Reflection on today’s Gospel of Matthew 2:1-12

As today’s gospel recounts the journey of the Magi to the birthplace of Jesus, we have a passage that is rich in the themes of revelation, worship, and the recognition of Christ’s significance.

The Magi’s journey, guided by a star, signifies the search for truth and meaning in life. Catholics are called to embark on our own journeys of faith, seeking a deeper understanding of God and His Will for us. We also take from this feast the openness and meaning of the Magi’s willingness to follow the star as being open to God’s guidance in our lives. We also see in the various gifts brought by the Magi a definition of who Christ is in our faith lives. The role of King Herod illustrates his own fear and jealousy and how it led him to seek to kill the infant Jesus while others—from shepherds to royalty—sought to adore Him. This asks us to see how we are open to Christ’s presence in our lives and if we are open to Him rather than to resist Him. And finally, the importance of Divine Guidance or the listening to God’s Wisdom in our lives is a major theme: How do we discern the voice of God in our own faith journey? Do we consult His Word and the wisdom of scripture scholars? Do we dialogue with God in prayer and
meditation?

In the end, Matthew invites us reflect on our own faith journey and our recognition of Christ’s Kingship, and to our response to His Call in our lives. It challenges us to worship Him fully—with all our hearts, our minds and our souls—and to share the light of Christ in-and-through our daily activities of life, just as the Magi did.