"New Bethlehem Heart"
"A Star to Look up to"
There are many lessons to be learned
from the Solemnity of The Epiphany of the Lord. One of these is that the
most important gift is not found under the Christmas tree but rather under the
star: Jesus! Everyone, whether he or she knows it consciously or not, is on
a "journey to find Jesus", love's pure light. He is the one whom we seek. As
the line from the Christmas carol, "We Three Kings" says, "guide us to thy
perfect light". God initiated our salvation through the Incarnation (the
Word become flesh in our human nature). So, too, God initiated the journey of
the magi through a new, rising star. If there had been no star, there would
have been no journey of the magi and no encounter with Jesus.
One must look upward to see a star.
Stars are not seen by looking at the ground. There is great need today for
"Catholic stars" whom others can "look up to" for guidance and direction
in the faith journey, who can lead others to an encounter with Jesus. A
"Catholic star" is one who leads others to the real and true presence of Jesus through
the witness of a holiness of life.
As the magi word it, "We saw his star at its rising" (Mt. 2:2). One is
'his' star when one belongs to Jesus so completely that his divine radiance
emanates from within them: "Nations shall walk by your light and kings
by your shining radiance" (Is. 60:3). A true "Catholic star" awakens
questions within the minds of seekers concerning Jesus: "Where is the newborn
king of the Jews?" (Mt. 2:2). Living as we do in a time when more and more "darkness
covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the people" (Is. 60:2), there is
urgent need for "Catholic stars" who radiate the splendor of truth, Jesus.
Whether it be the darkness of error and sin, or the "thick clouds" of spiritual
deceit, theological and moral ambiguity and confusion, ours is a time in need
of stars with "royal beauty bright", "intermediary lights", who offer
clarity and orientation to a people who walk in darkness.
We find in the New Testament a number
of "intermediary stars" who awaken and guide others to Jesus: There is the
angel of the Lord who appears to the shepherds in the fields while they keep
night watch over their flock, who sets them on a journey by revealing where the
newborn Jesus can be found (see Luke 2:8-14); there is John the Baptist who
points out to two of his disciples, "Behold, the Lamb of God" (John 1:36); one
of these, Andrew, follows Jesus and stays with him that day. Then, Andrew, in
turn, becomes "a guiding star" for his brother, Simon Peter. We are told that
Andrew "first found his own brother...then he brought him to Jesus"
(John 1:41,42)--as the star "brought" the magi to Jesus. "Catholic stars" are
God's instruments to bring others to Jesus; There is Philip whom the angel of
the Lord sent to an Ethiopian eunuch to lead the latter to faith in Jesus (see
Acts 8:26-39); and there is Ananias, a disciple whom the Lord speaks to and
sends to a blinded Saul to heal him and baptize him: "Saul, my brother, the
Lord has sent me...that you may regain your sight and be filled with the
holy Spirit" (Acts 9:17).
Without "Catholic stars" today many
searching souls will be denied the opportunity to come to faith in Jesus, offer
the King of kings homage and prostration of heart, and offer their gifts to
serve his Body, the Church.
Questions:
1) Am
I a "Catholic star" whose words and actions help orient others towards Jesus?
2) Do
I seek the salvation of souls above my own interests and desires?
Scriptures:
Any scripture from the text; Mt. 5:16; Phil. 2:15-16A;
1 Pet. 1:15-16
