Wednesday, January 1, 2013

Today’s text

Matthew 2:1-3, 9-11

After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, suddenly some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east asking, 'Where is the infant king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.' When King Herod hear this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem …Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And suddenly the star they had seen rising went forward and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Reflection

At the dawn of this new year, the contrast is striking. Wise men come from the east, filled with delight at the appearance of a star. Herod, the king, is unsettled and angry, upsetting all Jerusalem.

Herod was determined to maintain his death grip on the power, position and privileges past years and his brutalities had secured. He would gladly kill that which the star heralded. Little wonder all Jerusalem trembled.

The wise men traveled into the unknown of a new day, hearts open to receive what gift or surprise, what joy or challenge might lie in the straw of a manger.

Had they wanted the future to be just like the past they would have stayed home. But their hearts were open to the promise that bright stars portend. So they followed.

They are patron saints of January 1.

Open your hearts and follow the light of Holy Presence in your life, they seem to say. It will lead you on unlikely journeys to unknown places and people who will bless you in surprising ways.”

You will cry tears of joy, sorrow and longing. You will feel more love and hope than you ever thought possible.

The pain of the world and its suffering will strike your heart, but you will know that even this rests in the hands of the healing love that shines from that star--and in every human soul who dares to follow its light.

Your heart will find its home, and you will become more human than ever before.

So release the past and look for the star every day of this new year. Its light is there, so keep your eyes open. You will see it in smiles and grace, in good times and bad, in set backs and success.

The stars, bearers of Christ’s holy light, shine--somehow, some way--in every place and circumstance, piercing the darkness and inviting you to let he who is Love grow and change you into the holy light you are yet to be.

It's New Year's Day, so let hope burn warm and bright. Love shines in every star of your life. Follow its light where ever it goes. It is leading you home.

 

Pr. David L. Miller