Ordinary Time

Pause

It's not what someone does for us that matters most; it's the very fact that they are with us when we need them that's important.

In moments of struggle and suffering - and in times of celebration and joy - we want another alongside us to share our experience.

The overriding message of Christmas is that God has come to be with us. And God is with you now.

Listen

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Matthew 2:7-12

Think

It is so easy to get caught up in our own little worlds and not notice what’s happening around us. When we are trapped in ourselves, we don’t see. We don’t see the glimmering frost on the winter grass. We don’t see the silent tears of a classmate in pain. We don’t see a friend in need of a hug. We don’t see a world that needs Christ through us.

We need to look up; otherwise we miss the world and life happening around us.

If the magi hadn’t sought something beyond themselves, they never would have seen the star. But they did, and bravely left their safe lives to follow it. Because of that, they met the Christ Child!

Pay attention today; you may encounter the Son of God.

Jennifer Peterson Singh

Pray

O Lord, help me to see the incredible world you create. Let me seek your light wherever I am. Turn my eyes towards you. Amen.

Go

Now go with the assurance that
God is revealed in you at your strongest and weakest.
God is revealed in all creation, including you.
God is revealed in every moment and in a single word.
God is revealed, recognized or not.
And God is revealed in the flesh – like our flesh – to bring us home.