DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS FOR JANUARY 2010

+Let us contemplate this month the Epiphany and our Saviour’s Sacred Humanity+

“Lord Babe, if Thou art He we sought for patiently, Where is Thy Court?
Hither may prophecy and star resort; men heed not their report.”     
*Bow down and worship, righteous man: this Infant of a span
Is He man sought for since the world began!*
“Then, Lord, accept my gold, too base a thing for Thee, of all kings King.”

“Lord Babe, despite Thy youth, I hold Thee of a truth both Good and Great:
But wherefore dost Thou keep so mean a state, low-lying desolate?”
*Bow down and worship, righteous seer: the Lord our God is here
Approachable, Who bids us all draw near.*
“Wherefore to Thee I offer frankincense, Thou sole Omnipotence.”

“But I have only brought myrrh; no wise afterthought instructed me
To gather pearls or gems, or choice to see coral or ivory.”
*Not least thine offering proves thee wise: for myrrh means sacrifice,
And He that lives, this Same is He that dies.*
“Then here is myrrh: alas, yea woe is me that myrrh befitteth Thee.”

Myrrh, frankincense and gold: and, lo, from wintry fold Good-will doth bring
A Lamb, the innocent likeness of this King Whom stars and seraphs sing:
And, lo, the bird of love, a Dove, flutters and coos above:
And Dove and Lamb and Babe agree in love.
Come all mankind, come all creation hither. Come, worship Christ together.
(Christina Georgina Rossetti, written circa 1885)
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Bishop Anthony writes: The three kings come in awe, yet come with questions. So fitting that kings should be drawn to the King of kings! This beautiful poem is in itself a treatise on the Epiphany: the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, that is, to the whole human race. Please read it prayerfully. Kaspar, Melchior and Balthasar ask why our Saviour has no royal Court and lies seeming desolate. Perhaps it is the Archangel Gabriel who, in the middle of the first three stanzas, answers their questions, or perhaps Christina intends it to be God Himself. Myrrh is sacrifice: this precious life will lead to death as Christmass leads to Calvary. He came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly in heaven, if only we remain faithful to Him throughout this earthly life! The sacred humanity of our Lord teaches us to welcome the stranger, the outcast and the beggar. Traditional Catholics, at Epiphany, write with chalk on the lintels of their churches and houses: +K+M+B, followed by the year. This is in memory of the pilgrimage of the three kings to GOD Whom they found in poverty in a cold cave or stable.
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Let us pray: Praise and glory to Thee, O Christ, Who didst draw the Magi unto Thyself by the leading of a star; send forth from heaven the light of Thy grace, that it may lead us safely through the dangerous ways of this present world to Thine eternal home, where we shall see Thee, not as a lowly infant on Thy holy Mother’s knee, but crowned with immortal glory and power. For ever and ever. +Amen+
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And a Passing Thought
Entrust the past to God’s mercy, the present to His love, and the future to His Providence.
(Saint John of Damascus)
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IN THY SACRED HUMANITY AND IN THY GODHEAD, WE ADORE THEE O JESUS!
KASPAR, MELCHIOR AND BALTHASAR, PRAY FOR US WHO ARE ALSO PILGRIMS!
AND THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US!
+K+M+B 2010