Devotional Thoughts for the first Sunday after Yeldo - 30th Dec 2012
Reading: From the Gospel according to St. Matthew 2: 9-15, 19-23.
Dear and Respected Brethren,
By the Grace of God we all could celebrate the blessed Christmas this year also and we have reached the first Sunday after Yeldo- the blessed day of incarnation of the savior and redeemer of entire mankind. It is hoped that all of us could witness the incarnated Jesus, our savior and redeemer, as the shepherds and wise men did at the manger. Let us continuously kneel down before His presence every day and beseech His blessings and compassion.
In verse 9 we find the wise men moving ahead, looking forward to meet and to worship the new born king of Israel. In verse 10 we read, “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy”. Almost all of us also fall victims of similar experiences like this on our spiritual voyage. As far as the wise men were concerned the star was their guide. When they saw the guide, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. Let us realize the fact that though they rejoiced before meeting whom they wanted to worship, they did not put an end to their mission. In our spiritual lives also there must be so many guides or so, but we should not put an end for our main goal and we should not be distracted from our search for our Lord God. As a matter of fact, the wise men though they rejoiced in the sight of the star, had continued their search and look out for the new born. “When they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him and when they had opened their treasures they presented them unto him gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh.” (Verse-11) The wise men fell down and worshipped. This is the eastern system of worship. Orthodox Church Fathers insist us to prostrate during our worships. The prostration enables a faithful to submit him or her entirely to the disposal of our Lord God. It is a sort of perfect dedication and submission. Unfortunately the system of prostration is limited to the days of the Passion Week. We are supposed to prostrate on all days except the few days/occasions restricted by the Holy Church. We will have to inculcate for the re-establishment of this great tradition during prayers/worships.
In verse 12 we read, "And being warned of God, in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. In our daily lives, Holy Spirit in us might be advising us to opt ‘another way’. But in most cases we do not recognize the advice and fall victims of Satan. The humbleness, faith and fear enabled the wise men to opt the “another way.” Let us try to find out the areas where we fail to listen the voice of God and to obey them.
When the wise men had gone to their own country, Angel of God appeared to St. Joseph and advised him to flee to Egypt with the new born and the mother. We could imagine the difficulties and obstacles for a journey through the hills and deserts on foot, where looting and attacks was a regular practice. As St. Joseph was a noble and just man, obedient to God and His commands, God gave the strength to St. Joseph to find success in His mission. When we read the 14thVerse (When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt.) we might not think much of the consequences faced by them. In this most advanced age, journey in most modern cars/buses take 14 hours. Once when one might travel from Holy Land to Egypt by bus or car, we realize the seriousness. How much St. Joseph might have suffered? There lies the greatness of St. Joseph. He was so sincere and honest in taking care of the new born child and his young mother. He was determined to protect the baby Jesus and His mother. St. Joseph did justice to his conviction.
God Almighty has called us separately and has entrusted the task to take care of the traditional faith. How many of us are serious to this call, selection and appointment? Let us accept St. Joseph as our role model in taking care of the faith entrusted to us by our forefathers. Let us protect our faith and traditions. The Holy Church is the body of our Lord Jesus. And if we do care and protect the Holy Church, we would be protecting the body of our Lord and God. St. Joseph ignored his personal facilities, luxuries and gains. How many of us would be willing to suffer anything for the Holy Church and teachings of our Lord God? Let us think collectively to find out a few volunteers at least who might sacrifice their selves just like St. Joseph.
May God bless us and guide us.
JoseKurian Puliyeril
Kottayam.