Sunday Sermon - "Gold For Others"

Illustration:
 “Gold for Others”. Everywhere you look these days there are adverts in Newspapers, on the TV that say: “We Buy Gold,” and you wonder, do these people who are buying everyone’s gold know something that I don’t know?  What are they going to do with all this gold? For centuries, the church of Jesus Christ has been the receiver dispenser of untold amounts of gold, and while not all of it has been dealt with in ways that would honor Jesus Christ, some of it has.

Reflection on Matthew 2:1-12: “Others”


1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi  from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Think of the missions that have been launched with the “Gold for Others”, the poor who’ve been fed with the “Gold for Others”, the medicine that’s been dispensed with the “Gold for Others”, the hospitals and orphanages that have been established, schools that have been founded, with the “Gold for Others” and churches that have been built in almost every corner of the world because people brought their gold to the feet of Jesus Christ for the benefit of “Others”

Right in the middle of what has been so far a narrative written by a Jew (Matthew), about a saviour (Jesus) who was of Jewish birth, a story of particular interest to Jews, “wise men from the East” enter the picture as an clear indication that this saviour (The Real Gold) is not just for “us,” but also, for others. 

1. They are led miraculously by a star in the heavens, 

2. They find the Christ child

3. They worship him

4. They offer him gifts, which actually are used to provide for the saviour and his family, and beyond. Bringing transformation, to the Holy Family and their community and the world beyond.

This is a reminder that God may be leading people “Others” to our churches and communities who are not from among us, and whom we must help in their search for God. 

1. What are the “stars” that may be leading “other” people into life and ministry? 

2. How do you think can we join God in His efforts to reach out and bring others near to Christ.

Conclusion: May we too, have hearts of worship towards Christ in the remainder of this year and may our offering also be of benefit to the “Others”