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:
Are you yearning for the presence of Jesus in your life? What do you do when you are yearning for Him? Do you read your Bible and meditate on His living words? Do you go to church for Holy Mass, or do you spend time with Him in the Adoration Chapel?
We have searched for Jesus in one way or another, and our search for Him has always borne fruit, for Jesus never hides Himself from us. He is always there for us when we diligently seek Him. The moment we encounter Him, we will never be the same, for He will change and complete us according to His will.
The three Magi in our Gospel were also searching for Jesus. But why were they searching for the child Jesus? Of course, we all know that they had something special to give Him. However, aside from the gifts they wanted to offer, why were they searching for Jesus?
They were searching for Jesus because something was deeply missing in their lives, a void that could only be filled by finding Him. So, they searched diligently. They went to Jerusalem and looked for Him there. Eventually, they were guided by the star to Bethlehem, where they found the baby Jesus.
Upon finding Him, they paid homage to the Lord by offering their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But this is not the end of the story. For when they found Jesus, they also found inner healing that only He could give. Their encounter with the child Jesus completely changed and renewed them.
Let us also seek the Lord with all our hearts, for those who seek Jesus will find Him and be enormously renewed and blessed by Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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