Star

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Star

Divine   Guidance

Illuminated   Faith   Journey

When Jesus Was Born

Epiphany

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Matthew 2: 1 to 2

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, magi from the east came to Jerusalem.

They said, "Where is the king of the Jews? We saw His star as it was rising. We have come to worship Him."

Reflection

Stars fascinate us. The light attracts us. We become aware of the vastness of the universe.

The magi in our reading from Matthew saw a star that was different. The brightness of this star was unusual. The magi knew that it would lead them to Someone special and extraordinary.

They believed that God was guiding them. It is the feeling we get when we sense the presence of God in a person we meet, in a passage we have read, in a walk in the forest or on the beach, or as we are praying.

The star gave them light and pointed them in the right direction. There are times when all of us become adrift. We lose our way and can get confused. We need illumination. We seek someone to show us the way.

We ask, "In whom should I place my faith?" We look for true wisdom. The magi put their faith in the star. They decided to follow it. We can wonder if some of their friends and family thought that they were crazy.

You can hear them saying, "Follow a star? What a waste of time and money! Do they seriously believe that they will find the king of the Jews by following a star?"

Faith is like that. It leaves us open to ridicule and mockery from others. It takes us on a journey that others refuse to take and think it is foolish to take.

The star takes the magi to Jesus. They encounter this young child and immediately know that He is special. They discover it in His face and in the faces of Mary and Joseph.

Their hearts are touched in this epiphany. This baby becomes their GIFT as they share the gifts that they brought for Him.

The star led them to Jesus. This story helps us to reflect on the stars in our lives that can guide us to a deeper relationship with Jesus.

We know how deeply Jesus loves us. We know He wants to fill our hearts with His Love. This is why He came into the world. 

This is why the magi came.

They felt Love.

The star had led them.

They had faith.

Their hearts were full when they left Bethlehem.

Jesus wants to fill our hearts as well.

Follow that STAR!

1. What are the stars that you have been following?

2. How important is faith in your life?

3. How do you react when people ridicule you for your faith?

4. When you lose your way and become confused, what helps you to get back on track?

5. What do you feel as you contemplate Kathy's photo?

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