In this section you can find a daily commentary on the Gospel of the Day.

Thursday 6 January 2022

The Epiphany of the Lord

Word for today
The Gospel of Matthew 2:1-12

Who is setting out?

The Magi did not wait. They did not sit around and wait for someone else to take their place. They left the East to meet Jesus, following the inclination of their heart and what they read in the stars which led them to humanity's treasure. The priests of the Jewish Temple and the scribes of the Jewish law knew the Biblical prophecies perfectly but they did not move one inch; they did not take one step; they did not set out. No one of the hierarchy of the temple left to meet Jesus, not even out of curiosity, after the Magi made their exited announcement, and when someone did look into the matter, it is ironic that it was at the urging of Herod, the violent despot, the cruel enemy, the heartless atheist who subdued and enslaved the people.
There are those who set out to search for a treasure, and there are those who never set out. Those who set out are not always sure of themselves, they are not perfect, holy, proper, the best, but at least they set out, they start, walk, risk, try and do not wait, they do not wait for someone else to do it for them. Those who do not set out  want to be sure that the search for the treasure does not jeopardize their security or reputation, that it does not compromise their balance, does not tarnish their security, weaken their beliefs, destabilize their control. Those who set out are basically those who are humble, who love the treasure; they put themselves at the service of the treasure and, even before finding it , they are willing to risk everything for what they consider to be their treasure. Those who do not set out are basically arrogant, and do not love the treasure. They love their advantages and interests; they are never willing to risk anything and they wait for someone else to set out in their place so they can skillfully take advantage of the situation should it provide some benefits. Those who set out are searching  for mankind's treasure, those who do not out are searching for their own benefits.
The Magi travelled towards Jesus listening to the longing for salvation and liberation that inflamed their hearts

The Magi travelled towards Jesus listening to the longing for salvation and liberation that inflamed their hearts and  reading the routes of the stars and planets. They did not wait for someone else to do it for them. Although they had the revealed Word in their hands, the priests of the temple, the scribes of the law, the leaders of the Jewish people at Jesus' time, did not set out, they never went to meet Jesus the treasure. The religious hierarchy did not move one inch towards Jesus, and when they moved it was only to watch with inquiring eyes, to ridicule, to judge, to slander, to condemn, to torture and to kill the One who was undermining from within their empire, their safety, ambition and reputation.
In the face of Jesus' invitation you can either set out in search of the treasure or you can stay behind  to defend your interests. If you do set out, do not wait for someone to do it with you. If you do not set out, do not wait for someone to do it for you.