“When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.’” Matthew 2:1-2

“The future rejection of Jesus by Israel and his acceptance by the Gentiles are retrojected into this scene of the narrative.  In the days of King Herod: Herod reigned from 37 to 4 B.C. Magi:  originally a designation of the Persian priestly caste, the word became used of those who were regarded as having more than human knowledge. Matthew’s magi are astrologers.”  Notes on Matthew 2: 1-12 in New American Bible Revised Edition

How come the Jewish religious leaders of Jesus’ day failed to recognize the Messiah? Perhaps they were too busy with things that seemed to them to be more important to their everyday well-being.

Let us, like the Magi, take time to pray and explore our Catholic faith so that we, like they, may enjoy and not miss God’s gifts and blessings which enrich our lives and the lives of those we meet.

Sister Loretta Fernandez RSM