We all love a good story.  Sometimes we have the chance to curl up with a good book on a rainy day and enter another world – of fiction or autobiography.  Today’s story of the magi (recorded only in Matthew’s gospel) takes us on a long and dangerous journey with the wise men, or astrologers, who follow a special star which guides them from their distant,  eastern home to where they worship the Jewish child they find in Bethlehem.

Is Matthew’s story of the magi following a star meant to prod me into reflecting on “What is guiding my own life journey” or to ask myself “What am I seeking”?  Perhaps it does that, but today’s readings have a profound truth about the universality of God’s love.

God’s saving grace, offered in the person of his Son, Jesus, is not given to just one race of people, the Jews, or believers of one creed, Christians.  Paul reminds the Ephesians that God showed him clearly that the Gentiles now share the same inheritance as the Jews. We are all members of the same body and “co-partners in the promise in Christ through the gospel”.

The prophet Isaiah speaks of a time when a new light will shine upon Jerusalem and the darkness of despair will be lifted ~
‘the glory of the Lord’ shines upon you. 
Not only will Jerusalem’s sons and daughters return from their Babylonian exile, but strangers from other nations shall come bringing wealth and new prosperity. There is a  universality in the promise that other nations will walk by the light given to Jerusalem.

Our three readings are clearly reminding us of the truth that all nations share God’s gifts ~ Jesus is given to the world to bring good news and hope to all humankind.

In different and individual ways men and women of every race, colour and creed, want, and often earnestly seek, an authentic life that gives meaning to their relationships and their ordinary human experiences.  As Christians we are called to recognize that God’s love is all-inclusive, and we, too, must lovingly embrace and work to foster a more multi-cultural, inclusive and tolerant society and church.

Jesus, the Light of the World, is the God-given Saviour for everyone. I am called to reach out so that one day, “Lord, every nation on earth will adore you”.

 Can I respect the faith journey of Buddhist, Muslim or Jewish neighbours?

 Does my loving outreach extend to those of other religious and cultural traditions?

 Can I be open to the newcomer, the refugee, the one who ‘comes from afar’ ?

 If my heart remains closed  how can I  share the good news of hope with others ?

Denise Sullivan OP