Jan 8 2006

Mt 2:1-12 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its risingand have come to do him homage.”When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: 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.” Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He 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.” After 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. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and 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. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.
The magi are warned in a dream to not return to Herod. They are joyful when they see the child Jesus and Mary. They have followed the star and found the treasure that they had sought. They return to their countries by another route in order to avoid Herod. There are different times in the Bible when the message from God comes in the form of a dream. To me this means that the whole of my being is used by God to inform me of God's will. There are times when I do not fully understand the meaning of dreams or events but I need to listen with my heart for the truth in what is happening. I pray this morning for an open and willing heart to God's will. I pray for the strength to continue the journey wherever that may lead.

The gifts of the magi are a common topic for homilies. The myrrh foretelling of the death of Jesus as a spice that was used in burial rites. The gifts are an honoring of the child and a recognition of the child as the Messiah, the one who will save those in darkness. The magi appear to be a learned group from a foreign land who show wisdom and humility.

The life of Jesus begins in a humble setting with his family in a less favored physical setting for a new child. There was no room at the inn for them. They were given some kindness by the innkeeper and not turned away totally but took the least preferred place of all the one used usually for only animals. In this poverty was a time of great joy and signs of the favor of God on this lowly family. The joy was mixed with the sadness of the impending evil threatened by Herod in his jealous struggle for control and power. The magi are warned in a dream, Joseph is warned in a dream and the son of God, the king, the Messiah is soon to become the young one in flight of evil in search of refuge in Egypt. It is to me a lesson.

The ideal of a world of all good and no evil did not exist for Jesus from the time of birth. Instead of always searching for the ideal, perhaps I should be grateful for the journey wherever it may take me. In the case of Jesus it is a repeat of the journey of Joseph to Egypt. Joseph escaped death at the hands of his brothers and began a new life that flourished. Joseph had no bitterness for his brothers when they later returned in need but gave to them with an open heart and joy. The new year begins with the thoughts of good and evil, the mystery, challenge and reward of faith and the journey with Jesus.