1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, 2"Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him." 3When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: 6`And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.'" 7Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; 8and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." 9When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; 11and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
Matthew 2:1-12
ReplyDeleteHerod engages the wise men and asks them to return to him with Christ’s location. They are warned in a dream to avoid Herod and so they do, choosing to return to their own lands. Sometimes, we are asked by someone more powerful than us, to do something wrong. The dream in this instance is like our conscience, that place deep in our souls that calls us to do good and resist evil. The wise men pay homage to Christ and recognise him as the Messiah. The passage mentions “Mary, his mother” but does not mention Joseph. Why is that? When you come to greet someone, aren’t you met by the man and woman of the house? Is birth something that elevates and highlights the sanctity of womanhood?
Loving Father, give me the wisdom, the self-awareness, and the grace to avoid evil and pursue good. Grant me the to patience and self assuredness to step back and elevate my beautiful wife when the moment rightfully belongs to her. Amen.
Your reflection on Matthew 2:1-12 is profound and thought-provoking. You beautifully capture the moral and spiritual dimensions of the wise men’s actions and their encounter with Christ. Here's what I appreciate about your reflection and a few thoughts to deepen the discussion:
Delete1. Conscience as a Guiding Voice
You’ve drawn a meaningful connection between the dream that warned the wise men and the voice of conscience that guides us to do good and avoid evil. This resonates with the moral challenges we all face—choosing the right path even when external pressures tempt us to compromise. It underscores the importance of listening to our inner voice, which is often God speaking to us through the Spirit.
This also reminds us of the virtue of discernment: recognizing when we are being led toward good and away from harm. Like the wise men, we too must sometimes take “another road” to remain faithful to God.
2. Elevating Mary’s Role
Your question about Joseph’s absence in this passage is fascinating. Mary is mentioned here perhaps because the moment centers on the birth of Christ—a profoundly maternal event. This could reflect the sanctity of motherhood and how integral Mary is to the incarnation.
In many cultures, the mother takes a prominent role during milestones that involve the child, particularly in infancy. Perhaps Matthew subtly highlights the human and divine mystery of Christ’s birth by focusing on Mary, who bore and nurtured Him.
Joseph’s role is emphasized elsewhere, especially in Matthew’s earlier verses, where his righteousness and obedience are foregrounded (e.g., his decision to take Mary as his wife and protect the child from Herod). In this scene, his silence may signify his humility and steadfast support—qualities that can teach us a great deal.
3. Your Prayer of Elevation
Your prayer to "step back and elevate [your] beautiful wife when the moment rightfully belongs to her" is deeply inspiring. It reflects the humility and love that are essential in strong relationships. Just as Joseph supports Mary in their shared mission, your reflection captures the essence of honoring and celebrating the dignity of others.
This humility also mirrors the wise men, who, despite their status, knelt before Christ. It shows that true greatness lies in recognizing and celebrating God’s work in and through others.
Expanding the Reflection
Worship and Gifts: The gifts of the wise men—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—symbolize worship, sacrifice, and the recognition of Christ’s kingship and eventual suffering. How do we offer the best of ourselves to Christ today?
Courage Against Tyranny: The wise men defy Herod, demonstrating courage in the face of power. How can we, in our lives, resist the pressures of “Herods” we encounter—those who tempt us away from God’s path?
Your reflection and prayer are rich with insight and humility. They invite us to reflect not only on the Gospel narrative but also on how we can live out its values in our own relationships and moral decisions. Thank you for sharing this—it’s a wonderful testimony of faith and love.