In the Gospel story, the Magi from the east were looking for Jesus and eventually they found him by following a star. “And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it stopped over the place where the child was (Matthew 2:1-12).” Through the brilliance and clarity of a star, the Magi found Jesus.
In our own time, Jesus will not be found in a stable in Bethlehem. He is found through the lives of us, his disciples. Like the star that showed the Magi the way to Jesus, our lives can be described as the stars that lead the way to him in 2021. How wonderful to imagine that through the brilliance of our lives of faith, people will find the way to Jesus.
In the world, there are many other kinds of stars. There are movie stars, rock stars and sports stars and they get a lot of attention. The Epiphany can invite us to think of ourselves as stars of Jesus whose lives can be stars for others. Husbands and wives can be stars for each other by treasuring every moment together. Parents can be stars for their children by being good examples for them. We can be stars for our friends by making time for them. We can even be stars for those we do not know by living lives in these difficult times with patience, cooperation and hope for the future. We can always be stars wherever we are and whomever we are with by living with compassion, generosity, honesty, integrity, conviction, courage and forgiveness.
Most of us have probably had the desire at one time or another to be a famous star. We have imagined what it would be like to have lots of money, attention and popularity. As disciples of Jesus, we have something much more precious than being that kind of a star. We are the stars of Jesus, filling the world with his love by the brightness of our lives.
What a blessing to be with you, a Church full of stars.
Together in faith,
Very Rev. Christopher H. Smith, Rector