Epiphany 3 January 2016
[__01__] Can an object which is far away help us to
locate something in the here and the now?
The Good News of the Gospel journey of the 3 Kings, the Magi is that YES … an object which is far
away help us to locate something in the here and the now.
[__02__] The
Star of Bethlehem is far away, the star is distant. In the measurement of
planet, solar systems, galaxies, we would imagine the star is billions and
billions of miles – light years – away. The distances are vast, much greater
than those on earth.
Yet, we use these faraway
objects for perspective and navigation here on earth.
The moon is over 200,000
miles away but is a necessary reference point and illumination. When the sky is
clear, we can really see where we are at night.
And, of course, before
there were rockets and rocket scientists, and Google-Earth, the only G.P.S. we
had was a star or a constellation, or a planet.
A star, though very far
away, helps us locate something or someone in the here and the now.
[__03__] Saint Leo the Great, in a sermon about the
Epiphany writes that the star – the Star of David, the Star of Bethlehem - is a servant to us and to the Magi, to the 3
Kings.
[__04__] Some stars – whether in the movies of
Hollywood or the endzones of MetLife Stadium or the court of Madison Square
Garden – want only to show themselves. Such stars wish to boat, to brag to call
attention.
This star – the Star of
David, the Star of Bethlehem – wants to put Jesus Christ first on stage, in the
center.
[__05__] This star attracts other celebrities,
dignitaries, diplomats. The appearance and consultation fo the Magi, the 3
Kings, who also appear at Bethlehem
without bodyguards and cameras …or bodyguards with body cameras.
They appear as humble
servants themselves. What we remember better than their names are the gifts
they leave behind – the gold, frankincense, myrrh.
The 3 Kings are stars in
their own right, yet they put the spotlight on our Savior by their gifts.
[__06__] Can an object which is far away help us locate
something in the here and the now?
In practical ways, we
believe and practice this.
For example, we may
observe that the intelligence or capabilities of our children – of our loved
ones may be far away..may require years to unfold and develop.
On the other hand, we may
also care for a loved one with whom does not have same communication or
cognition skills as before.
In both cases, we love and
speak to our children – our loved ones…. In full sentences, in words they may
not be able to repeat yet.
We speak to them, bringing
them our gifts.
[__07__] The star of Bethlehem reminds us to turn our attention forward, because our
calling is to show Christ to others and to find him always ahead of us.
The star reminds us that
he Lord does show himself to us in natura ways, by natural means, by visible
means.
We may not, in fact, see
him on a screen or in a dream … or in a star, comet, or the sky.
Nevertheless, we are made
aware of God’s wisdom whenever we turn off the GPS of our own interpretations
to see the truth of a situation.
[__08__]
This is true whether the situation is one of prosperity/happiness or difficulty
/ sorrow.
In both cases, we may
imagine that what has happened is entirely our responsibility, or our doing.
But, in a time of success
or prosperity, we are called to follow this star – this light of Christ – to
consider how your success – my success – can be a gift of gold, frankincense
and myrrh to our Savior.
[__09__] And,
in a time of sorrow, difficulty, even failure, we are called to remember that
the Lord does not leave us alone, though he may wish to meet us in peace and
quiet – when we are alone – and so that he can speak to us and remind us that
there are stars, lights, we have not yet discovered in the universe.
There are plans which God
has not yet made known to us but will make known for those with eyes to see and
ears to hear, stars which God is still revealing so that we can draw closer to
him in the here and the now, in the present moment. [__fin__]
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