After visiting Jesus, the magi “departed for their country by another way.”
It is no coincidence that at the time Matthew wrote these words in his gospel story, those who chose to be disciples of Jesus were called “followers of the way.” They weren’t yet called Christians; they had no list of dogmas and doctrines to which they were obligated to adhere. They had simply and wholeheartedly committed themselves to be followers the Jesus’ way of living.
So, Matthew is saying that once a person meets Jesus, that person will be inspired to live another way—to live not as the world lives, seeking after self, comfort, prestige, position and power but to live the Jesus’ way—seeking to give one’s life away in love for the good of all.
As we put away our Christmas decorations and settle into Ordinary Time, we remember that this is the time for putting into practice what we have celebrated through the Christmas Season: Jesus is the Way and we simply and wholeheartedly commit ourselves to live his way in the ordinary, day to day experience of life.
I like who John Wesley summed up his religious practice:
What religion do I preach? The religion of love—the law of kindness brought to light by the gospel. What is this good for? To make all who receive it enjoy God and themselves, and to make them, like God, lovers of all.
That sums it up perfectly! Yes, we are to “enjoy God”! When is the last time you heard “religion” inviting you to “enjoy God”?! Yet, the truth is, we just celebrated the Season which reminds us that God took on flesh because God love us so much He wanted to reveal Himself to us so that we would know God is Love, the One who loves each of us and all of creation with a passionate, intimate love and who is always with us, never abandoning us. God delights in us and wants us to delight in him and his love.
And if God delights in us—not just when we’re doing everything “right” but always, so then why not enjoy ourselves and our very lives, as messy as they can become. (Remember, after all, the stinky smelly messy barn where God was born in the flesh!)
And, of course, it follows that we can then enjoy every other person, no matter where he or she is on their journey, because God delights in them and loves them.
This reminds me of my hero Teilhard de Chardin. He spoke of the need to reimagine religion as a “gout de vivre.” This means “zest for life” and referred to the inherent human drive to experience life fully, embracing its complexity and diversity and participating in the ongoing evolution of the universe towards greater awareness and unity. In other words, religion is about delight! It is not a dry or rigid system of dogmas but rather the very fuel that animates life with purpose, passion, and vitality. It draws us in to a greater delight of all that exists and a deeper desire to participate in existence’s movement forward in Love.
So, as we begin 2025 and begin Ordinary Time, we have this opportunity to ask ourselves:
- Am I in touch with my inherent human drive to experience life fully?
- Am I aware of and open to the great complexity and diversity of the human family?
- In what way am I drawn to contribute to the ongoing evolution of the human family and the entire universe?
If “contributing to the ongoing evolution of the universe” sounds too “heady,” think of it this way:
- In what way can I make Jesus’ way of living and loving more real, more concrete in my daily life?
- How can I direct the drive, the energy, the love I have in me towards increasing love and unity and peace and mutual delight in my home, at work, at my parish, wherever I go?
To be committed to such questions is to be caught up in the zest for life. To answer those questions and put those answers into practice is to be true followers of the Jesus way.
Blessed and peace-filled and thriving 2025 for all!
Father Liam