This is Cardinal Francis George, and I invite you to join me for the next few minutes to reflect with Father Robert Barron on the Word of God, which is the Word on Fire.

Father Barron will challenge us to open our hearts to the Word on Fire, which is God's Word of Love for each of us.

If our hearts are open, the Lord can change and transform us so that we might speak with love about the one who is love.

The Archdiocese of Chicago through the generosity of Sacred Heart Parishing Winnetka now presents the Word on Fire.

Peace be with you.

Friends, what is it about the story of the Magi that is so compelling?

What is it about this tale that has captivated Christian artists and poets and painters over the century?

Why is it that even to this day, kids love to see the figures of the three wise men, the Magi?

One quick answer to those questions is this story, like so many of the gospel stories, tells the whole story.

What I mean is in the symbols and movement and drama of this story, the whole of the Christian life in one sense is on display.

Let me first read to you a little bit of Matthew's account of the journey of the Magi.

After Jesus' birth in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of King Herod, astrologers from the east arrive one day in Jerusalem inquiring,

where is the newborn King of the Jews?

We observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.

It says here, astrologers, that's the translation of the Greek word, Magoi, if it's what Matthew called them, Magoi.

Who were they?

Mejai?

We'd say probably some combination of astronomers, astrologers, religious seekers.

You know, in Babylon to the east of Judea, the east of Jerusalem, there was a complex culture of stargazing,

people that would gaze up into the night sky, seeking to measure the stars and understand them, yes, astronomy,

but also seeking in these stars signs of God's purposes and God's intentions.

The Magi were religious seekers, hence a first spiritual lesson of this story.

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