Sunday Gospel Comment

 

Alberic Jacovone OSB

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YEAR B

Is 60,1-6; Eph 3,22-3.5-6; Mt 2,1-12

Gifted & Gift-giving 

Three Wise Men: Matthew’s story is well known. The Wise Men came from the "Far East" to worship the Great King: they entered the house (By now the Holy Family have left the stable & manger, mentioned in Luke’s story!) saw the child and his mother Mary, and worshipped the Lord. They then offered gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The story as a whole is symbolic and so are the three gifts offered: three gifts to honour Jesus already acknowledged as: New-born King (Gold), Incarnate God (Incense) and Suffering Redeemer (Myrrh), Today’s story gives us an opportunity to reflect on the logic behind our gift-getting-or-giving: a logic involving a ‘giftedness’ (an ability, desire, inclination even a joy to give!) and the actual ‘gift-giving’ (the actual will and execution to give, the choice of a gift to suite the occasion and the person). The three Wise Men seem to say: You -just like us!- are gifted people: ask yourself, what is your giftedness? identify it, own it; and be a ‘gift-giving’ person. When we offer someone a ‘specific present’, we mean it to be a symbol of how special that person is for us, and how we wish to express our gratitude and generosity towards that person. The logic behind gift-giving-and-receiving starts in God: he is the one who, out of his immense loving-kindness or ‘charity’ (from the Greek words ‘Charis’ which in Latin is translated as ‘Grace’!) has ‘graced’ us with a great measure of the same agreeableness or charm or inclination or favour, so that we may fittingly say ‘Thank You!’ (Greek ‘eu-charisteo) to God and to the person we present the gift to, thus being ‘eucharistic’ people: people who are ever grateful and thankful (Greek ‘eu-charistos’) for all graces & blessings received.

Being a ‘gift’ to others. The wisdom of being ‘gifted-&-gift-giving’ shines out in some people; we all get to know some. They receive special ‘charisms’ and use them to build up the Christian spirit in our Church. Indeed, we all have our own special, different God-given gifts and share them in our families, groups, or Parish, for mutual strengthening and up-building; hopefully then, we all become better ‘gifted-&- gift-giving’ people. But, woe!, if the giftedness of individuals is used to manipulate, denigrate or destroy. The Bible presents the wisdom of ‘gift-sharing’ through the language of ‘Charisms’- (the same Greek word: Charis, Charitos, Charita, Charisma... from these comes ‘Charity’). Charisms are special, unconditional, undeserved, freely-given gifts and favours, which only God bestows to whomever he wants. They are ‘Gifts-in-Grace’, come from God and remain God’s prerogatives; their purpose is to restore wholeness and harmony to life; indeed they are an anticipation of eternal life. Charisms are never meant to turn us into: powerful - arrogant - condemnatory - self righteous - discriminatory - superior - cutoff - confrontational... human beings. If any of these ugly qualities transpire, it’s not God!... Instead, Charisms are and remain special manifestations of God’s favour. Indeed Christ is at work, when extraordinary events & healings occur. Charisms find their concrete expression in acts of ‘Charity’ and in ‘Ministries’ operating in the Church. They are Gifts intended for support and service among the weak & needy. God calls each of us to: own our ‘giftedness’- spread the good will and peace of Christmas - encourage each other to do God’s will, help and heal anyone in distress - pray for, and support those who suffer - always feeling privileged to accept life’s sufferings with them: with, like & for Christ.

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