When the Wise Men came to Jerusalem seeking the newly born king of the Jews (Matthew 2:3-6), the priests and scribes in Jerusalem quoted for them the opening words of today's first reading, from the prophet Micah, (Matthew 2:3-6).

This story illustrates the tragedy of the Jews: They knew the place, but they did not recognize the time. They knew where in the Bible to find the answer to the Wise Men's question: the prophet Micah. They knew where Bethlehem was and they knew its significance. They also knew the place where God dwelt on earth: the holy of holies in the Temple.

During his public life (Luke 19:44) Jesus warned the people that the holy city would be destroyed because they did not recognize the time of God's visitation. Holy places are important, of course, but Jesus hints that for, many of us, a recognition of a holy time may be more important (John 4:23).

Wherever we may be, any time which we spend in prayer or worship can be and ought to be a holy time. In the Liturgy, the Church celebrates a number of special holy times: Advent, Christmastime, Lent, Holy Week and Easter, the time after Easter.