Gospel for January 3 2021 – Matthew 2:1-12
Gospel Reflections for January 3 2021
I would like to know a few things…
I wonder why some people get sick while others stay healthy, how the universe began, if all our vaccines will work, and even about peace in the Middle East.
I have even more questions ready should I ever speak directly to Our Lord. If you could speak to Jesus, what might you want to know?
Our Catholic tradition is founded on using our rational minds to understand our world, but I also seek out wise people for their insights. While an educated person might know a lot of things, the wise person knows just the right things and has them all in the right perspective …knowing what is important and what is not. We Catholics respect wisdom!
We meet wise people in today’s Gospel who travel many miles to meet the Lord.
By intelligently reading and understanding signs in the sky, they recognize they will meet a king who comes from God. What a golden opportunity! Who wouldn’t want to meet a Messiah who could answer all your questions?
These wise people had spent a lifetime trying to understand the universe and now they will meet a child “sent by God.”
However, instead of bringing questions …they bring gifts! Rather than demand answers, they come in gratitude bearing presents. Rather than expect something from God, they seek only to worship. Why did this happen?
Perhaps a lifetime of gazing at the stars in the immense universe gave them a sense of perspective. Perhaps the beauty and majesty of the universe reminded them that someone else is in charge and so they simply felt a profound gratitude. Their first impulse was not to get something, but to give thanks for the stars, the planets, and, especially, their very lives. No wonder they are called “wise.”
It is still good to ask God for wisdom, answers, and for whatever else you might need. After all, most of the verses in the “Our Father” are requests. I still have my requests as well, but I am grateful for the example of those wise persons in today’s Gospel to first bow down in worship of Our Lord.
I am sure they continued to use all their human intelligence to think and discover insights from this world. I am sure they would also invite you today to remember that someone else is in charge …and to be grateful for the very life you have.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Hi Fr. DAVE, WHEN I began to read I knew what question I wanted to ask. Why do you allow evil Lord? After reading I too just want to be one to thank.
God is all good, and good enough to allow us all to have free will, which means we must endure those who choose evil. Yet that is precisely where we can bring virtues to counter them, like courage, compassion, and love. The Magi had all three!
Hi Fr Dave: Thanks for your weekly reflections and video mass. Both have kept us closer to our Lord. Happy New Year! Argyle
Have a Happy, Healthy, and Blessed New Year!
Happy New year father Dave,
I would just ask Jesus:
Where do you need me Lord?
Give me strength and wisdom to identify the road to take.
You ask the perfect questions!
Father Dave, You have beautiful insights!!!Dick and I are sooooooooooooooooooooooooo grateful to our loving God for the gift of life, the gift of our Jesus, the gift of our Mary, the gift of our family and friends, the gift of love and the gift of our world!! I love Saint John of the Cross’s precious words,” Where their isn’t love , put love and you will find love!!!” That is our mission to love and make the world beautiful!! Our Jesus lived it and said” love one another as I have loved you!! We are to love and change the world in love!!! Love our precious Faith and love all of you beautiful priests giving us the gift of Jesus!! Happy, beautiful New Year to you!! We are so happy you are a beautiful part of our lives!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Thanks you!
Fr. Dave… I love your reflection. What it reminds me of is Adoration. I for one love to talk and, as you know, have no problem with talking. Adoration is a time to keep my mouth shut and just listen. What do you want of me Lord?
Yes, that is the perfect prayer!
We enjoyed your Deacon’s homily on Saturday’s virtual Mass. That is the second time we have listened. I believe the last time was Father’s Day. Please pass on our compliments and our gratitude.
We tune into St. Bruno’s Mass almost every week.
Great. I am glad you enjoyed his sermon. I will pass on your greetings.
What a beautiful, powerful message!
Thank you Fr. Dave.
Thank you! I am glad you liked it.