Matthew 2:1-12
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.
* * *
Introductory Prayer: Lord, thank you for your perfect gift of
yourself: coming as a humble child born of Mary. The thought of you as a
helpless little babe lying in a manger fills my heart with confidence. I know
that you could never be capable of deceiving me, since you have divested
yourself of all greatness so that I can gaze upon you. You deserve all my hope
and all my love, which I humbly offer you now.
Petition: Lord,
I ask you for a heart truly receptive to your message.
1. We Saw
His Star: Those who are sincere of heart find God
in their life. In the case of the Magi, their sincerity is shown by what they
are willing to sacrifice to attain their goal. The journey required abandoning
the comforts of their homeland, the needs of their family members, and the
pursuit of wealth. The intention was pure, not muddled with self-centered
wants, for it was nothing less than the desire to encounter God’s living
presence. Their openness of heart permitted God to speak through many things in
their world—from astrology to Herod, from the star to the child in the crib.
What will it take for me to find God today? I must put aside all but him and
let his hand lead me to that definitive encounter with his divine presence.
2. Warned
Not to Return to Herod: No star is offered to Herod or to the
worldly, only darkness. The worldly may like the idea of God, and even be
curious about him, but they disregard his call. They rarely leave their palace,
sacrifice their time, or place themselves at the service of the divine. The
prideful lovers of comfort leave their palaces and then oddly claim God is
nowhere to be found in the world. They fear the loss of a comfortable world. I
pray that my heart be open to all that the living Gospel requires in my life.
May Christ find no obstacle in me; rather, may he find in me the will to leave
my palace so that I might find and follow him.
3. Then
They Opened Their Treasures: In order to give love, I must have been
impacted by love. How can I hold to the demands that others place upon me? How
can I keep true to my vocation and mission when little affirmation and support
come my way? Every morning I need to seek out the God who gives unconditionally
so that his giving may impact me. Be it at Mass, in prayer, or in the workings
of divine providence, every day a necessary epiphany awaits me. It empowers me
to open my coffer and bring forth the gift of self. If I do not experience this
love, my life remains closed—no interior strength is found to give myself
totally. John tells us: “In this is love, not that we love God, but that he
loved us and sent his Son to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Brothers, if
God so loved us, we too ought to love each other…. We love because he first
loved us” (1 John 4:8, 20).
Conversation
with Christ:
Christ, your love for me compels me to give myself and hold nothing back. I
have touched a moment in human history that overwhelms my comprehension and
conquers my heart for you. May I give myself as you give yourself to me: at Mass,
in prayer, and in souls you call me to serve.
Resolution: I will work to
improve my charity with the members of my family today, loving them as Christ
does.