Summary
Highlights
The Magi returned home 'by another way,' signifying that an encounter with God should lead to transformation. We cannot expect to remain unchanged after approaching the true and living God, the source of grace. Our response to God's proximity must lead to intimacy and change.
Father Mike shares a childhood memory of wanting to visit Paul Bunyan Amusement Park, which was close to his home but rarely visited. This illustrates the idea that proximity does not always lead to intimacy, highlighting how easily we can neglect things that are close to us, including our faith.
The Christmas season celebrates God drawing near to humanity, becoming a human being, and taking up residence among us. God is uniquely present in the Eucharist in Catholic churches, offering an immediate and accessible encounter, yet often taken for granted.
Father Mike reflects on the irony of pilgrims traveling vast distances to visit sites that are everyday parishes for locals. He notes how some perceive distant pilgrimage sites as significant while overlooking the sacredness of their local church, similar to how we can appreciate foreign experiences more than home-based ones.
The Gospel story of the Magi, who traveled far to worship Jesus, is contrasted with King Herod, who lived only six miles from Bethlehem but sought to eliminate the child. This highlights two extreme responses to God's presence: seeking intimacy despite distance, or hostility despite proximity.
Father Mike introduces the Japanese word 'Menukai,' meaning 'can't be bothered,' to describe an indifference that prevents us from engaging with amazing things even when they are close by. He applies this to how we might respond to God, being so close that we become indifferent.
When God comes close, the response will either be intimacy or hostility; indifference is not a sustainable option. Mike explains that in matters of faith, we must choose to either embrace God with our whole heart or seek to eliminate Him from our lives.
Father Mike discusses interfaith marriages, noting that while permissible, the true challenge comes when following Jesus requires sacrifice from the non-Catholic spouse. God's closeness will eventually demand a response that either softens or hardens the heart.
Like the Magi, we are called to seek God and offer Him our treasures. Father Mike, referencing St. Augustine, suggests that we can offer God our sins (our worst, and truly ours) and our obedience (our best, our will, our 'yes').
Father Mike concludes with an invitation: to move beyond indifference, allow God to melt our hearts, offer Him our worst and best, and actively change something in our environment or daily life to move closer to Jesus. This change allows proximity to God to truly become intimacy.