January 6th - Reflection

Reading

Epiphany of Our Lord
Matthew 2:1-12 (NRSV)

Christ revealed to the nations In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.' "

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Reflection
They opened their treasure chests to Jesus. They gave from their riches. They gave in abundance. Do I give in abundance? Do I open my treasure chest to Jesus? It seems that I tend to want to keep my treasure chest closed to the world. I need that treasure chest to bring me through the tough times when they come my way. I need my treasure chest to save myself when I'm in trouble. But these wise men opened their treasure chests and gave to Jesus.

I am called each day to open my treasure chest and give to Jesus and those He gives to me. Open my treasure chest and bare myself to trust in God to take care of me in those tough times. What's in my treasure chest that I have earned on my own is useless to myself. What's in my treasure chest cannot and will not save me. What's in my treasure chest is only useful to others. What's in my treasure chest is not something I earned out of my own efforts. What's in my treasure chest are gifts placed there by God to be used on others. What's in my treasure chest is to be given back to my Creator, to be used as He intended. So today, I must open my treasure chest in the presence of Jesus and listen to His command and follow in His path. Open my treasure chest...Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, I lay my treasure chest open to You. Guide me along the path that You have graciously formed for me that I may give my treasure chest away as You have given Your life away. ---Amen