The best thing about allowing God to plan your travels are the amazing ways He surprises you. When I stepped off the train in Cologne I had no idea of what awaited me. I had found little of spiritual significance in Berlin other than art and artifacts.
I guess because of that, I had written off the rest of Germany outside of Bavaria. God knows what he is doing even when I don’t. Living in the present though, requires not knowing, thus receiving each moment as a sacrament. It’s trusting that while you may be in the dark, you’re really in His light, being guided by His illumination.
Awe, sheer awe, is what I felt as I approached the looming, goth of a Cathedral, with it’s twin spires and it’s dark staining. I needed to know more, even if it meant using my precious data. Quickly, Google turned up all I needed: Relics of the Kings. I checked my phone for the date. January 9th. Yes! It was within eight days of the celebration of Epiphany. I knew this was more than luck.
I was taught that Catholics may celebrate any solemnity as an octave. I think this may have been a hook; Catholics like to party so we can extend it out. If you get a Christmas card from me in February- as long as it’s before Mardi Gras- it is legit. Don’t ask me to explain it. Just say “thanks”. Wink. Wink.
Anyway. I marveled at God’s timing in bringing me here to visit the tomb where three kings who followed a star across the globe were laid to rest. You know these guys.
“We three kings of Orient are, Bearing gifts we traversed so far, Field and fountain, Moor and mountain, Following yonder star.”
Yep. Those are the ones. Amazing. I would NEVER have guessed that they would be here in the Rhineland. But as I said, God is full of surprises.
Cologne, Relics of the Magi
The Three Kings, or the Magi, as they are sometimes called, seem to be a bit shrouded in mystery, like the lands that they inhabited: Arabia, Persia and India.
As a disclaimer: I am neither theologian nor scholar, just an ordinary pilgrim like you; that is all. I give you this disclaimer as there seems to be debate amongst those who are theologians and scholars, as to the facts concerning these men. They may argue but I prefer a simpler way; Trust.
When we choose to trust we open ourselves to the reality of the Truth. Choosing to trust is an act of faith. It is declaring that we don’t have all the answers, that we are willing to be vulnerable and risk facing humiliation. Trust requires courage.
Back to the Kings…This is what I know:
Balthasar was a king of Arabia, Melchior was a king of Persia and Casper was a king of India. These men set out on a long pilgrimage being led by the light, a star shining in the darkness.
They did not make the journey empty-handed. Within their bounty were some treasured gifts. They knew that someone even greater than themselves had come into the world. They wanted to be prepared to offer him their honor and allegiance.
Perhaps, they were prophets. Some say they were priests. By the end of their journey they would become: true prophets, priests, and kings.
Epiphany Scene
After traveling for more than one year, the pilgrim kings finally arrived in the land of the Hebrews. As would be customary they went to the ruler of the kingdom, King Herod. They explained their circumstances to the Roman-appointed, king of Judea. The Magi informed him that they came seeking the newly-born King of the Jews. Imagine Herod’s surprise.
Herod possesed with envy and fear, ordered all male children in the kingdom under the age of two, to be murdered. This is remembered as the Massacre of the Innocents. Christians recognize these Holy Innocents as the first martyrs of the faith.
The Three Kings went on from Herod’s palace eventually finding the Infant Jesus. They prostrated themselves in worship before Him laying at His feet their gifts: Gold for the child’s Kingship, frankincense for his Priesthood, and myrrh for His Death. Imagine Mary’s wonder.
Shortly after their arrival, Joseph, Mary’s husband, had a dream in which an angel appeared to him. The messenger from God warned Joseph to take his wife and child to Egypt due to the tyranny of Herod. In astonishment, Joseph obeyed.
Balthasar, Melchior, and Casper had found what they were searching for. They set out seeking that which was greater than themselves. Their sights were set on heaven. Their hearts were that of pilgrims.
Their pilgrimage brought about many surprises not only for themselves but for those they encountered. It set into motion many unexpected events of which they were unaware. They were only aware of their part. Living in the present they allowed life to unfold before them. With trust they followed into the unknown and were illuminated by the Light of the World.
Much more could be said about the Holy Family’s Flight Into Egypt but I think I’ll wait with hope that a pilgrimage to that mysterious land may be in the future. For now I will be content with this very moment, for that is where God is to be found. With every new moment comes a new epiphany- illuminating the darkness- that hides in the heart.
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AMERICAN PEREGRINA 