Lectio and Visio Divina: Matthew 2:1-12

1st Reading: Worshippers, Pursuit, Discernment
    There are two types of worshippers: True and False worshippers. The wise men are true and King Herod is false. The wise men pursued the star. Travelling today is way more convenient than their time. The wise men had to deal with desert and coldness at night. They had to prepare their food manually. Unlike today I can drive going to Vancouver and check in to motels if I want to. After worshipping the King of the Jews the wise men started to go back. They have been warned not to go on the same route. They had been given protection through discernment. Once we follow Jesus, we don't go back to our old ways, and we will be guided and receive wisdom in our lives.

2nd Reading: Herod
    "Where" and "When" are the questions King Herod asked upon hearing the news that someone might take his throne. He found out that it was in his geographic location he continued to ask the follow-up question to prepare for the inevitability of the end of his reign. Initially, he just called the chief priests and experts of the law. Then, later on, he included and summoned the wise men. He attempted to use all his powers to prevent the fulfillment of the scriptures. He is adamant about stopping the prophecies up to the point of killing people.
1st Seeing: Moving Star
    A year ago, I decided to stay in Toronto right after my studies. I started to prepare my life there. But God intervened and broke down my game plan. We can't limit God to his own purposes for us. He moves in mysterious ways. Sometimes unexpected and simultaneous. He is a moving Star. "We make room for the Spirit, we make room for him to move... " I'm glad I fully surrendered life to him at that crossroad in my life. I'm close to falling into the temptation to stay there and miss out on God's promises for me and my life here. The relationships forged in time are bound by spirituality, not distance. But I have to leave my comfort zone and fully trust God's move.

2nd Seeing: Consistency in Worship
    Da Vinci's unfinished painting depicts how people respond to worship. Some look at Jesus, some bow down, some hold his hand, and some ignore him. It can also be interpreted as different expressions or styles of worship. The one bowing down caught my attention which reminded me of my proper posture in worshipping God every day. Then I came across the one ignoring Jesus, and I said to myself, "I'm not like that guy." Suddenly, I had to evaluate myself and ask, "Am I consistently worshiping God with sincerity? Sometimes I bow down, sometimes I look"

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