The Persecuted Church
The Child and the King
"Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage." ~Mt 2:2
The Gospel for Epiphany tells of the visit of the magi, who follow a star to find the newborn king of the Jews. These men stop in Jerusalem seeking direction from King Herod and his scribes and high priests. Herod is “greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him,” at the news of the birth of the prophesied king of the Jews. But Herod’s reaction is not one of joy and amazement to realize that the ancient prophecies of his people are being fulfilled in his time. Instead, he immediately begins scheming to find and destroy this child who he sees as a threat to his power.
It is said that the whole city is troubled at this news. Does the city represent worldly power and its opposition to the radical message of Christianity? The citizens, even the chief priests and the scribes, are perhaps too comfortable in their roles as leaders to be open to the message of the prophets, that one day, a little child will lead them. Do they somehow sense that such a King will ultimately ask them to discard earthly honor, power, and wealth? They cling to the power structures that they are familiar with, unable or unwilling to recognize God’s will in the events that are about to unfold.
The magi, “having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,” protect the little king they have come to worship, and “depart for their country by another way.” Joseph will also heed the voice of God whispered in the night, fleeing to safety with Mary and Jesus. Sadly, Herod’s rage will soon be vented by the murder of the holy innocents.
In cities and nations of the world today, Herod’s attack on the child - God’s own image - is starkly played out in the battle between pro-life and pro-abortion forces. Our challenge is to listen to the small, still voice of God in the night: rise up, protect the child! Let us say “yes” to life as Mary did, and protect the lives of the innocent as Joseph and the wise men did, even if it means facing the wrath of “kings” who are set on their destruction.
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About the Author
Born and raised in a faithful Catholic family, I wandered far from my faith for nearly two decades. Through the infinite mercy of Christ and His Church, I found my way back home to the Catholic Church in the early 90s, and began a path of rediscovery of the beauty and truth of the Catholic faith, eventually earning a Bachelor's degree in Christian Tradition. A stay-at-home Mom for many years, my Church ministries grew to include teaching Catechism and First Eucharist classes, writing and facilitating retreats for healing after abortion, and becoming active in pro-life work with our local 40 Days for Life campaign in the Tri-Cities, Washington as an organizer, participant, speaker, and writer. My desire to share the greatest gift of my life, Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and His Divine Mercy, has found expression in my writing. My articles have been published locally in the Tri-City Herald's Spiritual Life and editorial columns; in the Carmelite Digest; Celebrate Life magazine; and recently in the National Catholic Register.
Links to these articles and more can be found on my blog at http://www.catholicethics.blogspot.com/. My Catholic Ethics page is on Facebook at:https://www.facebook.com/CatholicEthics.
