"Let Your Light Shine"

Gospel
Mt 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,
in the days of King Herod,
behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.”
When King Herod heard this,
he was greatly troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him.
Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people,
He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea,
for thus it has been written through the prophet:
And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
since from you shall come a ruler,
who is to shepherd my people Israel.”
Then Herod called the magi secretly
and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.
He sent them to Bethlehem and said,
“Go and search diligently for the child.
When you have found him, bring me word,
that I too may go and do him homage.”
After their audience with the king they set out.
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,
until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
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.
Then they opened their treasures
and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
they departed for their country by another way.

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First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR! I am glad that this blog, as well as the urge to write in it safely passed through the end of 2008. I am very glad to write this first entry for the year 2009.

Today's Gospel tells us of how God makes ways just for His Will to be done.

I remember reading Bo Sanchez's thoughts about eventually desiring what God wills for you. I think that today's Gospel clearly shows that.

For the past days, in between the seemingly interminable slumber I have subjected myself to throughout my Christmas break, I somehow remembered how hectic I have allowed myself to be.

I somehow realized how I have to find Christ in my heart. Where is He? Where is the LOVE I am so yearning and with many ways I have attempted to seize for myself?

I have realized that it is a longing that would be so much as to make curious astrologers reach and follow a wondrous star so tenaciously.

Lord, help me to follow my own star. Amen

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Saint Francis Xavier, help me to shine my own light. Amen.

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photo: http://www.cresourcei.org/images/epiphany.jpg