My Meditation on the Gospel
Part Two is here.
THE MAGI (1)—BEING PREPARED FOR GOD’S CALL
Matt. 2 : 1-12
- The three Magi consulting with each other about the meaning of the star.
- The grace, my Jesus, to be ready for Your stars when they shine.
When the star of Bethlehem shone in the East there were many men who saw it. But its full meaning came only to a few.
The Magi were scholars who sought for the truth with an avid hunger and thirst. They had studied the teachings of Zoroaster and the sciences. And they were fascinated by the holy books of the Jews and often spoke about their admirable belief in one Supreme Being.
They realized, too, that the world was sick; that human nature so capable of good was also so prone to evil. And so the Jewish idea of original sin and the promise of a Savior made very good sense to them.
They studied further: “A star shall arise out of Jacob” … “Seventy weeks of years” from the time of Daniel. They talked about it and they prayed and they longed that they would see the day. And they scanned the sky.
Then one night the star was there–bright, moving to the west, a new star! They met and discussed it. This must be it! Quickly they decided to follow.
🖤Dear Lord, the Wise Men understood the meaning of the star because they had studied and prayed. And the Wise Men followed the star because they were ready for it when it appeared.
Prayer and meditation and study had made them deeply spiritual men, keen to see God’s sign, thirsty for truth, and generous to give all and follow. The vision and generosity did not come all at once.
🖤🖤My King, I recognize with my mind the need for recollection and prayer, and yet I am so prone to excuse myself from spiritual reading and prayer because of work. Give me the grace to see the shortsighted-ness of this idea! Let me see that I shall only be ready for Your call when it comes if I am prepared beforehand. Otherwise I won’t even recognize Your star!
Millions saw the first one; only three followed it—the three who were ready. Let me get back to the half-hour of spiritual reading every day! Let only the gravest excuses make me put it off!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
THE MAGI (2)—IDEALS
Matt. 2 : 1 -1 2
1.The Magi answering the vehement objections of family and loved ones.
- The grace, my Lord, of seeing the right ideals and the courage to follow them.
The appearance of the star coincided with the wonderful workings of grace in the hearts of the three great followers of Zoroaster. They had read the prophecies of Daniel and recognized the sign of the star.
But their enthusiasm was chilled a bit when their friends and families heard about their plans. Some were scornful and called them outright fools. Those more kinds said that they were simply caught up with some religious mania and they should give themselves time to calm down and get back to reality.
It was their families that placed the hardest obstacles. At first they pleaded with the Magi not to go. Then they cried, told them that they were selfish to leave their families, that it would be so much more pleasing to God if they stayed at home. And finally they threatened. If they went chasing a star, then they’d find no one home when they returned!
And through it all the Magi were brave and true. They didn’t shout back or raise a fuss. Quietly, peacefully they explained that they simply had to go, that the star was calling for them.
🖤O my King, how I admire their courage and their strength of purpose. The pressure of human respect brought against them was strong enough to bend the strongest will.
They were able, however, to withstand men’s scorn and laughter. They were able to resist the pleas and emotional outbursts of loved ones, because they had the inner peace of knowing that they were right. Prayer and meditation had formed ideals, and the ideals were their steelwork and their strength.
The arguments brought up by their families and friends were very good arguments. The Magi were able to resist only because they had thought out the whole thing in prayer.
🖤🖤My King, I am so prone to waver under pressure. Emotional stress from others, especially from loved ones, makes me so fearful that I may be wrong, so nervous about being strong.
Laughter and scorn and even fear of ridicule can cause me such uneasiness also. For my will to be strong I must have a strong motivation, as did the Magi. I must have strong convictions and right ideals.
These are formed by sincere and earnest thought and prayerful meditation, and forged into true steel by intelligent discussion and debate. Teach me the truth and give me the peace of respect for my ideals once I am sure that my ideals are right. Let prayer be my safeguard.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
THE MAGI (3)—TRUST IN GOD
Matt. 2 : 1 -12
- The sad look on the faces of the Magi as the Jews at Jerusalem fled in terror from their question.
- The grace, my Jesus, to trust in You, even when things seem hopeless.
It took great preparations for the long journey—supplies, trusted soldiers and guides, gifts for the King, suitable wardrobes becoming their state. Finally, all was ready.
Then the long arduous trip; the constant vigilance for robber bands; the anxiety to see the King and to learn more about what He would do for the world. They were so filled with expectation.
Then, after many weary weeks, they sighted Jerusalem. They camped outside for the night so that they would be fresh and clean for their meeting with the King in the morning.
Nervously, expectantly, they entered with their long, impressive retinue through the eastern gate of the city. Crowds gathered and stared. The caravan halted and the chief officers of the Magi’s guard asked where they could find the new-born King of the Jews.
His words stiffened and terrified the crowd like an electric shock! If the tyrant Herod heard them even listening to such talk! No one spoke! Fearfully they slipped away and disappeared.
The Magi could hardly believe their eyes. The King’s own people didn’t seem to know Him or to care! And suddenly they recalled that the star also had disappeared. It was all such a letdown!
🖤O my King, how they were tempted to be disheartened at that moment! It all looked so black! How the taunts of their friends rang in their mind—”Star-chasers!” “Fools !”
How they began to mistrust themselves and their judgment. But the star was reality and it was from You. So they trusted and waited, and finally someone came and led them to Herod. And there they found out about the King.
🖤🖤Dear Master, this lesson is so important for me to see. It makes me realize that sometimes You deliberately let the star go out and let things look hopeless, only to make us trust You the more.
I realize now that trust in You is just like loyalty to a friend; it’s really counting on Your goodness all the way, no matter how things may seem to fall apart. You are so pleased by that kind of loyalty.
Teach me then to love these opportunities for trust. Don’t let me be fearful, even when I see great pride in myself or other faults. The dark hours can create in me true greatness of soul. Then send them, my King, in Your own good time. Only give me the grace to take them with loyalty and to please You completely!
“There is nothing more precious than to be loved by a wife and to love her in return. A home where this love reigns is a fortress of strength and a haven of holiness.” ~St. John Chrysostom
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A very blest 12th day of Christmas!
What are our own stars? That is quite something to meditate on, thank you! 🎄😇✨
That is a beautiful meditation Leane, thank you for writing and sharing it with us, God bless you for it.