Daily Retreat 01/06/08
2008 Jan 6 SUN: EPIPHANY OF THE LORD S
Is 60: 1-6/ Ps 71(72): 1-2. 7-8. 10-11. 12-13/ Eph 3: 2-3a. 5-6/ Mt 2: 1-12
From today’s readings: “Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem - your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you.... Lord, every nation on earth will adore You.... the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.... Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw His star at its rising and have come to do Him homage.”
Insights from 3 Wisemen, during a recent Church visit
2nd Wiseman: Just imagine how wonderful it would have been to visit Jesus in Bethlehem...
1st Wiseman: But that’s what we’re doing now!
2nd Wiseman: No, I’m talking about the real, actual Bethlehem, that you can see and touch!
1st Wiseman: But the word “Bethlehem” actually means “House of Bread”!
2nd Wiseman: Well, so?
1st Wiseman: Look over there! (pointing to the Tabernacle)
2nd Wiseman: You mean that fancy box by the wall? That’s called the “Tabernacle,” right? What’s so special about that?
1st Wiseman: Because the Tabernacle contains the Eucharistic Bread, and so, like Bethlehem, it is “the House of Bread.”
3rd wiseman: Yeah.... but....but it’s not the real Bethlehem, like ....where the three kings actually were right there in the presence of baby Jesus.
1st Wiseman: Oh, but it is! You see, the Eucharist Bread is the Real Presence, the Body of Christ, so He is present here in this Church, as He was present in Bethlehem.
2nd Wiseman: You know, I never thought of it like that! We really can worship Christ here, just as if we were there in the city of Bethlehem.
1st Wiseman: Yes! And since we are in the Presence of Christ, we should always act with the greatest reverence, just like the three wisemen did in Bethlehem. It’s proper to always genuflect before the Tabernacle, like this.... (genuflects).
2nd Wiseman: (Genuflects) Yeah, that make sense - after all, the Tabernacle contains the King of Kings!
1st Wiseman: Exactly. So we always act as if we were in the presence of our King, because in fact, we are! This means there should never be any unnecessary talking, that we should always act with respect and reverence in the church, like....
3rd wiseman: Hey dude! What’s with all these little lights? (PAUSE) And why are there so many read flowers all over the place???? (PAUSE) And check out this log doll house.... (Pointing to Navitity set) And....look at ME - I’m one of those three wise guys!
1st Wiseman: NOT like that!
2nd Wiseman (talking to 3rd wiseman): Hey - don’t you know that when we act reverently and maintain a sacred silence, we’re showing that we realize Jesus is here - don’t you think you should act reverently in the Church too?
3rd wiseman: Pfff! Whatever! I don’t think so. After all, this isn’t the type of place where a real king would hang out. Compared with palaces and mansions, this place is nothing!
1st Wiseman: You’re right this building doesn’t match up to even a simple palace, but remember, Jesus was born in a stable, and because HE was there, the Three Kings acted with as much reverence in that place where animals were sleeping as if they were in a palace.
3rd wiseman: (PAUSE) Well.... I guess I never thought of it that way before. (Genuflects) You’ve got a good point - we really are blessed to be here in the presence of Jesus at Bethlehem, “the House of Bread!”
Is 60: 1-6/ Ps 71(72): 1-2. 7-8. 10-11. 12-13/ Eph 3: 2-3a. 5-6/ Mt 2: 1-12
From today’s readings: “Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem - your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you.... Lord, every nation on earth will adore You.... the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.... Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw His star at its rising and have come to do Him homage.”
Insights from 3 Wisemen, during a recent Church visit
2nd Wiseman: Just imagine how wonderful it would have been to visit Jesus in Bethlehem...
1st Wiseman: But that’s what we’re doing now!
2nd Wiseman: No, I’m talking about the real, actual Bethlehem, that you can see and touch!
1st Wiseman: But the word “Bethlehem” actually means “House of Bread”!
2nd Wiseman: Well, so?
1st Wiseman: Look over there! (pointing to the Tabernacle)
2nd Wiseman: You mean that fancy box by the wall? That’s called the “Tabernacle,” right? What’s so special about that?
1st Wiseman: Because the Tabernacle contains the Eucharistic Bread, and so, like Bethlehem, it is “the House of Bread.”
3rd wiseman: Yeah.... but....but it’s not the real Bethlehem, like ....where the three kings actually were right there in the presence of baby Jesus.
1st Wiseman: Oh, but it is! You see, the Eucharist Bread is the Real Presence, the Body of Christ, so He is present here in this Church, as He was present in Bethlehem.
2nd Wiseman: You know, I never thought of it like that! We really can worship Christ here, just as if we were there in the city of Bethlehem.
1st Wiseman: Yes! And since we are in the Presence of Christ, we should always act with the greatest reverence, just like the three wisemen did in Bethlehem. It’s proper to always genuflect before the Tabernacle, like this.... (genuflects).
2nd Wiseman: (Genuflects) Yeah, that make sense - after all, the Tabernacle contains the King of Kings!
1st Wiseman: Exactly. So we always act as if we were in the presence of our King, because in fact, we are! This means there should never be any unnecessary talking, that we should always act with respect and reverence in the church, like....
3rd wiseman: Hey dude! What’s with all these little lights? (PAUSE) And why are there so many read flowers all over the place???? (PAUSE) And check out this log doll house.... (Pointing to Navitity set) And....look at ME - I’m one of those three wise guys!
1st Wiseman: NOT like that!
2nd Wiseman (talking to 3rd wiseman): Hey - don’t you know that when we act reverently and maintain a sacred silence, we’re showing that we realize Jesus is here - don’t you think you should act reverently in the Church too?
3rd wiseman: Pfff! Whatever! I don’t think so. After all, this isn’t the type of place where a real king would hang out. Compared with palaces and mansions, this place is nothing!
1st Wiseman: You’re right this building doesn’t match up to even a simple palace, but remember, Jesus was born in a stable, and because HE was there, the Three Kings acted with as much reverence in that place where animals were sleeping as if they were in a palace.
3rd wiseman: (PAUSE) Well.... I guess I never thought of it that way before. (Genuflects) You’ve got a good point - we really are blessed to be here in the presence of Jesus at Bethlehem, “the House of Bread!”
posted by FrPitstick | 1/05/2008
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