Reflection for Sunday, January 7, Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord; Matthew 2:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.” Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.”

After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

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Reflection:

During Christmas time a mother with twelve grown up children was always alone in her big house.  When she was asked by her neighbor why she was alone she paused while a little bit teary eyed and she replied: “My children have their own families already.”

She further said: I used to be lonely during this time but I’m okay now because a relative introduced me to Jesus: Jesus is in my life now. I go to Mass everyday, read my bible when I’m home and reflect on the readings then I’m all right: I submit my life to Jesus.”

The mother who was abandoned by her children was obviously melancholy, who would not be? It was good that she had a relative who  introduced her to Jesus, the very same Jesus who would cure her loneliness and emptiness.

The Magi were in search for Jesus to give Him homage and to offer Jesus their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. But come to think of it, was it the sole purpose why they were in desperate search of the baby Jesus?

There might have been loneliness and emptiness also in their hearts that is why they were searching for Jesus for they knew that it was only Jesus who would cure their hidden loneliness and emptiness.

In our fast moving and technology driven world today many of us are lonely and empty deep inside us. Yes, some of us may have the riches of the world such as flashy cars, fat bank accounts, beautiful houses and the like.

But deep inside us we may be longing for something that would inwardly cure our loneliness and emptiness. This something that we are longing for is no other than Jesus. - Marino J. Dasmarinas