Gospel for January 2 2022 – Matthew 2:1-12
Gospel Reflections for January 2 2022
I have a few questions…
…I would like to know when Covid will finally be over, how the universe and human life evolved, how love can last, and even how to improve politics today.
Maybe you have questions as well. Sometimes answers are obvious but many are difficult to find. Where can you look for wisdom?
Today’s Gospel tells the story of the Magi (wise teachers) going to Bethlehem by the light of a star that was itself among millions of other stars. Why did they follow just that special one? The Magi had wisdom. While education is knowing a lot of things, true wisdom is knowing just the right things!
Our Catholic faith affirms two complementary sources of wisdom and truth.
One source is Revelation, or all the things God said and did in scriptures and tradition. For example, the scriptures revealed the Messiah would come from Bethlehem.
The other source is accurate Observation of the world. The Magi accurately observed a star and recognized it signaled the Messiah had come.
Both revelation and observation affirm why there is such a long tradition of the Catholic Church’s support for both science and faith. All our Catholic faith is based both on revelation and observation together.
The Magi, like all good scientists and theologians, observed signs in the sky that announced the plan of God and they followed just the right star that brought them to the right place.
That is also why the Catholic Church also has a long tradition of starting schools all over the world, and even started the very first universities. You can use both faith and reason to find God’s wisdom for your life.
That is also why I have co-written a new Kindle book with a scientist friend on faith and science about the origin of our universe and your life as well. It is available on Amazon Kindle now. You can search “Physics and Faith: from light to life” by Fr. Dave Heney and Robert Klaren. We hope you will find it helpful.
The Magi in today’s Gospel are a great example of ancient scientists who correctly observed the signs of God’s plan and travelled to the greatest source of wisdom for all their questions in Bethlehem. Perhaps that is why they are still called “Wise.”
Make their wisdom your goal as well.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Faith and Reason are important in everyday life and Church Attendance. I am watching the Rose Parade and seeing the Joy and Enthusiasm it creates on a cold morning and wonder why we can’t keep this alive for the rest of the year. I think we can in truly taking our Faith seriously and following in the Path of Our Savior Jesus Christ.
Thanks Father Dave for these explanations and jnvitations to a deeper Faith in God and the Sacraments created for our Salvation
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL
Yes, I am glad the parade is back this year. Such a happy event. I remember you were a member of the Tournament of Roses for a while too. Happy New Year!
Fr. Dave.
That is great that you co-wrote a book. But how about us people that still like to read from paper ?
Wouldn’t it be wise to have a paperback version of this book?
I still do not have a kindle.
I pray that this new year brings more peace,, health , , & love to our planet earth.
It would also be great is people stared making better decisions based on science.
God bless our kingdom with kindness
Jane
We may publish a paperback version at some point. We wanted to make it easy for parishes and schools to have it available fast.
A most Blessed, precious new Year to you overflowing with our loving Jesus and our beautiful Blessed Mother’s Love!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee their loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee and loveeeeeee you for giving us Jesus in the Holy Eucharist and giving us our Mary in your beautiful love for her!!!!!Your book sounds wonderful!! Looking so forwayd to reading it!!! happy fabulous new year!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Thank you!
I hope to read the book after doing the study from Ascension Press on Church History. There is a lot of good studies on the subject of Church History. It really builds faith in understanding our faith.
.
The Ascension Press Church History series is excellent. By all means, study that first.
Dear Father Dave,
Growing in wisdom and how we accomplish this beautiful state of being is often a mystery. I can be foolish and 🙃 silly in one breath and (hopefully) wise in another. I suppose the key is in trying to live a balanced, faith-filled life, and learn as we move through the years….
Congratulations on your new book! Will look forward to reading it.
Have a blessed, healthy, and happy 2022.
Kathleen
Happy and healthy New Year to you as well!