{"id":5527,"date":"2023-01-04T15:02:56","date_gmt":"2023-01-04T14:02:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/predication.net\/?p=5527"},"modified":"2023-01-04T15:02:57","modified_gmt":"2023-01-04T14:02:57","slug":"feast-of-the-epiphany-three-kings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/predication.net\/?p=5527","title":{"rendered":"Feast of the Epiphany – Three Kings"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Christian commitment – a matter of faith, hope, and love (Mt 2:1-12 <\/span><\/h2>\n

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.\u00a0His commitment. When we can get involved in other areas of life, how is it in getting involved in faith?\u00a0Why do young people like to go to the disco?\u00a0Why do I like to sit down at the chessboard?\u00a0Why do I like to pick up a book?\u00a0Or will I sit down at the piano?\u00a0Because I’m happy about it?\u00a0Yes.\u00a0I have to make some effort, effort, but the result will please, satisfy, enrich, and fill with peace, and a feeling of happiness.<\/span><\/p>\n

Today – on the Feast of the Epiphany – we read how the wise men: “… they fell to the ground and worshiped<\/span>
\nhim.\u00a0Then they opened their treasuries and gave him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt 2:11-12).<\/span><\/p>\n

Let us consider what a great desire it must have been that compelled the sages to set out on their journey.\u00a0When they independently read from the books of the Jews that the star is supposed to announce the birth of an extraordinary king.\u00a0They want to see him, to bow to him, and not only decency told them not to go empty-handed.\u00a0Their 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

People in the Gospel can be divided into several groups of personal involvement about Christ.<\/span>
\nHerod represents people interested only in themselves.\u00a0They 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.\u00a0What kind of life is this?\u00a0Is this how we should realize our life?\u00a0What is the meaning, essence, and goal of life on earth? One can also talk about baptized people, but not Christians.\u00a0God is their enemy.<\/span>
\nSome 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.<\/span>
\nAnother group consists of the curious around Jesus from his birth to his resurrection.\u00a0Soldiers murder Bethlehem boys.\u00a0Judas betrays for thirty pieces of silver.\u00a0A young man who has many possessions goes away sad.\u00a0The crowd that seeks Jesus after the multiplication of the loaves and fishes does not accept Jesus’ words about true food.\u00a0Another seed fell into a thorn.\u00a0It suffocated.\u00a0A 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.\u00a0Such people cannot deny themselves, and therefore they will never feel the joy of personal involvement in faith.\u00a0They 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.<\/span>
\nThe 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.<\/span>
\nDuring repairs around the church, and parish building, but also on other occasions, personal involvement brings joy, well-being, and often growth in faith.<\/span>
\nThey 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.<\/span>
\nOthers 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.\u00a0Even after years, their memories are linked to certain things, and events during the construction and construction of the church. Personal commitment.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0He asked the organist, who was rehearsing some compositions.\u00a0But he got a negative answer.\u00a0He asked politely again, but the organist answered:<\/span>
\nI’m sorry, but where would we get if everyone walking by wanted to try a new organ?<\/span>
\nThe old musician begged for the third time: “Just one song.”<\/span>
\nHe was not granted.\u00a0He was leaving sadly, when suddenly his composition sounded from the organ, but very pitifully.\u00a0He took offense.\u00a0He returned and pointedly remarked,<\/span>
\n“Sir, this piece must be played differently, let me.”<\/span>
\nThe organist\u2014amazed by his insistence\u2014allowed him to play.\u00a0Beautiful notes rang out from the organ.\u00a0Now the organist himself puts his hand on his shoulder and asks:<\/span>
\n\u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/span>
\n\u201cMendelssohn.\u201d<\/span>
\n\u201cWhat?\u00a0Are you a music composer? I’m sorry I didn’t let you right away.’<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span>
\nThe sages accepted the appeal to the star.\u00a0They made the journey.\u00a0They brought gifts.\u00a0Many stars in our life invite us on the way to realize the words: Thy will be done. And our answer?<\/span><\/p>\n

Christmas holidays are like days of spiritual exercises, during which we have more time to think about our involvement in spiritual life.\u00a0Even today’s Gospel about the wise men is a lesson, a call to a more active approach in the field of engagement.<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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.\u00a0His commitment. 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