“We have seen his star and we have come to glorify him”
Teaser: "We have seen his star and we have come to glorify him", was the message of the Magi from the East before Herod's court, which generated a great commotion in all Jerusalem. They were close and they did not recognize him.
January 6th, 2021 -Fr. Francisco J. Lemes Gonçalves
“The light came to those who were his and did not receive him,” St. John tells us in the first chapter of his Gospel.
Herod came to feel threatened in his temporary power. Not even those who understood the Law recognized him, it was written in the Scriptures…, but the image they had of the Messiah was not compatible with the Child wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a stable and with poor parents. For this reason they did not recognize him, and even today they do not recognize him.
But the Magi followed with joy the star that came down where they were and saw the Child with Mary, His mother, and they adored Him. They came from distant lands and before that child, like so many in their own lands, they saw in him something that only those who have faith and let themselves be surprised by God are able to see in this little God who became man.
Those who are concerned about the things of the world, are unable to see the signs that God sends us to go to Mary and find Jesus in her arms. One either goes around too much, or makes too many excuses, or is too justified in wanting scientific proof or guarantees. Look at these men: they came from afar, guided by a star; they were not practicing Jews. According to tradition, they were astrologers and philosophers. They left everything, went out, took risks, and let themselves be surprised by God; they were rewarded. When they saw Jesus, they worshipped him, because they found the reason for their lives.
They brought gifts to the Child, in the symbolism of gold, incense and myrrh. Gold for good deeds and a desire for holiness that is conquered every day. Incense, recognizing him as the true God, who must be adored. The Virgin said to Juan Diego in Mexico: “I am the Mother of the true God who must be adored”. And in the myrrh, our humanity was held in the child of Bethlehem who became human and set up his tent among us.
What gifts will we give Jesus today? What gold will you offer Him? What incense will you adore Him with? What myrrh from your limitations, crosses and happiness will you offer Him?
Our Schoenstatt Shrines are this house where, as we enter, we see Mary as the Magi saw her: with Jesus. She invites us to worship him, in her arms, in the tabernacle, in the Word announced and explained. Here in her shrine we will always find Jesus with her; never, never, separated. God will always have his star in our sky, which at times will be half cloudy, dark. Let us look up and see the star, let us follow it, because it will stop in our Shrine and there we will find Jesus, and we will be able to say like the Wise Men: “We have come to your star and we have loved you!
Fuente: www.schoenstatt.org.br