EPIPHANY, THREE KINGS, B
EXCHANGE GIFTS
The gospel gives us a lovely picture of the
Christmas season. It is like a gathering of people for an exchange of
gifts. Aren’t we excited each year
for the “exchange gifts?”
The Magi brought their gifts of gold, frankincense
and myrrh.
Mary gave Jesus the gift of her womb, her Yes, her
whole self.
Joseph gave Jesus the gift of a real family, and of
earthly fatherly love.
What can equal the gift God prepared today? he gives
us his own self, through the presence of His only Son, Jesus Christ!
To the Magi, Jesus gives the gift of the Messiah
they desire
To Mary, Jesus gives the gift of a loving Son
To Joseph, Jesus gives the gift of honor and dignity
to his whole race
How great it is to be able to give… and to
experience receiving as well. But
what about when we begin to say, we have no gifts? We have nothing to
give, nothing to share with the
Lord? Or even with others, if we have
no money, no talent, no achievement to offer?
You – your self – are the gift! You are the gift God is waiting
for. you are the gift your family
and loved ones are waiting for! don’t worry that you cannot give material
things, these are secondary.
In fact with God, we can even offer our weakness,
our sins, our failures, our fears.
And if we have very little of love, joy, and caring within us, that can
be an enormous gift for others who need it.
Like Joseph and Mary, and the Magi, offer what you
have, or what you are, better still. And experience the gift of God that comes
through his Son and through the people around you.
