King of Our Hearts

On the cover of the daily Missal at the back of the church is a painting of the Nativity scene. It got me to thinking about those three wise men.

Presumably they were men of accomplishment, wise men, comfortable in their own land. In their country of Persia they were safer than anywhere else. They were more protected from their enemies. What were they thinking when they set out from their homeland? What possible motivation could they have to leave for foreign and possibly hostile lands? After all, they were carrying things of value, gold, frankincense and myrrh. Such possessions were sure to attract the unwanted attention of road thieves and vagabonds. Why subject themselves to such obvious dangers?

They were gentiles and learned as well for they quoted Hebrew Scripture. Being wise they were not lacking in the virtue of prudence. They saw a star. We can appreciate their sensitivity to unusual natural events. We of this modern age have to a large extent removed the dangers inherent in the forces of nature. This has, perhaps, resulted in a lack of awe for all but the most grandiose and catastrophic in nature. But, a brighter than normal, twinkling little star? How often do we city dwellers even bother to look at the stars? How many of us would pack our bags and leave home for a foreign land because we saw a brighter than normal, twinkling little star in the East? There must have been more that moved these wise men.

There must have been a tremendous longing in their hearts. The acquisition of wisdom had led them to believe that there was something missing in their lives. They left their land so they could go and worship a new king who had been born. They had their own king right at home. Somehow, though, they knew it was not an earthy king they sought. These wise men were not just in awe of the natural, but in awe of the supernatural as well. The longing for a supernatural king is what inspired them; the search for a king of the heart.

Can we find the same courage? Can we leave the safety and comfort of the familiar? Can we look past what we can touch and see the intangible? Can we apprehend what is needed to fill that tabernacle in our soul? If we are at all able to do that, the time is now. The Savior is coming; the King of our heart is near.