Star

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Star

Eastern     Radiant

Magi    Epiphany    Promise

The Mystery Made Known

Coheirs

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6

Brothers and sisters: You have heard of the bounty of God's grace that was given to me for your assistance.

The mystery was shared with me through revelation.

People in other generations did not receive it.

It has now been revealed to his faithful apostles and prophets by the Holy Spirit.

The Gentiles are coheirs, joined in the same body, and copartners in the covenant in Christ Jesus through the good news.

Reflection

In our passage from Ephesians Paul is talking about the grace that he has received. His conversion was an amazing example of Jesus communicating directly with him. That experience stayed with Paul and shaped his ministry. Paul knew that it was impossible to limit God's grace and God's call.

That grace and call have been extended to the Gentiles. This led to a big controversy in the early Church. There were many who thought that the Gentile converts had to become Jewish first. 

Because of his experience, Paul felt differently.

It is always a temptation to limit the grace and the direction that flows from the Holy Spirit. 

The story of the Magi which we celebrate on the Feast of the Epiphany shows how God leads.

God sends a star to guide the Magi.

They come seeking from a foreign land.

They were most likely from a different religious tradition.

They experienced what Paul experienced: the bounty of God's grace.

The Body of Christ is much bigger than we thought.

There are more coheirs than we realize.

The Good News is being proclaimed in more places than we know. 

God is amazing and the grace of God cannot be limited.

Paul knew that well! So did the Magi!

Do we?

1. Why do we as humans try to limit God's grace?

2. Why do you think the Magi followed the star?

3. What stars have you been following lately?

(scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)