Tag: their journey

Thought for the Day – 8 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Their Journey”

+1. The journey of the Magi from their own Country to Palestine, just because a Star appeared in a certain quarter of the heavens, was very like a fool’s errand. Was a mere floating tradition a sufficient ground for undertaking a long, arduous and costly journey? Were not their duties at home of more importance and had they not a greater claim than this strange apparition which tempted them away? What is folly to man is often wisdom to God.
How often have similar arguments been used to deter Protestants from making their submission to the Church and, to dissuade Catholics, from Consecrating themselves to God! Perhaps I may sometimes have followed the dictates of mere worldly wisdom, neglecting supernatural grace?

+2. The Star led the Magi on until they arrived in Jerusalem and then, it disappeared. In the bustle of the City, no Star. In the Palace of Herod, no Star. The busy hum of the crowd seems to be a hindrance to God’s holy inspirations.

+3. Did the Magi , under these circumstances, accept the situation and devote their time to the sights and wonders of the Holy City? No! nothing would satisfy them, except the fulfilment of their mission.
What a lesson to us who are so easily diverted by worldly things from seeking after God!