“Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.”
Today is a day of rejoicing in unity with one another throughout the world. Since Christmas we have been with the Christ Child with our families in our homes and local communities. Today we get to experience an even deeper joy as we are united with our fellow travelers as seen in the Magi, the Gentiles who come from the East to join us in praising and loving our God. This is such a beautiful completion as at this time we have just closed the doors on our Jubilee Year, a similar celebration of sojourners from afar all over the world that are united in their love for God and for the Church.
We are one Body, one Mystical Body, united in Christ: Gentile and Jew, woman and man, saint and sinner. Here we stand as one.
“It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”
The Magi Arrived
“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.”
We are being called here to rejoice together. In uniting, let us set aside personal judgments of others, our own ruminations that distract us from engaging in this present moment, our inner critics, the distractions and disruptions in our days, and the things that separate us. Today is a day for rejoicing and an invitation to pure love. Take this day to sit and fill your heart with the light the readings speak about. It is for us. Read them again and again and hear the music that evokes. What stands out to you? Which of these moments in today’s readings resonate with you?
Step into the Light
This light spoken about radiates and permeates the night: the house amid turmoil, the countries amid war and conflict. Today is not about debate; it is about community. We are one in Him who made us.
Sit and be. Invite. Unify. Love. Bathe in the light and smile in the goodness that overflows from the story.
The Magi have come to be with us. Their journey was long and changing, exhausting, and filled with contradictions, but nothing deterred them from reaching the Christ Child. Let nothing stand in our way.
When someone asks you your New Year’s resolution, say: “I am going to try to live the simple truth that God is pure love and is the help we all need, together.” See what their reaction will be and how much good news we can spread person by person through simple resolutions like this. “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” This is the beauty God is teaching us today, every day this year can be an ever present mini-Christmas. Will you join me in this new resolution?
[Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12]
