Meditations on the Sunday Gospel for the Year of the Eucharist
Sunday January 2nd, 2005
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. - Matthew 2:1-12
duties and line of work when God spoke to their hearts. From their home country they began a long, slow,
difficult journey following a star.
It is interesting to note that this “star” is mentioned four times within twelve verses. It is also interesting
to note that the star appears to disappear from them. St. John Chrysostom says that this was God’s plan
designed to force the magi to consult the Jews therefore making the birth of Jesus known to all.
This seems to be the case because when Herod and Jerusalem learn of what has taken place in their
own backyard they were “greatly troubled.” Herod was so troubled by this little child and the threat He
posed to Herod’s power that Herod begins to plan “secretly” the child’s elimination.
The gifts offered by the magi appear to be strange gifts for an infant. The gold was a gift that
recognized Jesus’ kingship. The frankincense was a gift that recognized His divinity and the myrrh
prefigured the death of the Savior as it was a spice used for burial. Although they may have been strange
gifts for a child they may well have been divine providence in assisting Joseph in paying for the long,
expensive exodus to Egypt.
following the star. You are in awe as you approach the city of
Jerusalem. The city is teeming with life and the Temple is a wonder
to behold. Not knowing the thoughts of the magi you assume the One
they are searching for must be in the Temple.
As you process through the city all eyes are upon you. Little
children peer out from between the legs of their parents. Old men sit
and whisper to each other while city guards look on with contempt.
You and the caravan are the center of attention as you wind through
the city streets. You begin to imagine the celebrations and festivities
that must be planned to celebrate the arrival of this “new” king.
The next day you find yourself traveling out of the city. The children
point and laugh as you go by. You realize there will be no big party,
no celebration in honor of the new king.
Around nightfall the caravan stops. You notice a large group of
people walking toward a stable built into a cave in the rocks. As you
make your way through the crowd to the front you trip and fall to the
ground. As you push yourself up to knell you notice a young woman
looking at you and then at the feeding trough at her feet. Your heart
begins to race as you look upon the tiny baby sleeping in the trough.
Tears stream down your face as something deep inside whispers,
“this is the King.”
Apostles and You
imitation of the wise men. I have left the world behind to come
here and adore You. I bring all that I have and all that I am and
place it at Your feet. I recognize You as King. I see You in the
Eucharist as the magi saw You in the manger.
Lord, help me to recognize You in the Eucharist, in my
friends, family, strangers, and enemies. Give me the grace and
courage to bring them here to see You. Help me to be the “star”
that leads them to You.
Lord, thank You for this time here with You. Thank You for listening and for speaking
with me. I love You Jesus my love. As I gaze upon You in the Eucharist I hear a small voice
whisper, “this is the King.” [Look upon Christ and listen]
Jesus, as I look at You, truly present in the Eucharist, I am reminded of all my blessings. I
am reminded of all You have given me and I recognize that all that I have and all that I am is a
gift from You. With this in mind Jesus I offer You the only thing I can give that is not already
Yours, me. [offer to God yourself and think of the parts of your life that you are withholding
from Him]
Lord, sometimes I do not understand Your ways. Sometimes I feel so alone as if You
have left me. I feel like the magi must have felt when they could no longer see the star. I
pray for an increase in the gift of faith. Help me to remain steadfast in my love for You even
when darkness covers me. Reveal to me the times in the past when all seemed dark yet you
were there with me so that I may draw strength from those times of grace. [listen for ten
minutes]
bread". In the humble stable in Bethlehem on some straw lay the "grain
of wheat" who, by dying, would bring forth "much fruit" (cf Jn 12:24).
When speaking of Himself and His saving mission in the course of His
public life, Jesus would later use the image of bread. He would say "I
am the bread of life", "I am the bread which came down from heaven",
"the bread that I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh". (Jn 6:
35.41.51).
Faithfully pursuing the path of our Redeemer from the poverty of the
Crib to His abandonment on the Cross we can better understand the
mystery of His love which redeems humanity. The Child, laid by Mary in
the manger, is the Man-God we shall see nailed to the Cross. The
same Redeemer is present in the sacrament of the Eucharist. In the
stable at Bethlehem He allowed himself to be worshipped under the
humble outward appearances of a newborn baby, by Mary, by Joseph
and by the shepherds; in the consecrated Host we adore Him
sacramentally present in his body, blood, soul and godhead, and He
offers himself to us as the food of eternal life. The Mass then becomes
a truly loving encounter with the One who gave himself wholly for us. Do
not hesitate, my dear young friends, to respond to Him when He invites
you "to the wedding feast of the Lamb (cf Rev 19:9). Listen to him,
prepare yourselves properly and draw close to the Sacrament of the
Altar, particularly in this Year of the Eucharist (October 2004-2005)
which I have proclaimed for the whole Church.
- from Message for World Youth Day 2005 Cologne, Germany
EUCHARIST
a star. Lead us to your glory in heaven by the light of faith. We ask this through our Lord
Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for
ever and ever. - from the Liturgy of the Hours
Year of the Eucharist Page