Monday, December 31, 2018

1Reflection for Sunday January 6, Epiphany of the Lord: Matthew 2:1-12


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:
A young man was thinking of something that he can give Jesus this 2019. So, he was asking himself: What can I give Jesus this year being the year of the youth? Then, he immediately answered his questioning by saying; “ I will give Jesus my time, energy and whatever talent that I have.”

The Magi from the East had their gifts for the baby Jesus and these were not ordinary gifts for they consist of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. Gold foretells Jesus kingship, Frankincense predicts that the child Jesus is to be worshipped. And Myrrh which was used for anointing the dead predicts His death on the cross.     

What is the best gift that you could give Jesus this year? Is it your time and strength for the furtherance of the gospel? Is it your treasure and knowledge? Whatever it is give Jesus nothing less but your very best. Do not mind what it will cost you; You have to give Jesus what He truly deserves for He is your Lord and Savior.
  
Sometimes it is very hard to give especially if we will not immediately receive something in return. It’s very hard for many of us to give to Jesus because Jesus does not physically reciprocate our generosity. However, where can we find Jesus in this era of facebook, twitter and Instagram? Can we find Jesus in those social media platforms? No, we cannot find Jesus there.
  
Jesus is with the poor that you happen to pass by every day, Jesus is with the hungry and homeless that you always see. Jesus is with anyone who badly needs your help. Have you felt that feeling that you wished you could give them something but you did not?

Don’t hold back once you see or pass by them again. Give them that something no matter how small or how insignificant it may seem to you.  For that something means the world to them. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

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