Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

 

January 31, 2021

Readings:

First Reading: Deuteronomy 18: 15-20

Psalm 95 “If today you hear his voice, harder not your hearts.”

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 7: 32-35

Gospel reading according to Mark 1: 21-28

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Homily:

Now, Jesus is spreading the good news of God with his chosen disciples to the place where his words will be listened to and accepted – in Capernaum, Galilee.  “Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers” (Mark 1: 21) and settled there.  We learn from the Gospels that Jesus left Nazareth and settled in Capharnaum (Mt 4:12) which in some way became “his own town” (Mt 9:1; see also Stanislao Loffreda OFM (2001), Capernaum the Town of Jesus, Studium Biblicum Franciscanum).  He brought with him his first disciples – Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John to introduce them in his mission and ministry.    

Actually Capernaum much more than Nazareth offered Jesus a twofold advantage as far as his messianic activity was concerned. Firstly, Capernaum was a crossroad of primary importance, being along the Beth-shan -- Damascus highway; whereas Nazareth was a mountainous and isolated hamlet.  Secondly, Capernaum was sufficiently apart from the big centers and especially from Tiberias where Herod Antipas had set his capital. In that way Jesus was able to spread his messianic message to many persons without running too soon into trouble with the political and religious leaders. In contrast to Nazareth, the population of Capernaum was highly stratified: fishermen, farmers, artisans, merchants, publicans etc. They lived in the same village but apparently without any strident economic inequality. Even the relations between the inhabitants of Capernaum and the Romans were surprisingly cordial. It was a Roman centurion who built the synagogue for the Jewish community.  From the same community Jesus chose many of his apostles either among fishermen (Peter, Andrew, James, John - Mt 4:12-22) or publicans (Matthew - Mk 2:13). 

To begin with his ministry, as a faithful Jew, the one Moses prophesied to the Jewish people  “A prophet like me will the Lord, your God, raise up for you from among your own kin, to him you shall listen” (Dt. 18: 15) “. . . on a Sabbath he entered the synagogue” (Mark 1; 21) and because he was a new member of the community, he was invited to teach them something about the scripture being read, “. . . and taught” (Mark 1: 21).  It was noticeable and remarkable how Jesus taught them.  “The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes” (Mark 1: 22).  Jesus does not quote anybody, unlike any rabbi, scholar, and any teacher who quotes other specialists, sages of old, and former rabbis in their teachings.  Jesus uses his own knowledge, wisdom, and intellect in teaching people.  He is the author of what he is teaching. 

And it shows that his teaching has authority; and in reality and truth, that it has power every word he utters.  “In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?  Have you come to destroy us?  I know who you are – the Holy One of God!  Jesus rebuked him and said, ‘Quiet! Come out of him!  The unclean spirit convulsed him and with loud cry came out of him” (Mark 1: 23-26).  What was this man doing in the synagogue since he was possessed by the unclean spirits (devils,/demons)?  This man was mingling with the worshipers of Yahweh.  Nevertheless, even the unclean (evil) spirits recognized Jesus’s word; His word has authority and power, and the unclean spirits obeyed him.  It also knew who Jesus was, where Jesus came from, and it knew also the purpose for his coming. 

The people in the synagogue at Capernaum evidently confirmed that Jesus’s words had authority and power.  They were not a mere lip service only, but in truth and in fact it can heal and change of heart, mind and body like what had happened to a man in the synagogue possessed by an unclean spirit.  He was cured by the words of Jesus Christ.  We too can be cleansed by the word of Jesus if we will listen to him and act upon it.  “All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this?  A new teaching with authority.  He commands even the unclean spirits and they obeyed him” (Mark 1: 27).  “This was well said. I will put my words into his mouth; he shall tell them all that I command him,” (Dt. 18: 17-18) said by the Lord God to Moses.  We have to listen to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ every day of our life.  

What Jesus taught and healing in Capernaum made him famous and popular.  “His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee” (Mark 1:28). The Jews present in the synagogue were the ones who spread the good news, and those who heard them became excited and eager to see Jesus and to listen to his words.  Are we ready too to listen to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ? and to spread them to other people we knew and met in the street?

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

 

January 24, 202

Readings:

First Reading: Jonas 3: 1-5, 10

Psalm 25 “Teach me your ways, O Lord.”

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 7: 27-31

Gospel reading according to Mark 1: 14-20

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Homily:

John was arrested and put to prison by King Herod because he said and proclaimed that it was not lawful to take Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.  He did not like what the prophet John talked about him and his concubine, but he loved to hear his voice.  He was also afraid of John because he was telling the truth.  Then, Jesus came to the scene after the arrest of John as a sign or signal that the time has come for Jesus to fulfil the will of God.   “After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: ‵This is the time of fulfillment.  The Kingdom of God is at hand.  Repent, and believe in the Gospel′.” (Mark 1: 14-15).  Jesus is now ready to fulfill his mission, the plan of God.  Jesus started his ministry in Galilee.  But of all places, why in Galilee? Why not in Nazareth where he was lived and raised to manhood?  Galilee (Hebrew: הַגָּלִיל‎, HaGalil; Arabic: الجليل‎, romanized: al-Jalīl) is a region located in northern Israel and southern Lebanon.  Galilee traditionally refers to the mountainous part, divided into Upper Galilee (Hebrew: הגליל העליון‎, HaGalil Ha'Elyon; Arabic: الجليل الأعلى‎, Al Jalil Al A'alaa) and Lower Galilee (Hebrew: גליל תחתון‎, romanized: Galil Tahton, Arabic: الجليل الأسفل‎, romanized: Al Jalil Al Asfal). The Jewish historian Josephus claims that there were 204 small towns in Galilee, but modern scholars believe this estimate to be an exaggeration. Many of these towns were located around the Sea of Galilee, which contained many edible fish and which was surrounded by fertile land.  Salted, dried, and pickled fish were an important export good. The Hebrew form used in Isaiah 8:23 is in the construct state, g'lil ha-goyím (Hebrew: גְּלִיל הַגּוֹיִם‎), meaning 'Galilee of the nations', i.e. the part of Galilee inhabited by Gentiles at the time that the book was written (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galilee).  So, Galilee is a free, democratic district or town.  The Jews and the Gentiles were living together harmoniously as compared to the south of Israel (in Judea and Jerusalem) where Gentiles were not allowed to live and mix with the Jews. Therefore, it was easy for Jesus to preach the Gospel of God, repentance and the Kingdom of God to anybody who can listen and accept or deny his teaching and preaching.  He preached to the peoples whether Jews or Greeks or Romans, gentiles, slaves or freemen, foreigners and strangers; therefore, all peoples of walk of life.  Galilee can be a model of (modern) inter-religious dialogue where anybody can express his/her creed, faith, beliefs, and religion, etc., freely and without hindrance from any authorities.

While walking and meditating along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew, whom he met already and became acquainted.  He even renamed Simon to Peter (Cephas), after he was introduced to Jesus by Andrew; when Andrew, a disciple of John the Baptist came and followed Jesus, and stayed with him.   “As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen.  Jesus said to them, ‵Come after me and I will make you fishers of men.′ Then they abandoned their nets and followed him” (Mark 1: 16-18).  He called the two, who were casting their nets into the sea, for they were fishermen. Jesus invited them to come and become “fishers of men” instead of catching fish.  The two brothers left their boats and nets and followed Jesus.  There are many opportunities that Jesus called us to serve him through our brothers and sisters in need, but sometimes we did not listen to his calling and did what we thought best for ourselves.  Do we give a space to the call of Jesus even in a short time of service?  Are we ready to give time and energy, and even our whole being, our property and family, our works to give way to the call of Jesus?  

Jesus walked farther with the two new recruits and came across to the family of Zebedee.  He saw James and his brother John mending nets.  They too were fishermen. “He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.  They too were in a boat mending nets.  Then he called them.  So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him” (Mark 1: 19-20).  He called them, too, to come and become fishers of men.  Immediately they left their father Zebedee with the hired men and the nets and followed Jesus.

Of all people in Galilee, even in Judea and Jerusalem, why did Jesus choose fishermen to become his helpers to catch men by proclaiming the Gospel of God, of repentance and the Reign-Kingdom of God? They were ordinary people, without proper education, of knowledge of the Books of Moses and the Prophets and the History of Israel, no constant contact to their neighbors and nearby country, without wealth nor power.   They were not trained to lead people, but still Jesus has chosen them.  What things are there that these fishermen have to be selected among many people?  Why not the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, priests, etc., in Jerusalem they were educated, well-versed of the Torah, the Prophets and the History of Israel? They have power and authority and they can lead people, why not them? Because the lives of fishermen are tested by waves, sea thunder and typhoons, and storms, they are strong and courageous, and patience in waiting for the coming of the school of fish, and with high spirit which the people in Jerusalem and the rest of other people do not possess.  And they are easy to train in the work heavenly things for they were innocent if not ignorant, they are clean in mind, spirit and soul, as compared to the chief priests, scribes, Sadducees and Pharisees, even the Sanhedrin were already full of knowledge, all knowing and hard to teach new heavenly things.  Jesus knows that these fishermen can endure all the hardships which his mission demanded.  When they follow Jesus there is no turning back as they go as fishers of men.

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

 

January 17, 2021

Feast of St. Anthony, Abbot

Readings:

First Reading: 1 Samuel 3: 3b-10, 19

Psalm 40 “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.”

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 6: 13c-15a, 17-20

Gospel reading according to John 1: 35-42

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Homily:

John′s ministry (baptism and preaching of repentance) and time are about to end and to be replaced by the mission of Jesus, the Lamb of God, whom John called him.  “John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, ‵Behold, the Lamb of God‵.” (John 1: 35-36).  While standing and ready to relieve from his tasks, and looking at Jesus walking, along with his two disciples, Andrew and the unnamed one, he pointed and said to them the “Lamb of God.”  Why did John call Jesus the Lamb of God? What does it mean the Lamb of God? Lamb of God (in Greek: Ἀμνὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, romanized: Amnòs toû Theoû; in Latin: Agnus Deī [ˈaɲus ˈde. i]) “is a title for Jesus that appears in the Gospel of John. It appears at John 1:29, where John the Baptist sees Jesus and exclaims, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." It appears again in John 1:36” (https://www.google.com/search?=lamb+of+god).  The theme Lamb of God in the Christian doctrine “holds that a divine Jesus chose to suffer crucifixion at Calvary as a sign of his full obedience to the will of his divine Father, as an "agent and servant of God" in carrying away the sins of the world.  In  Christian theology the Lamb of God is viewed as both foundational and integral to the message of Christianity. A lion-like lamb that rises to deliver victory after being slain appears several times in the Book of Revelation. It is also referred to in Pauline writings; I Corinthians 5:7 suggests that Saint Paul intends to refer to the death of Jesus, who is the Paschal Lamb, using the theme found in Johannine writings. The lamb metaphor is also in line with Psalm 23, which depicts God as a shepherd leading his flock (mankind)” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamb_of_God).  The first thing John does is what he’s been doing all along – drawing our attention to who Jesus is.  Once again he proclaims in a loud voice, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!”  John cannot deny to his two disciples the coming of the new leader who will lead the flock (humankind) to a new way of life and to God whom he served faithfully. 

When the two disciples of John also saw Jesus and heard from John that Jesus is the one they are waiting for and he is the Messiah (Christ, the Anointed One), what do these disciples of John do? They left John and followed Jesus, for Jesus is the one who will teach them about the Reign-Kingdom of God and many others. They leave John and go after Jesus.  “The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.  Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, ‵What are you looking for?′ They said to him, ‵Rabbi′ – which translated means Teacher – ‵where are you staying?′  He said to them, ‵Come, and you will see.′  So they went and saw where Jesus was staying, and they stayed with him than day.  It was about four in the afternoon” (John 1: 37-39).  When Jesus sensed that he was followed, he turned and saw the two disciples of John, and he asked them why they were following him, what they are looking for?  Instead of asking: Are you the one we are waiting for? Are you the Messiah (Christ)? Are you the Son of God? Why did John call Jesus Lamb of God?  Instead they asked him where you are staying.  He said to them, “Come and see.” It is like he is saying, “Come with me and see for yourself.  Learn about who I am and what I am like by being with me.” The two disciples came with him and remained with him that day.  This is something everyone is invited to do: to remain with Jesus, to know him personally.  It was four o′clock in the afternoon when they separated.

Immediately, Andrew looked for his brother Simon to share to him what they discovered.  “Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.  He first found his own brother Simon and told him, ‵We have found the Messiah′ – which is translated Christ.  Then he brought him to Jesus.  Jesus looked at him and said, ‵You are Simon the Son of John, you will be called Cephas′ – which is translated Peter” (John 1: 40-42).  Andrew, one o the two disciples who heard John and followed Jesus looked at once to Simon, his brother.  He told him that they found the Messiah.  Andrew brought Simon to Jesus.  Jesus looked at him with tender love and afterwards he remained Simon to Peter (Cephas), which means solid Rock.  How about us, when we found Jesus, do we bring our family members, friends, and neighbors to him?  Do we introduce him to them after finding where he was staying and staying with him?   In coming and seeing Jesus, we are willing to investigate, to ask, and consider who Jesus is.  While the invitation of Jesus is something personal, but after coming and seeing we also invite others to come and see him; nevertheless it is up to us to come and see.  May we find in our lives where Jesus was staying by coming, following and seeing the truth and the reality of Jesus.

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (B)

 

January 10, 2021

Readings:

First Reading: Isaiah 55: 1-11 (or Isaiah 42: 1-4, 6-7

Psalm 12 (or Ps 29) “You will draw water joyfully from the spring of salvation.” or

“The Lord will bless his people with peace.”

Second Reading: 1 John 5: 1-9, (or Acts 10: 34-38)

Gospel reading according to Mark 1: 7-11

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Homily:

Before Jesus was baptized, in Jerusalem and even the whole of Israel, was in darkness, in the shadow of death and in the valley of tears, chaotic, there was no peace and order, because of their leaders in the palace of the king and in the temple in Jerusalem, as well as the Roman subjugators.  King Herod was a tyrant king, he even killed his sons and others when he felt that his throne was threatened to lose in his possession; while the chief priests, scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees, even the Sanhedrin were corrupt.  Instead of looking after their people′s (sheep) welfare, spiritual and moral life, they were busy doing business (moneymaking, wealth seekers) in the temple selling cows, sheep, goats, doves and turtle doves, and changing money. While the Romans imposed taxes for their soldiers. 

Last year 2020, when we were also in darkness, in the valley of tears and in the shadow of death due to calamities after calamities that came in our country, lots of people suffered and died.   Nevertheless, during Christmas, there were lots of hopes, faiths and thanksgiving despite of what had happened to our country, beginning from the eruption of Taal Volcano up to typhoons Ulysses and Rolly aside from covid-19 that killed thousands of lives accompanied with lockdown and quarantine.  As if we underwent baptism – immersion to the deep water (death) and raised up out (to life) with lots of confidence (new life; new normal) and ready to start again.

Mark, in his gospel, showed John the Baptist introducing to his listeners about the coming of Jesus, the Son of God, whom they did not know or recognize.  He also explained to them about his baptism of water (cleansing from sin) and the baptism of the Holy Spirit (giving strength).   “This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: One mightier than I is coming after me.  I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.  I have baptized you with water, he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mark 1: 7-8).  John the Baptist described the One who is coming into the world to bring good news as an example to many.  He humbled himself as lower than a slave, who even to stoop and loosen the thongs of the sandals he was not worthy  The One who is to come will baptize with the power of the Holy Spirit to complete the baptism of John which is cleansing of sins and the stain of sins.

When the time comes to fulfill the will of his Father, Jesus left Nazareth and his mother Mary, and went to Jordan to be baptized by John, not because he has sin to be washed away by the cleansing water but as part of the mission that he will do. “It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John” (Mark 1: 9).  The Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist is the beginning of his mission, to bring light to many, glad tidings to the poor and the oppressed, the sick, physically and mentally disabled, possessed by evil spirits (devils and demons), etc., and of proclaiming the Reign-Kingdom of God and of Heaven, which reigns love, hope, and faith, aside from justice, peace, reconciliation, mercy and compassion, and integrity of creation, these Jesus will teach, preach and do in his forthcoming public ministry.

After Jesus immersing from the river and raised out up in the water, he saw the heavens were forcefully burse and torn open, and the Holy Spirit descended on him.  “On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him” (Mark 1: 10).  The Holy Spirit (Ruach), if we understand the idea of God, especially the Holy Spirit, being like a breath or wind, we can grasp the meaning of the Hebrew word “Ruach.” This word refers to God as a breath, a wind, or a life force that sustains all living things, human beings included) (https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-terms/ruach), that hovered the sea in the beginning of the creation (Genesis 1: 1-2) is the same Holy Spirit that descended from heaven and hovered around the River Jordan where Jesus was baptized, and breathe the power of God, His Father.  Also, the Holy Spirit is likened to a dove descended to Jesus after his baptism can be connected or compared in the Old Testament (Genesis 8:11), a dove was released by Noah after the flood in order to find land; it came back carrying a freshly plucked olive leaf (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doves_as_symbols), that brought peace between God and man after the deluge during the time of Noah, as the Psalmist sang, “The Lord will bless his people with peace” (v. 29), and in the New Testament, in the Acts of the Apostles, (Acts 2: 1-31) during the Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended to the Apostles and disciples of Jesus (Matthew 17:1–8, Mark 9:2–8, Luke 9:28–36, also refers to 2 Peter 1:16–18).

God, the Father, who is in heaven, talked to his Son in the clouds of heavens, Jesus Christ and guaranteed his constant companionship and accompaniment and trust in everything he does and says.  “And a voice came from the heavens, You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1: 11).  The voice of God, the Father, was heard not by all people present in the River Jordan where John was baptizing, maybe they heard the sound of thunder, but only Jesus heard his Father’s voice, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”  This will happen again when Jesus will be transfigured in Mount Tabor and the voice of God will be heard, when God said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17: 5).  The same with us when we were baptized, the heavens were burse and torn open, the Holy Spirit descended and the voice of God the Father was heard, “This is my beloved child in whom I am well pleased.”

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (ABC)

 

January 3, 2021

Readings:

First Reading: Isaiah 60: 1-6

Psalm 72 “Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.”

Second Reading: Ephesians 3: 2-3a, 5-6

Gospel reading according to Matthew 2: 1-12

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Homily:

Toda we are celebrating the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord Jesus Christ to the Magi.  But before anything else let us know what the meaning of Epiphany is.  What is Epiphany?  And what is the significance of Epiphany in our faith-life?  Epiphany, according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, it means “as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles or in the Eastern Church in commemoration of the baptism of Christ; an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being; a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something; an intuitive grasp of reality through something (such as an event) usually simple and striking; an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure; a revealing scene or moment” (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epiphany).  Jesus manifested himself to the magi, they were kings, wise men, astrologers, non-Jews but Gentiles, and through his shining star rising from the east, the magi learned his birth.  Who were the magi and where did they come from?  Later story identified the magi by name and identified their lands of origin: Melchior hailed from Persia, Gaspar (also called "Caspar" or "Jaspar") from India, and Balthazar from Arabia.  Another story was that there were three kings/wise men/magi after Jesus was born, these wise men came to look for Him, probably from an area which is now in either Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the Yemen, or an area in what is now southern Turkey, northern Syria, most probably they came from the Middle East.  In the Old Testament, the Jewish people believed that they were the chosen and exclusive people of God. So, they divided the whole world into two: Jews who were the people of God, and Gentiles who were not.  Some of their prophets and wise men, like Isaiah, tried to correct this belief by reminding them of the universal love of God for all humankind. He said, “Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance” (Is. 60:3).  But it was not until Jesus came that this idea began to sink in.  Nowadays, we learned that Jesus did not come only for the Jews but for the whole peoples of different nations, cultures, languages, races and beliefs, whom the Jews called them (us) Gentiles or pagans.  Jesus also manifested to us when He was brought to us by the Spaniards on our Philippine shore 500 years ago.  

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Judea in the reign of King Herod, there came three kings, wise astrologers called magi to Jerusalem.  “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).  These three wise men were looking for the new born King of Israel and they came to give homage to him.  They saw His star rising and became their guide in searching for the new born child.  Being nature worshippers and not people of the book (scriptures), God revealed Himself to them through the means available to them in their own religion, a star. Through the star they were able to learn of the birth of Jesus and find their way to him.  Though the star disappeared when they reached Jerusalem, during those times they were covered in darkness, sins, and in the shadow of death.

When King Herod learned from the magi that a new born baby will become the new King of Israel, he became afraid and troubled thinking he might lose his possession of Judea and Jerusalem, for he was a ruthless and tyrant king.  “When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.  Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.  They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel” (Matthew 2: 3-6).  These attitudes are not only possessed by King Herod, there are some of us who do not want to lose their possession either power, authority and they manipulate and subjugate others who are weak to remain in their thrones.  Not only King Herod was troubled, even the whole Jerusalem was bothered and disturbed.  There was chaos in the whole of Jerusalem.  King Herod called a meeting of all the chief priests and scribes in Jerusalem to ask where the Messiah and Lord were to be born.  It showed only that Herod was not familiar with the history of Israel.  Even the chief priests and scribes, they did not know very well their history, so they consulted each other and using the scriptures, they found the answer.  From the Book of the Prophet Micah (5:2), they found the answer.

After the meeting with the chief priests and scribes, and learning the birthplace of the Messiah, he summoned the three kings secretly and asked when they saw the star of the new King.  “Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.  He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child.  When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage” (Matthew 2: 7-8).  Matthew, the Apostle and Evangelist, indicated in his gospel when the star appeared and was seen by the magi.  We may presume it was two years after the birth, for King Herod searched and killed all male children from two years old and below, “in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi” (cf. Matthew 2:16). He tried to convince also the magi to search for the infant diligently in all corners of Bethlehem and when they found him, he pleased them to go back to him, tell the exact place and he will go also to give homage to him, which in his mind was only a trick and he had bad intention or wrong motivation.  In his heart and mind, he wanted to kill the child Jesus.

When the magi learned the place but not the exact location, they left the palace of King Herod and continued their search, suddenly, the star re-appeared brightly on their way.  They followed wherever the star went.   “After their audience with the king they set out.  And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.  They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother.  They prostrated themselves and did him homage.  Then they opened their treasures and offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2: 9-11).  The star they followed led them to the place where the infant was and they were full of joy when they saw the star reappeared.  And because of the star they found the place where it was stopped.  They entered the house and saw the infant and his mother.  They bowed down and prostrated and gave him homage and presented their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.   

After a few days in the house of Joseph, Mary and Jesus, they were warned in a dream not to go back to King Herod for they too would be assassinated, so they used another road back home.  “And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way” (Matthew 2: 12). They came as gentiles, they worshipped Jesus as gentiles, and they went back home as gentiles. They were not converted either to Judaism or to Christianity. Their worship was acceptable to God and God directed them in their journey home through a dream. This shows that God does have a relationship with people of other religions who are neither Jews nor Christians.  There is only one God, and all who seek God with a sincere heart are led to Him, though they call Him by different names. One thing Christians have in common with members of other religions is that we all worship the same God. We are all children of the same Father, who manifested Himself to us through His Son Jesus Christ.