leader/Student: Let us start our prayer by making the Sign of the Cross.

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

The Epiphany is a celebration of the ‘revelation’ of God in human flesh. Today the Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th and is a holy day of obligation meaning that you should attend Mass. In many European countries it is the Epiphany, rather than Christmas (Feast of the Nativity), is the day of gift-giving. This is in commemoration of the gifts of the Magi taken from Matthew 2:1-12.

Leader/Student- Let us Pray:

Father God, the star that led the Magi to the stable announced to the world that its Saviour was born. Today we live in a world that is still covered by darkness, and still needing to make that journey to the stable door. May our lives reflect your light day by day, as we seek to serve where you have placed us. That we might be the means through which others can encounter Jesus Christ. Amen

Leader/Student: We end our prayer by making the Sign of the Cross.

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Leader/Student: Let us start our prayer by making the Sign of the Cross.

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Do you put your trust in God?

The Magi were guided by a star, they left their wealth and put their trust in God.

• The Magi studied all the texts that were available to them and they thought about what they had read.
• They listened to the advisors to Herod who used the Old Testament to tell them about where to expect the new King of the Jews; Messiah.
• They studied and listened. They enquired with an open mind and believed that Jesus was the Messiah.

How will you let God guide you this week? Will you, like the Magi, be open minded, listen and study?

God guides us and shows the right way to live our lives, and so we pray to God together:

Leader/Student- Let us Pray:

We pray for all the leaders in the world: that they may be moved not to think of their own power and wealth but to rule wisely and do what is right for all their people.

Lord, in your mercy… Hear our prayer.

We pray for the Church throughout the world: that it may shine like the star, leading people to Jesus, and spread God’s message of justice, peace and love.

Lord, in your mercy… Hear our prayer.

Generous God, we give thanks for all that you have given us. Open our hearts to follow you so that all that we do may be guided by your love. We make this prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Leader/Student: We end our prayer by making the Sign of the Cross.

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Leader/Student: Let us start our prayer by making the Sign of the Cross.

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Listen to the lyrics to the hymn below. It will be familiar but you may not have heard this version:

The Magi showed real trust.  Trust that the star would guide them to a new king, trust in scripture that had foretold the birth in Bethlehem and trust in God when he told them to return home a different way and not to tell King Herod where the baby Jesus was.

It takes a lot of courage to tryst someone. Who do you trust?  What is it about that person that makes them trust worthy? How could you improve your trust in others or become a more trustful person?

Leader/Student- Let us Pray:

God whose love reaches to the highest heavens
how can we keep silent?
God whose righteousness stands like the tallest mountain
how can we keep silent?
God whose justice is deeper than any ocean
how can we keep silent?
God whose grace flows like a never-ending river
how can we keep silent?
How can we not proclaim your majesty
from generation to generation?
How can we not raise the lamp of your Salvation
for all the world to see?
God whose love reaches to the highest heavens
we praise your mighty name!

Amen

Leader/Student: We end our prayer by making the Sign of the Cross.

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Leader/Student: Let us start our prayer by making the Sign of the Cross.

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

As always, we take time to listen to and reflect on Sunday’s Gospel…

Leader/Student: We end our prayer by making the Sign of the Cross.

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.