January 3, 2010
THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORDIs 60:1-6 /
Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6/
My 1-12
A startling vision is embedded in the Second Vatican Council document The Church in the Modern World: Any one who helps futher the development of the human race also helps the catholic Church (Gaudium et Spes, 44).
We are meant to live the real world-the world that the messy, confusing, complex, and dangerous. God step into the stage of this world. The Spirit works at at every level of human affairs. Christ calls us to act. Thus, Vatican II called us to read the sign of the times.
What led the Magi’s steps? How did they interpret the signs they saw? Starting with stars, they were soon immersed in a deeper search.
Whom did Herod trust? Did he trust the Scripture? He had his advisors search the prophet to make sense of what wise men were saying. Herod trusted the Book of Micah enough to fear a new ruler. He tried to draw the wise men into sinister plan, but the Magi sensed something. Scripture doesn’t say they agreed to help, but they must have given Herod the sense that they took him seriously.
The Magi are savvy. They show courage at each stage of the story. They’re not afraid to think on their feet. They’re not afraid to against the plans of those in power. They’re not afraid to take a route different from the one they’d planned to take.
They would do well in the modern world.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: To navigate “by the stars” is a very important factor in the life of a seaman. To study and learn from the stars is a very important factor in the work of astrologers. To follow the “star” of Bethlehem is as important in our life as in the life of Magi, with one difference, the star in our life being the church which guides us in our faith. Never lose sight of this earthly star.