Canonization of Mother Marie Eugenie
Read a thought from Mother Marie Eugenie and share a thought of your own >>
gospel reflection
The Epiphany of the Lord, January 7, 2007
Isaiah 60: 1 - 6
Ephesians 3: 2-3A, 5-6
Matthew 2: 1-12
Matthew tells us about « the Magi come from the East, » who had seen a star rise announcing the arrival of the King of the Jews. They went to Jerusalem and made inquiries. King Herod was moved by the news, and the whole city with him. The Sanhedrin then searched the Scriptures and read the prophecies concerning the Messiah. They named the place of his birth, but didn’t do anything more. Herod hid his real intentions in questioning the Magi and pretended he was interested in following them. His ruse foreshadowed the drama of the Passion.
The Magi, directed by the Scriptures, found the star again and followed it to the stable. They entered and offered gifts : gold to honor a king, incense for a God, myrrh for the one who will know death but be victorious over it. By their gifts, they acknowledged the King whose kingdom is elsewhere. In a dream, God let them know that they should take a different route home. But they have opened the way to God for all of us.
Shall we also follow the star and go to meet the Messiah of humility ? Shall we read the Scriptures and put them into practice like the Wisemen so that our road in life will no longer be zigzagging according to the exterior circumstances or blocked by old habits and fears? Shall we take this interior road of humility and faith which will enable us to discern the presence of God under discrete and fragile signs, oftentimes? Our God does not impose on us. God reveals himself in the weakness of a child, in the silent and trusting acceptance of the Lamb… The Magi had to learn this. Their change of itinerary suggests that they became « different. » So unexpected. Through this new interior way, they give witness to a different fullness of life, the joy of His Presence.
- Sr. Sophie Ramond, R.A.