Following Signs: A Journey to Divine Union

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we delve into the profound significance of the Epiphany, a celebration of the Magi's journey to honor the newborn King with their gifts. This event is not merely about the signs that led the Magi but about the deeper invitation these signs represent. Signs from God are not meant to keep Him at a distance, serving merely as comforting reminders of His presence. Instead, they are calls to action, urging us to pursue a deeper relationship with Him. The Magi, despite their initial darkness and lack of understanding of a monotheistic God, recognized the sign of the star and chose to follow it, leading them to Jesus. This journey symbolizes our own spiritual journey, where we are invited to move beyond mere recognition of God's signs to a transformative encounter with Him.

The Magi's story challenges us to examine our response to God's signs. Are we like Herod, threatened by the implications of these signs, or like the Magi, willing to lay down our treasures and follow where they lead? The signs are not the end but a means to an end, guiding us to communion with God. Jesus did not come to give us signs alone but to offer us union with Him, a relationship that goes beyond superficial acknowledgment to a profound unity. This unity is made possible through the Eucharist, where Christ humbles Himself to become one with us.

Our spiritual journey requires surrender, a willingness to let go of our fears and misconceptions about God. We must allow Jesus to reveal Himself as He truly is, not as we perceive Him to be. This surrender is challenging, especially in a culture that values independence, but it is essential for experiencing the peace and fulfillment that only God can provide. By embracing the signs and following them to their source, we open ourselves to the transformative love of God, who seeks to dwell within us and work through us.

Key Takeaways:

1. Signs as Invitations: Signs from God are not just comforting reminders of His presence but invitations to pursue a deeper relationship with Him. They are meant to lead us to a transformative encounter with God, not to keep Him at a distance. [18:37]

2. The Magi's Journey: The Magi's journey from darkness to light symbolizes our own spiritual journey. Despite their initial lack of understanding, they followed the sign of the star, leading them to Jesus. This journey challenges us to move beyond mere recognition of God's signs to a transformative encounter with Him. [20:01]

3. Response to Signs: Our response to God's signs can either be like Herod, who was threatened, or like the Magi, who laid down their treasures and followed where the signs led. The signs are not the end but a means to an end, guiding us to communion with God. [21:56]

4. Union with God: Jesus did not come to give us signs alone but to offer us union with Him. This relationship goes beyond superficial acknowledgment to a profound unity, made possible through the Eucharist, where Christ humbles Himself to become one with us. [24:53]

5. Surrender and Trust: Our spiritual journey requires surrender, a willingness to let go of our fears and misconceptions about God. By embracing the signs and following them to their source, we open ourselves to the transformative love of God, who seeks to dwell within us and work through us. [30:57]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[18:37] - The Epiphany and Signs
[20:01] - The Magi's Journey
[20:45] - Encounter with Herod
[21:56] - Choice of Response
[23:03] - The Magi's Offering
[23:53] - Finding God
[24:53] - Union with God
[26:21] - Renouncing the Lie
[27:37] - Threatened by Jesus
[28:20] - Hesitation and Fear
[29:19] - Hardened Hearts
[30:08] - True Epiphany
[30:57] - Surrender and Trust
[32:00] - Prayer and Petition
[38:41] - Eucharistic Celebration
[59:27] - Blessing and Conclusion

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 2:1-12 - The Visit of the Magi
2. John 10:14 - "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me."
3. John 6:56 - "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them."

#### Observation Questions
1. What gifts did the Magi bring to Jesus, and what might these gifts symbolize in the context of the sermon? [18:37]
2. How did the Magi's understanding of God differ from the Jewish people's understanding, and what led them to seek Jesus? [20:01]
3. What was Herod's reaction to the news of Jesus' birth, and how does this contrast with the Magi's response? [21:56]
4. How does the sermon describe the purpose of signs from God, and what is their ultimate goal? [23:53]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. In what ways does the journey of the Magi reflect a spiritual journey from darkness to light, and how does this relate to the concept of recognizing and following God's signs? [20:01]
2. How does the sermon suggest that Jesus' coming challenges our preconceived notions of God, and what does it mean to truly encounter Him? [24:53]
3. What does the sermon imply about the nature of surrender in our spiritual lives, and why is it considered essential for union with God? [30:57]
4. How does the Eucharist serve as a means of achieving unity with God, according to the sermon? [24:53]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you received a sign from God. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now to pursue a deeper relationship with Him? [23:03]
2. Consider the areas in your life where you might feel threatened by Jesus' call to surrender. What steps can you take to overcome these fears and misconceptions? [29:19]
3. How can you actively seek a transformative encounter with God in your daily life, moving beyond mere recognition of His presence? [23:53]
4. In what ways can you lay down your "treasures" before God, as the Magi did, to show your willingness to follow Him? [23:03]
5. How can you incorporate the practice of receiving the Eucharist into your spiritual journey to foster a deeper union with Christ? [24:53]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to surrender control to God. What practical steps can you take this week to begin this process? [30:57]
7. How can you cultivate a mindset of trust and openness to God's transformative love, especially in a culture that values independence? [30:57]

Devotional

Day 1: Signs as Invitations to Deeper Relationship
Signs from God are not just comforting reminders of His presence but invitations to pursue a deeper relationship with Him. They are meant to lead us to a transformative encounter with God, not to keep Him at a distance. The Magi's journey to find Jesus, guided by the star, exemplifies this invitation. They did not merely acknowledge the sign but acted upon it, embarking on a journey that would change their lives. This journey is a metaphor for our own spiritual path, where we are called to move beyond mere recognition of God's signs to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Him. [18:37]

"Thus says the Lord: 'Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.' But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'" (Jeremiah 6:16, ESV)

Reflection: What signs has God placed in your life recently? How can you actively respond to these signs to deepen your relationship with Him today?


Day 2: The Magi's Journey from Darkness to Light
The Magi's journey from darkness to light symbolizes our own spiritual journey. Despite their initial lack of understanding, they followed the sign of the star, leading them to Jesus. This journey challenges us to move beyond mere recognition of God's signs to a transformative encounter with Him. The Magi's willingness to follow the star, despite their unfamiliarity with the monotheistic God, demonstrates the courage and faith required to embark on a spiritual journey. Their story encourages us to seek the light of Christ, even when we are surrounded by darkness or uncertainty. [20:01]

"For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." (Ephesians 5:8, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel you are still in darkness? How can you take a step towards the light of Christ today?


Day 3: Choosing Our Response to God's Signs
Our response to God's signs can either be like Herod, who was threatened, or like the Magi, who laid down their treasures and followed where the signs led. The signs are not the end but a means to an end, guiding us to communion with God. Herod's fear and insecurity led him to reject the sign, while the Magi's openness and humility allowed them to embrace it. This choice reflects the daily decisions we face in our spiritual lives: to resist or to embrace the path God sets before us. [21:56]

"See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it." (Deuteronomy 30:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision where you felt God was guiding you. Did you respond like Herod or the Magi? How can you choose to follow God's guidance more faithfully in the future?


Day 4: Union with God Through the Eucharist
Jesus did not come to give us signs alone but to offer us union with Him. This relationship goes beyond superficial acknowledgment to a profound unity, made possible through the Eucharist, where Christ humbles Himself to become one with us. The Eucharist is a tangible expression of God's desire for intimacy with us, inviting us to partake in His divine life. This union is not just a ritual but a transformative encounter that deepens our relationship with God and empowers us to live out our faith in the world. [24:53]

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." (John 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: How does participating in the Eucharist deepen your relationship with God? What steps can you take to prepare your heart for this sacred encounter?


Day 5: Surrender and Trust in God's Transformative Love
Our spiritual journey requires surrender, a willingness to let go of our fears and misconceptions about God. By embracing the signs and following them to their source, we open ourselves to the transformative love of God, who seeks to dwell within us and work through us. This surrender is challenging, especially in a culture that values independence, but it is essential for experiencing the peace and fulfillment that only God can provide. Trusting in God's love allows us to let go of control and embrace the journey He has set before us. [30:57]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Quotes


Because if it was up to most of us, I think the reason we like signs from God is we can keep him at arm's length, and we can know that he's there like a comforting presence. God's there. That's nice. God gave me a sign. Wonderful. That was really good. [00:19:07] (21 seconds)


But Jesus Christ did not come into our humanity. He did not come to die on the cross to suffer so that you could just get a bunch of signs through your life. Amen? Now if that's how you've lived your life, that's okay. It's good. And it's good for us in the greenness of our faith, the beginning of our faith, if that is how we communicate or think we communicate with God. [00:19:47] (27 seconds)


But the reality is that Jesus Christ has come to usurp, that is, we've talked about this, that is to overthrow the kingdom of darkness in our life. And so the magi are coming from a distant land, which means what? That they are not the Jewish people. So the Jewish people believed they were the chosen people. [00:20:13] (25 seconds)


And they said, we want to pursue this sign, this star, and follow it to its conclusion. And so upon arrival, they meet Herod in Jerusalem. And they're like, this is the kingdom. This must be where the new king is born. And you know, like, if you're watching, like, a cartoon or, like, an action movie of this, like, you would see Herod's, like, face go red. [00:20:52] (25 seconds)


Because when he, like, he's a good guy, when he hears of the sign, and this is where you and I have a choice, when we see the sign, and if we choose to pursue it, we are faced with the choice to either be like the magi and pursue it to its conclusion and to lay what I have down before it, or I can be threatened by it. [00:21:24] (29 seconds)


When you receive a sign from God, it is not an invitation to simply think, God is here, I'm okay, we're gonna be okay. But rather, it's an invitation to pursue the sign, because in the sign, where does the sign come from? The one who has greater gift for you. Let me put it a different way. [00:23:31] (26 seconds)


He did not come, the Jewish people, had a God who spoke to them from afar. Same God. But he says, I want more than that. I want to be united to you. So much so, I will humble myself even more than becoming human. I will humble myself so that every time a priest says the words of consecration, I enter the thing that looks like bread. [00:25:11] (24 seconds)


And it is no longer bread, it is my body. So that as you receive me, you are in communion with me. So what's our response? How do we respond to this act of love by God? Well, one, we can say, all right, I'm gonna just keep God at an arm's length. There was a nice sign, I hope I live my life by signs. [00:25:42] (26 seconds)


It's not because, you can make up all these things, all the lies and excuses you want. But the reality is like, why do we think these things are okay? It's because I feel threatened by Jesus. Like Jesus is trying to take something away from me. Like if I give myself completely to the gift of marriage, what's gonna happen? [00:28:48] (21 seconds)


And so we come to church and we're like, I don't know why I don't experience God. It's because I feel threatened by him. And so I have hardened my heart against him. And so I don't actually experience union with him because my heart has been hardened. Unforgiveness. Why don't I wanna forgive somebody? Because I feel threatened by Jesus. [00:29:31] (23 seconds)


And so I have to be willing to surrender. I have to ask Jesus, Lord, help me. Help me surrender, like the Magi did, the possibility that there's something greater. And then I have to give him permission. It's the most difficult thing in our spiritual life is to surrender. I know, Father and I talk about it all the time. [00:31:14] (19 seconds)


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Transcript
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