You Were Meant to Soar

A Reflection the Gospel for Sunday, January 8th, 2023: The Feast of Epiphany

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Matthew
2.1-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”

When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the Prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”

When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.

On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

I am currently pregnant and expecting a baby in March. My husband and I have recently participated in baptismal preparation ahead of our little one coming. This process of preparation of and reflection on the meaning and weight of what baptism promises has been such a gift in my pregnancy when praying for our child. My husband and I were also asked to be Godparents to our friend’s beautiful newborn daughter. The weight of this responsibility has not been taken lightly in my heart. This Gospel passage serves as a reminder of the supernatural grace that we get to participate in on the day of our baptism. 

I heard a priest once say during a sermon in reference to baptism that, “You are not meant to be a chicken; you are meant to be an eagle.” We might be tempted to act like what the outside world tells us is acceptable and live a life that keeps God at a distance (i.e., chickens) – however, that’s not what we were meant to be. Or better yet, WHO we were meant to be. 

This gift that’s given to us at our own baptism reminds us of our true identity as sons and daughters of Christ and reminds us of who we are. It is also a reminder of whose child we are. When we are baptized, we are blessed and marked as beloved children of God. This serves as such a great comfort in the transition to becoming a new parent. It is our goal in this life for our child to reach heaven, and through baptism, we give them the necessary first step to salvation. There are many trials and challenges that will impact a person’s life from the moment of their baptism until the day of their death, but in that interim, we should strive to honour the gift that was given to us on that day. The gift of new life in Jesus Christ – and the grace to soar like an eagle. 




Theresa Langley

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