Weekly HOMILY for January 7, 2007: Jesus As Polaris, the North Star

Epiphany, Cycle C
Our Lady of Grace
January 7, 2007

Jesus As Polaris, the North Star
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato


The North Star

I am sure that all of us know about the North Star or Polaris as it is called.

Even if we have hardly any knowledge of the plants and stars, we have heard of the North Star.

For centuries, navigators have charted their course by the light of this star.

While the stars that make up the constellations move during the hours of night, the North Star remains constant.

Between summer and winter, it rises and falls a few degrees above the horizon, but it still remains directly above the earth’s North Pole.

This is why the North Star has been so important to sailors and travelers.

While the many lights of the heavens change their position, the North Star remains constant.


Jesus: Our Constant Light

The North Star is a helpful image for us this morning.

Today’s Gospel tells us that these Wise Men followed the light of a star and find the newborn Jesus.

In truth, the light of the star leads then to the Light.

Jesus is our North Star – that fixed, constant, steady light

As the Light, Jesus enlightens or sheds light for us on (1) God, (2) On ourselves, and (3) On human life.


Light on God

First, Jesus enlightens us or sheds light on God.

Jesus reveals to us precisely who God is and what God is like.

Our Profession of Faith that we will say in a few minutes speaks of this beautifully and profoundly.

In it, we say that Jesus is “God for God, Light from Light, true God from true God.”

God is Light and Jesus is God or Light who has taken on our humanity.
Jesus enlightens us that God is completely love, loving and completely giving of himself for our well-being.

After all, is that not the very nature of light – to be outgoing and giving of itself?

Jesus enlightens us that God wants only the best for us and so attracts us to himself.

In fact, the Light-from-Light that Jesus is for us the way to the fullness of Light.


Light on Ourselves

In doing this, Jesus also enlightens or sheds light for us on ourselves.

Jesus enlightens us that we are not God, that we ourselves are not the Light.

And so, we need to do as these Wise Men today do.

We need to give homage to God.

For us, giving homage means that we speak the words of the Creed or Profession of Faith with an awareness of the greatness of God and of our dependence on God.

It means that we worship together and pray in solitude as a way to draw on the strength of God.

It means that we worship together and pray in solitude as a way to draw on the strength of God.

Giving homage means that we seek our enlightenment and meaning and purpose from the One who is Light itself.


Light on Human Life

And finally, in connection with this, Jesus enlightens or sheds light on human life itself.

Jesus enlightens us that our life takes its cue, again, from the Wise Men.

It is a journey; we are on a journey that is never complete until we personally meet the One who is Light itself.

Yes, Jesus lays down the broad strokes and plan for human life but we still have to journey to apply his Light to our personal circumstances.

And we have to bring his Light to the scientific discoveries and technological opportunities and challenge of this day and age.

Jesus also enlightens us that we personally are on a journey and are never finished or perfect products.

We need the openness of the Wise Men – to grow and learn, again, until we meet the One who is Light itself.


Conclusion

So, the North Star – Polaris – that fixed, constant light for navigators and travelers is present to us as well.

Jesus – the first constant Light-from Light for all of us travelers on this earth – enlightening us about God and ourselves and human life itself.

That is who Jesus is and what we celebrate on this Feast any.