Whether they were philosophers or astrologers, the
Wise Men were certainly ‘seekers’. Looking to the skies for signs and guidance,
with their hearts and minds set on finding God, the Wise Men embark on an amazing journey, determined. The thought of
some new religious insight, a change or even a threat, forces Herod to call
together all those considered to have authority on religious matters. All are concerned with their own power and afraid
of how the new could affect their traditions and structures; the possibility of
a new King is too much for them. In contrast to this, the Wise Men are humbled
before the leaders and genuinely seek to learn from them. We are told that the sight of the star ‘filled them with delight’.
This story has so much to say
to us today, we are all on a similar journey, striving for the same goal: ‘going into the house the saw the child with
his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage’. This scene
describes a moment of great joy, of grace and is in total contrast to the scene
of Herod frantically calling the religious leaders together: God is found in
the simple spaces. The Wise Men represent all peoples, all cultures, a clear
message that God is for all regardless of nationality, culture and even faith. Today we might think about our own journeys to moments of
epiphany. What ‘star’ had brought us there? What gifts did we leave there? What
gifts were we given there?
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