Skip to main content
The celebration of the epiphany of our Lord is a joyous occasion. Each year when I listen to the scripture readings at Mass, I try to learn something new. God always makes sure that I hear something new and that it applies to my current situation. That happened with certainty this morning. The new item for me this year was the visit of the magi. They followed the star that led them to Mary, Joseph and the new born King. The interesting thing to me was that they visited Jesus in a house, not a manger ("They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother."). How then did He get from the manger to the house? A quick search explains that often inns at that time rented the upper room (much like the one Jesus used to meet with his disciples for the last supper) and provided bare essentials. Realizing that Mary was very near childbirth, the innkeeper probably provided a manger or animal trough for the newborn. So does it make a difference if Jesus was born in the barn or inside the house? Not to me. The event that we celebrate is the birth of our Lord and Savior. He was certainly born in a humble setting away from his parent's house. Even then, Jesus was relying on the kindness of strangers. Even then He was providing an opportunity for people to "do for the least." We can assume with very high accuracy that the innkeeper did not know of the majesty of the baby about to born in his house. I wonder if his family knew? Was there someone in the innkeepers family who worked in Herod's palace that had heard of this new king to be born that was causing Herod such concern? Did an angel of God appear to the innkeeper or a member of his family? We do not hear this part of the story. The innkeeper and his family are then similar to you and me. We live by our faith and are strengthened by the promises that Jesus made to us. We are confident that our Father God, who loves us unconditionally, is always protecting us. We can only hope to do the same thing should a similar occasion arise. Would we find room in our house for Jesus? Do we have Jesus in our house now? Is he welcome? Is it a place that He would want to come? The advent of a new year brings new opportunities. Like the magi, we can present Jesus with gifts as well. The gift of knowing Him more deeply, allowing Him to lead us, and presenting our heart and mind to Him replaces the gold, frankincense and myrrh. The epiphany calls for you to be a modern day magi and present yourself to Jesus in thanksgiving for His ultimate gift. Happy new year to you and yours!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Jesus Came to End Death and to Build a Church

The twelve apostles chosen by Jesus formed the bedrock of the early Church , and their Catholic identity is deeply rooted in their direct relationship with Christ and the mission He entrusted to them. The Catechism of the Catholic Church highlights this foundational role, stating that Jesus "instituted the Twelve as 'the seeds of the new Israel and the beginning of the sacred hierarchy'" ( CCC 860 ). These men were not simply followers; they were handpicked by Jesus, lived intimately with Him, witnessed His miracles and teachings firsthand, and were specifically commissioned to preach the Gospel to all nations ( Matthew 28:19-20 ). Their unique position as eyewitnesses to the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, and their reception of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, established them as the authoritative leaders of the nascent Church, a reality echoed in the writings of early Church Fathers like Ignatius of Antioch, who emphasized the apostles' authority as repre...
Post a Comment
Read more

Pope Saint John Paul II and the Socialist Threat

Pope Saint John Paul II , a towering figure of the 20th century, was a staunch critic of socialist ideologies. He recognized the inherent flaws in systems that sought to control economies and societies through centralized planning and state ownership. The pontiff's teachings offered a prophetic warning against the dangers of such regimes, which often led to oppression, poverty, and the erosion of individual freedoms. Recently, a conference organized by the Catholic Association of Propagandists in Spain brought together prominent figures who echoed the concerns raised by the late Pope. Bishop José Ignacio Munilla of Orihuela-Alicante boldly declared socialism an "enemy of the cross," highlighting its incompatibility with Christian values. He emphasized the need for a spiritual renewal, urging individuals to embrace the cross as a path to true happiness and fulfillment. French philosopher Fabrice Hadjadj also addressed the challenges posed by modern society, warning ag...
Post a Comment
Read more

Unpacking Prophecy: Common Pitfalls in Scriptural Interpretation

One of the most significant hurdles people face when engaging with Scripture lies in the interpretation of prophecy. It's a common misconception that prophetic passages inherently refer to future events, leading many to overlook their immediate context. A crucial starting point for understanding prophecy is to first look for its fulfillment in the time period closest to the prophet. Only after considering this contemporary application should we then explore the possibility of more distant or future fulfillments. This foundational principle helps to ground our understanding and prevent misinterpretations that can arise from solely focusing on what's to come. Beyond the tendency to project all prophecy into the future, another pervasive error is adopting an "egocentric" interpretation, where individuals believe biblical prophecy is primarily about them. While extreme examples involve figures like Charles Manson or David Koresh claiming to be prophesied individuals, a ...
Post a Comment
Read more