Christian commitment – a matter of faith, hope, and love (Mt 2:1-12
During the holidays, in moments of silence, did you also think a lot about the things of everyday life? Perhaps also your attitude towards faith. His commitment. When we can get involved in other areas of life, how is it in getting involved in faith? Why do young people like to go to the disco? Why do I like to sit down at the chessboard? Why do I like to pick up a book? Or will I sit down at the piano? Because I’m happy about it? Yes. I have to make some effort, effort, but the result will please, satisfy, enrich, and fill with peace, and a feeling of happiness.
Today – on the Feast of the Epiphany – we read how the wise men: “… they fell to the ground and worshiped
him. Then they opened their treasuries and gave him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt 2:11-12).
Let us consider what a great desire it must have been that compelled the sages to set out on their journey. When they independently read from the books of the Jews that the star is supposed to announce the birth of an extraordinary king. They want to see him, to bow to him, and not only decency told them not to go empty-handed. Their commitment leads them to embark on a journey to an unknown land. Familiar events, familiar things, familiar people, and yet new motives, attitudes, and a new possibility of engagement.
People in the Gospel can be divided into several groups of personal involvement about Christ.
Herod represents people interested only in themselves. They make sure that no one and nothing threatens their comfort or well-being… They get involved when they feel threatened. They don’t shy away from pretense, meanness, and lies, they commit terror, violin and ce, and murder… Their involvement ends sooner than they think, is and often is the exact opposite of what they desire. Their lives can be compared to the grain of the parable, which the birds pick up before it takes root and starts to grow a stalk. What kind of life is this? Is this how we should realize our life? What is the meaning, essence, and goal of life on earth? One can also talk about baptized people, but not Christians. God is their enemy.
Some leaders of the nation from the groups of Pharisees and scribes represent the second group. They are educated, they have a responsibility, they know where it is written about the birth of the Messiah, they know where he is to be born, and, perhaps, they even saw a star and burned like a seed because it took root on a rock. Later they cut to catch Jesus talking, cut to his life, and even blaspheme him as he dies on the cross. The essence of life is power, glory, silent consent to sin, and obeisance. A Christian only gets involved when it suits him. Self against God.
Another group consists of the curious around Jesus from his birth to his resurrection. Soldiers murder Bethlehem boys. Judas betrays for thirty pieces of silver. A young man who has many possessions goes away sad. The crowd that seeks Jesus after the multiplication of the loaves and fishes does not accept Jesus’ words about true food. Another seed fell into a thorn. It suffocated. A Christian who engages only in the external forum fulfills his duties only out of habit: holidays are a matter of tradition, faith a matter of folklore. Such people cannot deny themselves, and therefore they will never feel the joy of personal involvement in faith. They cannot offer themselves as gold, frankincense, or myrrh. Their eyes do not see or do not want to see a model, an example of others from their surroundings, who in their commitment can give up and control a lot, but they receive much more than Jesus promised them.
The serious group is represented by shepherds and kings at the manger. What happened to them later? The important thing is that they fulfilled what was expected of them, what was asked of them. Shepherds talk and then keep silent. The kings returned to their country, and we know nothing more about their further activities. However, in their place, in their time, they were a grain that fulfilled its mission. It brought a harvest. A hundredfold harvest. God is no respecter of persons, but everyone who fears him and does what is right is pleasing to him. God gives us time, space, and talent and expects us to fulfill his expectation in the time he has determined, the length of which we do not know. Our commitment is a decisive value that cannot be underestimated.
During repairs around the church, and parish building, but also on other occasions, personal involvement brings joy, well-being, and often growth in faith.
They built a new church on the estate. a company built the church. It indeed brought many advantages: close to the church, pleasant a environment, and so on. Believers in its construction were involved only financially.
Others built a church on the estate, but with their help. This church also has many advantages, but one surpasses the previous ones, and it can be expressed in words: it is our church. Even after years, their memories are linked to certain things, and events during the construction and construction of the church. Personal commitment.
When an old musician was passing by a church where a new organ had recently been installed and heard it being played, he wanted to try the organ. He asked the organist, who was rehearsing some compositions. But he got a negative answer. He asked politely again, but the organist answered:
I’m sorry, but where would we get if everyone walking by wanted to try a new organ?
The old musician begged for the third time: “Just one song.”
He was not granted. He was leaving sadly, when suddenly his composition sounded from the organ, but very pitifully. He took offense. He returned and pointedly remarked,
“Sir, this piece must be played differently, let me.”
The organist—amazed by his insistence—allowed him to play. Beautiful notes rang out from the organ. Now the organist himself puts his hand on his shoulder and asks:
“Who are you?”
“Mendelssohn.”
“What? Are you a music composer? I’m sorry I didn’t let you right away.’
The musician was personally involved. How many times do we easily and quickly renounce personal involvement for our cause, beneficial for the soul or souls of others? It is necessary to pursue your goal, which is by the words: Thy will be done… Knowing how to bring a gift to God. Even himself as a king, his gifts. Let’s consider what the Child Jesus rightfully expects from us as a gift. That we have nothing? And what is most valuable to ourselves?
The sages accepted the appeal to the star. They made the journey. They brought gifts. Many stars in our life invite us on the way to realize the words: Thy will be done. And our answer?
Christmas holidays are like days of spiritual exercises, during which we have more time to think about our involvement in spiritual life. Even today’s Gospel about the wise men is a lesson, a call to a more active approach in the field of engagement.
