Gospel Reflections for January 8 2017
I would like to know a few things…
I wonder why some people get sick while others stay healthy, how the universe evolved, how a healthcare system can 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, so I also seek out wise people for 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 three 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 three 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 we 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 three 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 us today to remember that someone else is in charge …and to be grateful for the very life we have.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
It is a time of year where I reflect on the three Wise Men and their humble beauty and grace as they traveled so far to see the new baby Jesus. May the Holy Spirit this year grant all the faithful the gift of wisdom. Wisdom is truly a great gift for all. Happy New Year!
Yes, we can learn a lot from this simple short story of the Wise Men.
Dear Father Dave,
Yes, a humble beauty….
I do believe, as you stated above, that “someone else is in charge.”
No wonder they are called “Wise.”
So true.
Thanks!
Father Dave, thank you for your deep insight into the meaning of Epiphany. I guess the Three Wise Men are true scientists. They have the wisdom to analyze the universe and and take wondrous meaning from it. Sadly, some modern day scientists try to see the universe as separate from God, even though God created it all.
Yes, as any good scientist, they wanted to see with their own eyes.
Beautiful reflection Fr Dave. Falling in love with the Lord always gives me the right perspective in life to be thankful and grateful in all situations.
Thank you Lord, Thank you Fr Dave for the message.
You are welcome. Happy New Year!
I’m sure it was blind faith that led the three by following the star. They trusted their faith in God more than themselves. I pray I will have such faith. Happy new year, Fr. Dave
Yes, they followed the star, and so do we.
Your reflection reminds us of all the wise people we have encountered throughout our lives. When we recognize wisdom with gratitude, we open ourselves to the gift of wisdom.
You’re such a “wise guy” .. in an endearing way! Happy New Year
Thank you!
And like the Wise men……”The wise still seek Him”
Yes, they knew a good thing when they saw it!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee your reflection Father Dave!!! To seek a child sent from God is soooooooooooooo beautiful!!! The Wise men were truly wise in LOVE!!!! and they gave the most beautiful gifts, themselves, their love and their earthly gifts of love!! We must follow their example and give our lives to God, our love to God, our love of bringing others to our loving God!!! A most beautiful. precious New Year to you overflowing with our God, our Jesus and our Blessed Mother’s love to precious you!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Happy New Year!