Daily Thoughts: I have always liked the short story by Henry van Dyke call The Other Wise Man. It was made into a movie staring Martin Sheen called The Fourth Wise Man. The bases of the story is that there were not three wise men, magi, from the east but four. The fourth one's name was Artaban and he was a late to the meeting point from which the magi started their journey following the star so he was always playing catch-up with the other magi. He never catches up to them and so he does not meet Jesus in Bethlehem. By the time he gets there the others are gone and so is the Holy Family.
Artaban is determined to meet the Christ so from Bethlehem he sets out on a journey to catch up, to meet the Christ. He wants to give him some rare stones, jewels, that he has brought along however Artaban is late for every opportunity to meet Jesus because he is always stopping to help someone in need. He finally ends his journey after many, many years in Jerusalem. He is old and tired and he has given all his precious stones away to help others. He is dejected because he now has nothing to give Jesus if he meets him.
Artaban finally does meet Jesus as Jesus is carrying his Cross to Calvary. Jesus tells Artaban that he is thankful for his many gifts. Artaban doesn't understand because he thinks he has no gift to give. Jesus tells Artaban thst his life has been his gift. Every time he stopped to help someone it was a gift and Jesus is very pleased with the gift, it is the best gift!
I always think of this story of the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, because I think Artaban represents all of us. At birth we all begin a journey to meet the Lord it is called life. We have many opportunities to encounter Jesus. Sometimes we miss him and sometimes we don't. Our gift is our life and how we live it. Each time we help others we add to our gift, each time we help others encounter Jesus we add to our gift, each time we live life to the best of our ability we add to our gift!
The Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord reminds us that Christ's presence and message is universal, Jesus came for all. Our challenge is to bring that message to the world for Jesus by not holding on to our gift but by giving it to whom ever we meet! Let's continue our journey to find the Christ today let's give our gift!
Daily Prayer: Loving God, grant us a faith that is willing to make the journey of life, that is willing to share our gifts from with everyone we meet. Grace us with a trust that enables to know that in sharing we are truly bringing the gift of your presence to the world so that everyone on earth my come to know your love! Amen!
We continue to pray during this Christmas Season for families in grief; for little ones whose lives were too short; for teachers, administrators and responders who put others first; for a community that must find a way to live; for all of us who seek a world of lasting peace! Amen!
Runner's Thought: Remember every run had the potential to become a quest for life's meaning in the midst of the unexciting!
Happy Little Christmas everyone! May you have a blessed day and may it be filled with many encounters of God presence in your life! Remember give the gift today that keeps on giving your life which has many gifts! Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
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