Mt 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 the 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, the one who is to shepherd my people Israel.”
Then Herod secretly called the wise men and asked them the precise time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem with instructions, “Go and get these 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 wise men 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
READ: Isaiah prophesied that the Light of God is to be revealed in Jerusalem. The splendor of the Light of God will be seen through Jerusalem and nations will come to see and share this light. This Light is not only for Jerusalem this is for all nations. The Gospel of Matthew narrated that the rising of the star of new born King has been seen by the Astrologers and they are looking for him to honor him. King Herod was disturbed learning this news and feel threatened instead of being inspired of the splendor of the Light of the new born King.
REFLECT: Do we see the light of God? The Light of God has been revealed in the person of Jesus through the Scriptures. But oftentimes people, do not see its splendor because they treat the Scriptures only as a source of information and not as a book of faith. The Knowledge of the Astrologers to see the signs of the times and the humility of doing their work shows the wisdom needed to see the Glory of the Light of God. Are we inspired by the light of God or do we feel threatened like King Herod?
PRAY: Let us pray that we may able to discover the Light of God deep within our being. He created us good let this goodness be radiant. He allows us to be steward of His Light, let us be good stewards of igniting the splendor of His Light and be humble in accepting and rejoicing the witness of the Light from others. Amen.
ACT: Rejoice in the Light of God in you. Identify and affirm God’s manifestation in the goodness done by your neighbor.
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