The Visit of the Magi

Today's Reflections 

 

 

 

January 8, 2012

Solemnity of the Lord’s Epiphany
White

Is 60:1-6
Ps 72
Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6
Mt 2:1-12

The Visit of the Magi

¹When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, ²saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” ³When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. ⁵They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet:

⁶‘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.’ ”

⁷Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. ⁸He 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.” ⁹After 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. ¹⁰They were overjoyed at seeing the star, ¹¹and 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. ¹²And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

Reflection:

We saw his star. The Church proclaims the revelation of God to the whole world. God reveals and makes himself accessible to all men and women. Everyone, without exception, can come to God anytime, anywhere.

The Lord’s Epiphany invites us to reflect on two truths about life.

First, life is a call. God invites us to a life of union with him. Everyone is called; no one is excluded. God wants all to be saved and calls us from our old life of sin to new life with him.

But if, like Herod, we hold on to power and position, comfort and convenience, prestige and popularity, we will turn a deaf ear to God’s call.

Second, life is a journey to God, who always makes it easy for us to find him. God gives us directions but leaves us free to use these. God provides a star to light and guide our path to him. Unfortunately, there are other “stars”—like power, wealth, success, and popularity—that could lead us astray. These can cloud our vision and keep us from seeing the true star leading us back to the Father.

Only Jesus, the true light, can bring us home to God. With Jesus guiding us in our journey, we will always find our way back to God.

Be sure that you are following Jesus the true star.