Priesthood is My Star
Sometimes, though not always, on the Feast of Epiphany, I like to share something very personal that the story elicits in me. This year I want to use it as an example of how Ignatius of Loyola encourages us to enter into the scripture passage, so as to enter more deeply into the life of Christ. This is an essential aspect of our Be More adventure this year.
Joseph A. Tetlow S.J., in his more contemporary interpretation of the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola, says that the prayer type called Consideration that leads to Contemplation helps us to, “…say yes to God’s work in our LIFE WORLD.” Tetlow combines our life experience and story with that of the world in which we live.
My prayer with this passage from Matthew begins with facts about the world – Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and Herod was King and in the midst of this BEHOLD, and interesting characters come from the east on a star led adventure. I call them interesting because they have different titles: Magi, Kings, Wise Men, even charlatans or soothsayers. Whoever they are, it is clear that they know something about the stars, and one special star both indicates something new and guides them.
Beholding in the midst of facts and interesting things in life encourages us to take a deeper look.
These travelers, pilgrims if you will, are not all from the exact same region. They notice the star independently and as they begin their adventure; their voyage brings them together. Undoubtedly, the trip was a lengthy one. They rode camels, not the speediest form of transportation, but adequate, dependable and steady. They traversed the ups and downs of life’s landscape as they traveled. They did not fly or drive.
I imagine that as they stopped along the way they discussed the star’s meaning. I fantasize that they laid on their backs at night gazing at the star in wonder, sharing their story and how their fascination with astronomy came about.
They did not travel alone; the fascination of the star brought them together. They held gifts to give away, gifts that represented natural resources of the areas that they were from, and if they were kings, they were giving kingly gifts to a new King. If they were more wise men, they were giving gifts that were extensions of the wisdom they were endowed with.
When they approached the actual destination or place where the star was leading them, they got off track. They assumed that Jerusalem was their destination. We all know that assuming can get us off track. Arriving in Jerusalem, they announced to the very insecure King that they were looking for a new King. This upsets the King Herod and he wants to know the exact location of this new King so he can destroy him. He lies to the Magi.
It is finally determined that the star was leading to tiny Bethlehem, five and a half miles away.
They continued their adventure, along the terrain of the land. They did not travel alone, they traveled with others. They held gifts in their hands, and they kept their eye on the star. As much as they revered astrology and the stars, somehow, they never confused the star with its purpose; somehow, they differentiated the star from the destination.
The star led them to their savior and when they arrived, they gave their gifts away. The star led them to our savior. In amazement and gratitude, they gave their treasures away.
I have used this image and passage in talks that I have given locally, nationally and internationally because I hope that it elicits a significant question – WHAT IS YOUR STAR? What do you journey towards, with others? What guides you and encourages you to give your talent, your giftedness away? What leads you to our savior?
I have gotten many interesting answers – music, law, medicine, family, my grandmother, my spouse. Some say, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Some say, “I haven’t found my star.”
My star is priesthood. It has stopped over Holy Family. I journey with all of you. It guides me to my savior and it encourages me to give my gifts away. I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for the great, fascinating, grace-filled adventure, and for traveling with me.