When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the new-born king of the Jews? We saw his star at his rising and have come to do him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea … Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage. After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.  

"It’s down to this, I’ve got to make this life make sense. Can anyone tell me what I’ve done. I missed the life, I missed the colors of the world. Can anyone tell me where I am? 'Cause now I’ve found myself so far down, away from the sun that shines into the darkest place. I’m over this, I’m tired of living in the dark." 

In Matthew’s story of the kings from the east, the Magi had their minds set on finding a king and through obstacles, disappointments, discouragement and depression, they did not lose sight of that goal. It is as if their lives would not have made sense unless they found this king, and so, they kept at it. In the end, they achieved their goal.

The person in 3 Doors Down's song "Away From The Sun" has a similar goal: he/she has to find someone or something to make life make sense. The person in the song realizes that things have to get better, and at least he/she is ready to begin. One does not know whether the goal is accomplished or not, but the first part of making life make sense is to set our minds on the goal. "I’m over this"—that is, the goal is set.

Setting the goal to find something to make sense out of life is a very important objective for a mature person. And for the Christian, as it was for the Magi of Matthew’s story, setting our minds to find Jesus is the most important goal that we have. That is what faith is all about. If we are convinced that even with the obstacles and disappointments in life, we must keep our minds set on following what Jesus said, then eventually, we will make sense out of life.

THOUGHT
 
PRAYER

Good and gracious God, we want a life that makes sense. As we make that our goal, may we come to understand more and more that if we accept your Son totally, we will make our lives make sense. Be with us, we pray.  

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©2007 Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America