Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in Judea, during the days of king Herod, wise men from the East arrived in Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
We saw the rising of his star in the East and have come to honor him.” When Herod heard this he was greatly disturbed, and with him all Jerusalem. He immediately called a meeting of all high ranking priests and teachers of the law,
and asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In the town of Bethlehem in Judea,” they told him, “for this is what the prophet wrote: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least among the clans of Judah,
for from you will come a leader, one who is to shepherd my people Israel.” Then Herod secretly called the wise men and asked them the called the wise men and asked them the precise time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem with these instructions, “Go and get accurate information about the child. As soon as you have found him, report to me, so that I, too, may go and honor him.” After the meeting with the king, they set out
The star that they had seen in the East went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. The wisemen were overjoyed on seeing the star again. They went into the house, and when they saw the child with Mary his mother, they knelt and worshiped him. They opened their bags and offered him their gifts of gold, incense and myrrh. In a dream they were warned not to go back to Herod, so they returned to their home country by another way.
Reflection:
The Magi brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh and offered it to the new born king. Gold is for the Kingship of the new born Christ, frankincense is a burnt offering to God, and myrrh is used for one who would die. Thus, their adoration is grounded in the truths of who this Child is. If we are to adore Christ properly, we must also honor Him in this threefold way.
The magi were called “wise” because they attend to things that matter. That is why it does not matter that they are far from the birthplace of the Messiah. They see His star rising and they immediately set out to see Him.
Lord, may we cultivate mindfulness in our daily lives so that we know things in bigger perspectives.
