Divine Mercy And The Three Kings

Jan 3, 2014

At morning Mass, I wanted to take notes on Father’s homily but my notebook was not in my purse. Then I remembered I left it in the car. As I walked out of the church and headed to my car after Mass, the sun beckoned me. I looked up. The sun was so bright and pure white. This bright white sun, like a giant Eucharistic Host in the sky, was surrounded by Divine Mercy colors. I thought, “Ahh, the sun is a sign of God’s glory!” and thought about Father’s homily. Are we looking for signs? The three Kings or Magi were given the Star of Bethlehem for a sign. Holy Scripture warns us that the wicked look for signs (Matthew 16:4). Father doesn’t believe we’re necessarily wicked if we look for signs, after all God does give us signs. It’s okay to look for signs unless we do it for selfish reasons. Do we refuse to believe unless we have a sign?

I pondered all of this in the church parking lot while sitting in the car. I believe we receive signs every day, but do we recognize them? Should we be cautious about what we believe to be signs from God or in seeking signs are we opening ourselves up to God? Isn’t accepting signs from God proof of our trust and belief in Him? Is it a good thing to accept the signs God gives us? I’m still confused. When we invite God into our life, we receive wonders beyond belief. I know this to be true!

Signs and Wonders Beyond Belief!

Ever since we started our Divine Mercy Ministry in church on Friday at 3pm, someone has always shown up, but I was wondering about this cold January day. Would anyone else come today? Then Mary walked in the side door, busy Mary who relinquished caring for the votive candles to me because she’s so busy. I was happy to see her. She sat next to me. I thanked her for coming out in the cold. She told me she was already out and listed the things she had to do today, many good things, many works of mercy. I’m amazed at all she does.

I asked if she noticed the Three Kings had moved forward a little from where they were this weekend. She had.

Again I remembered this morning’s homily. This is what I decided to tell Mary and what I would have told the others. This morning at Mass Father told us that the Magi were given a sign. It was a star. Of course the star, we know but…and I continued trying to remember Father’s exact words. “Are we looking for signs? Is it okay to want a sign? It might be okay if we do it unselfishly. The Magi had the star as a sign of Jesus’ birth.”

I thought out loud. What signs does God give us?

I pointed to the Divine Mercy picture of Jesus and said, “Father’s homily goes well with Divine Mercy. See the image of Jesus with the words “Jesus, I trust in You?” Jesus wants us to trust in Him.” I asked Mary, “Do you need a sign to believe?” She smiled and shook her head as she said “no." Mary is always smiling. She had of course heard this same sermon at Mass this morning. Mary was being very patient with me.

It looked like no one else was coming so the two of us said the Divine Mercy Chaplet together.

God gives us signs and wonders beyond belief! God gives us the Holy Spirit to help us discern what is a sign of from God and what is not. Then it came to mind what St. Paul said to the Philippians “…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Therefore, if we believe we received a sign from God but it does not fit the attributes St. Paul listed in his letter to the Philippians, then it can’t possibly be a sign from God.

Mary is a sign of dedication and faithfulness. I’m grateful for the faithfulness of Mary!