THE MAGI RETURN TO THEIR OWN COUNTRY
“And having been warned in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their own country” (Matt. 2, 12).
First Prelude: In spirit behold the Magi, once more prostrating themselves in adoration before the Divine Child.
Second Prelude: Grant us grace, O Jesus, to value ever more the happiness of frequently communing with Thee in prayer, that we may stake all to derive great benefit from so salutary a practice.
FIRST POINT
THE MAGI LEAVE BETHLEHEM COMPLETELY TRANSFORMED INTERIORLY
We may well say that the Magi did not come to Bethlehem unprepared. How faithfully did they co-operate with the light of grace vouchsafed them simultaneously with the appearance of the star! How great was their desire, their faith, their hope, their love and perseverance! In childlike simplicity and humility, they prostrated themselves before the Divine Child, in Whom they recognized not only the King of the Jews, but their God and the Saviour of the world.
Their hearts resembled the field spoken of in the gospel, which yielded fruit a hundred-fold. Though the sweet presence of the Holy Child and His Blessed Mother was theirs but for a short time, what a treasure of heavenly light, of love and grace was imparted to them! How gladly would they have spent their whole life in the company of Jesus and Mary! But the Will of God, manifested to them in sleep, bade them return to their own country, and so they departed from Bethlehem with the same fidelity and ready obedience with which they had followed the directions of the star.
Oh, the wonderful effects of intimate union with Jesus, the Author of all sanctity! And we, who, perhaps, for many years have lived close to Jesus in holy religion, and so frequently receive Him in Holy Communion, do not profit by such intimacy! Do we not come in contact with the self-same God Who effected such a wonderful transformation in the hearts of the Magi? Oh, we are lacking in living faith and active love. We approach the sacred mysteries with slight preparation, and are, therefore, not worthy of the plenitude of graces reserved for fervent souls.
Let us examine ourselves seriously to see what hinders us from deriving the proper fruit from our frequent intercourse with Jesus in the various religious exercises.
SECOND POINT
THE MAGI RETURN HOME BY ANOTHER WAY, AND ANNOUNCE THE MERCIES OF THE LORD
Having been warned in sleep, the Magi returned by another road to their own country. Their hearts were aglow with love and gratitude for the mercies of the Lord and they burned with the desire to proclaim to others the salvation which they had found. How eager were they to spread, in their own country, the spirit of Christ imparted to them so generously—the spirit of humility, poverty, mortification—the spirit of love, meekness, and self-immolation! Full of apostolic zeal, they fructified and confirmed their efforts to spread the knowledge of Christ by the sanctity of their lives. Such are the effects of grace in souls that have removed all impediments and, hence, correspond faithfully to the designs of God.
Two important lessons suggest themselves here. First, having found God, we should no longer walk as before, but like the Magi, enter upon a new and better life. Is our spiritual progress always commensurate with the many graces and enlightenments so frequently imparted to us in the sacred tribunal of Penance? Are we more zealous in the discharge of our vocational duties; is our faith more animated and humble; are we more sincere in the practice of charity, more devout in prayer, than before? Secondly, the Magi teach us the necessity of sharing our spiritual treasures with others. We, too, should become stars, enlightening others, instructing and leading them to God. Has not the Saviour said: “So let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father Who is in heaven” (Matt. 5, 16)? Oh, how much good can religious effect who, animated with the spirit of God, discharge the duties of their state of life with the utmost fidelity!
Affections: O Divine Child, Thou art in truth a holy magnet, attracting all hearts to Thee and holding them fast with amiable power. Thou didst draw the Magi through the bright star and the light of Thy grace. How precious the gifts of grace with which Thou didst enrich their souls! I, too, long for the heavenly gifts of Thy love and mercy, O my Divine Saviour. I, too, wish to serve Thee with renewed fervor, with generosity and complete abandonment of self. Thou hast given me the desire, give me also the strength and courage to subjugate my passions, patiently and with resignation to bear all misfortunes and afflictions, and, like the holy Magi, let me incite many souls to the practice of virtue by the light of my good example, that under the sweet reign of Thy love they may find true happiness in glorifying Thy name.
Resolution: I will frequently renew the resolve to perform my devotional exercises with greater fervor.
Spiritual Bouquet: “They went back another way into their own country.”
Prayer: O Jesus, living in Mary . . .
“And having been warned in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their own country” (Matt. 2, 12).
First Prelude: In spirit behold the Magi, once more prostrating themselves in adoration before the Divine Child.
Second Prelude: Grant us grace, O Jesus, to value ever more the happiness of frequently communing with Thee in prayer, that we may stake all to derive great benefit from so salutary a practice.
FIRST POINT
THE MAGI LEAVE BETHLEHEM COMPLETELY TRANSFORMED INTERIORLY
We may well say that the Magi did not come to Bethlehem unprepared. How faithfully did they co-operate with the light of grace vouchsafed them simultaneously with the appearance of the star! How great was their desire, their faith, their hope, their love and perseverance! In childlike simplicity and humility, they prostrated themselves before the Divine Child, in Whom they recognized not only the King of the Jews, but their God and the Saviour of the world.
Their hearts resembled the field spoken of in the gospel, which yielded fruit a hundred-fold. Though the sweet presence of the Holy Child and His Blessed Mother was theirs but for a short time, what a treasure of heavenly light, of love and grace was imparted to them! How gladly would they have spent their whole life in the company of Jesus and Mary! But the Will of God, manifested to them in sleep, bade them return to their own country, and so they departed from Bethlehem with the same fidelity and ready obedience with which they had followed the directions of the star.
Oh, the wonderful effects of intimate union with Jesus, the Author of all sanctity! And we, who, perhaps, for many years have lived close to Jesus in holy religion, and so frequently receive Him in Holy Communion, do not profit by such intimacy! Do we not come in contact with the self-same God Who effected such a wonderful transformation in the hearts of the Magi? Oh, we are lacking in living faith and active love. We approach the sacred mysteries with slight preparation, and are, therefore, not worthy of the plenitude of graces reserved for fervent souls.
Let us examine ourselves seriously to see what hinders us from deriving the proper fruit from our frequent intercourse with Jesus in the various religious exercises.
SECOND POINT
THE MAGI RETURN HOME BY ANOTHER WAY, AND ANNOUNCE THE MERCIES OF THE LORD
Having been warned in sleep, the Magi returned by another road to their own country. Their hearts were aglow with love and gratitude for the mercies of the Lord and they burned with the desire to proclaim to others the salvation which they had found. How eager were they to spread, in their own country, the spirit of Christ imparted to them so generously—the spirit of humility, poverty, mortification—the spirit of love, meekness, and self-immolation! Full of apostolic zeal, they fructified and confirmed their efforts to spread the knowledge of Christ by the sanctity of their lives. Such are the effects of grace in souls that have removed all impediments and, hence, correspond faithfully to the designs of God.
Two important lessons suggest themselves here. First, having found God, we should no longer walk as before, but like the Magi, enter upon a new and better life. Is our spiritual progress always commensurate with the many graces and enlightenments so frequently imparted to us in the sacred tribunal of Penance? Are we more zealous in the discharge of our vocational duties; is our faith more animated and humble; are we more sincere in the practice of charity, more devout in prayer, than before? Secondly, the Magi teach us the necessity of sharing our spiritual treasures with others. We, too, should become stars, enlightening others, instructing and leading them to God. Has not the Saviour said: “So let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father Who is in heaven” (Matt. 5, 16)? Oh, how much good can religious effect who, animated with the spirit of God, discharge the duties of their state of life with the utmost fidelity!
Affections: O Divine Child, Thou art in truth a holy magnet, attracting all hearts to Thee and holding them fast with amiable power. Thou didst draw the Magi through the bright star and the light of Thy grace. How precious the gifts of grace with which Thou didst enrich their souls! I, too, long for the heavenly gifts of Thy love and mercy, O my Divine Saviour. I, too, wish to serve Thee with renewed fervor, with generosity and complete abandonment of self. Thou hast given me the desire, give me also the strength and courage to subjugate my passions, patiently and with resignation to bear all misfortunes and afflictions, and, like the holy Magi, let me incite many souls to the practice of virtue by the light of my good example, that under the sweet reign of Thy love they may find true happiness in glorifying Thy name.
Resolution: I will frequently renew the resolve to perform my devotional exercises with greater fervor.
Spiritual Bouquet: “They went back another way into their own country.”
Prayer: O Jesus, living in Mary . . .
These meditations come from a treasured old volume, copyright 1925 by Frederick Pustet Co., Inc. They are presented here exactly as found in the original book—word for word—and carry the quiet, steady tone of a guide long used in convents around the world. Yet their simplicity and directness remain just as helpful for anyone seeking a more prayerful, faithful daily life.
No comments:
Post a Comment