Let's talk about today's readings 1/4/09

[cheeto1]

Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalms 72:1-2,7-8,10-13
Ephesians 3:2-3.5-6
Matthew 2:1-12

In today’s gospel, when the wise men left Herod, the star appeared and went forward, leading them to Jesus. They
seemed surprised to see the star, and I was wondering if
the reason they stopped at Herod’s is because the star
stopped or disappeared there. Was it really so important
that they stop at Herod’s? Was it all part of the plan? If
they never stopped there, perhaps the innocent children
would not have been killed. How could this hideous action
be part of God’s plan? Then it says the wise men returned
to their own country by another way. Country - not plural,
one country. What country was it? The bible does not say.

In Isaiah’s prophecy, it says that everyone in Sheba will come, bringing gold and incense. I guess maybe they weren’t talking
about Jesus after all, since I don’t think everyone from Sheba
came.

In the psalm, we are told that all nations shall serve Him,
and all kings shall fall prostate. I like to think it’s talking
about Jesus, but it hasn’t happened yet, and when Jesus
comes again, won’t it be the end of the nations?

Today is the day of St. Elisabeth Ann Seton, who invented the
parochial school system in America. Her readings include
Corinthians 13 and the story of Martha and Mary. In that story,
Jesus tells Martha that only one thing is needed, only one.

What struck you about today’s readings?:bible1:

 

[Texas_Roofer]

FYI usccb.org/nab/readings/090104.shtml

I think you may be looking to literal at the readings. How many pilgrimages to the Holy Land have occurred, how many have sent money to the church, how many world leaders claim to support a Christian life style?

Concerning Herod, had the Magi snuck in what would happen? My guess is angels would have intervened to have Jesus leave then Herod would react the same, maybe even killed more in an attempt to kill all children who could be hiding in disguise.

 

[cheeto1]

This is a very helpful link, thank you!

I get your optimistic point, really. Perhaps I am seeing the
glass half empty, but, when I see “All”, I expect “All”. And not
just individual people, but nations. It seems to be promised, yet there doesn’t seem a way for it to happen.

How would Herod react the same since he didn’t even know
about the newborn king until the Magi told them? Are you
saying he would find out much later somehow, and then instead
of killing all 2 and under, it would be age 5 or 10?

 

[Texas_Roofer]

…
How would Herod react the same since he didn’t even know
about the newborn king until the Magi told them? Are you
saying he would find out much later somehow, and then instead
of killing all 2 and under, it would be age 5 or 10?

Had the Magi not informed Herod and delivered the valuable gifts to the new King word would spread quickly. Herod would then know of the gifts (we do not know if Herod ever knew of the gifts), and the visit. Unable to find the gifts or Jesus, Herod may have killed more than those in Bethlehem because he would know the child was hidden or disguised, so he may have killed all infants known.

 

[cheeto1]

Herod may have killed more than those in Bethlehem.

good point… I guess things could always be worse.

 

[Light_Seeker]

Read something not long ago by one of the Church Doctors saying his belief is that the star of Bethlehem disappeared to the magi once they got close. So they stopped at Herod’s asking where the king might be.

I don’t know if I can believe this. Ever see a lost guy ask for directions

If so, Lord works in mysterious ways. Forcing the magi to bring it to Herod’s attention, causing the slaughter. But perhaps, as posted, it could have been worse if they snuck in.

Also read that the slaughter of the innocents may have been 10 or 20 children at most in Bethlehem. Historians never recorded it in Herod’s rule, but they did record other terrible things he did - by contrast & by numbers, this might have been a no-news thing in comparison, in a little back-water village nobody was paying much attention to.