Saturday, January 06, 2007
Epiphany Sunday
Matthew 2:9-12
Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And there in front of them was the star they had seen rising: it went forward and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother, Mary; and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. But they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, and returned to their own country by a different way.
The gifts of Jesus had meanings to them. Gold symbolises Kingship and wealth. Frankincense as perfume or since it is incense, divine authority. Myrrh, an embalming oil, symbolising death.
St John Chrysostom suggested that the gifts were fit to be given not just to a king, but to God. The Magi, Zoroastrian Priests, had nothing to do with the Messiah, for they were not Jewish. However, they recognised the signs of the coming of the King of Kings, Jesus. They then prepared gifts, rightful for a king, and more than that, what best they could offer, to God.
There is also a Christian meaning to the gifts. Gold being virtue, Frankincense beingprayer and Myrrh being suffering. These were the 3 things evident in Jesus' life and these are the 3 we are called to have in our lives. We should grow in virtue, pray unceasingly, in the words of St Paul, and never be afraid of suffering in giving Christ to others.
So what can we do or how can we apply this in our life?
For the Magi, the 3 gifts they could offer were Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.
For us, however, the best gift we, as Christians, could offer are our lives. God gave us life. The best gift we could offer God is what we have done with this gift of life he has given us.
These are evident in our responses to God's call in our daily living. It is a greater choice to accept his call. For God, our creator, knows what is best because he created us. In addition, the response 'No Choice' is also a choice. So give the best, not something you have 'No Choice' with or something you do not wish to do.
Jesus said, and our late Holy Father, Pope John Paul II affirmed this-"Take Courage. It is I (Jesus). Do not be afraid."
Let us unite and harken to the Lord's call as the psalmist writes, "If today, you listen to his voice, do not harden your hearts."
Amen.
Feel Lonely @Saturday, January 06, 2007
