When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,
in the days of King Herod,
behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.”
When King Herod heard this,
he was greatly troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him.
Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people,
He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea,
for thus it has been written through the prophet:
And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
since from you shall come a ruler,
who is to shepherd my people Israel.”
Then Herod called the magi secretly
and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.
He sent them to Bethlehem and said,
“Go and search diligently for the child.
When you have found him, bring me word,
that I too may go and do him homage.”
After their audience with the king they set out.
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,
until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
They were overjoyed at seeing the star,
and on entering the house
they saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
Then they opened their treasures
and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
they departed for their country by another way.

Today, Lord, You reveal Yourself to the Gentiles, represented by the magi from the East.
You chose to call people who came from very far away, guided by You, so that they might come to know You and adore You.

Today, we too feel called by You — with the awareness that disordered passions can distract us from Your call if we are not watchful.

Brought into Married Life

James: Today I dreamed of two enemies. One came straight at me, openly hostile; the other attacked me through distractions. The most dangerous were the distractions — they seem harmless, but in truth they can end up killing our faith.
Lucy: That’s exactly how it is. In the past, wars were fought openly — enemies came face to face to take what was ours. Today, they slip quietly into our homes and into our intimacy, dressed up as freedom, solidarity, and individual rights, and they end up destroying our marriage, our faith, and our homes.
James: Let us stay centred on the Lord and on our marriage, dedicating our free time to God and to our family, avoiding other distractions that only appear innocent. How long has it been since we’ve simply been together — to caress one another and speak words of love?

Mother,

May nothing separate us from the Love of God, even if, for that, we must flee to Egypt within our hearts. Adored be the Child Jesus.