MY daily reflection and prayer:
Sunday, January 03, 2016
The Epiphany of the Lord
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. Matthew 2:1-12
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: `And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.'” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
SOME people may doubtfully ask: If Jesus Christ truly is who he claims to be, the eternal Son of God and Savior of the world, then why is he not recognized by everyone who hears his word and sees his works? Even, St John the Evangelist, the beloved disciple of Jesus Christ, states in his Gospel that when Jesus Christ came into the world the world knew him not and his own people received him not (see John 1:10-11).
But the Gospel today proclaims that some wise men found their way to Bethlehem to pay homage to the newborn King of Israel, Jesus Christ. Of course, these men were not Israelites. They were foreigners but they likely had read and discussed the Messianic prophecies and were anxious to see when this Messianic King would appear. St. Matthew tells us that God led them by means of an extraordinary star across the desert to the little town of Bethlehem where Jesus was born.
The wise men from the East willingly left everything, their home and country, in pursuit of their thirst for worshipping Jesus Christ. They were led by the extra ordinary star to the source of true knowledge, Jesus Christ, the Star of Betlehem. They humbly worshiped him and gave him gifts fitting for a king. They came and worshiped Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace and King of Kings.
Also today, the Star of Betlehem gives us the same light of revelation to recognize and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We just need faith as an entirely free gift that God makes to us to accept him. Faith moves our hearts and opens our eyes, that we are able to understand, accept, and believe the truth which God has revealed to us through his only Son, Jesus Christ, the Lord.
Today, the Archdiocese of Semarang promulgates the Basic Guidelines of the Archdiocese of Semarang 2016-2020. We are called to build the inclusive, innovative, and transformative Church for realizing the civilization of love in Indonesia in the face of Gid’s mercy. We can only build such Church if we truly trust in and worship Jesus Christ as the wise men did.
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist we learn from the experience faith of the wise men to encounter with Jesus Christ. We not only to know him but personally to worship him lovingly. God gives his only Son as King and Savior, not just for the Jewish people but for all the nations as well.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for bringing your salvation to all the nations. Help us to worship you joyfully and to be a good witness of the joy of the gospel to others now and forever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
