HOMILY for January 8, 2017: Feast of the Epiphany, Cycle A

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Feast of the Epiphany, Cycle A

January 8, 2017    

Terra Nova Hermitage

Following a Star

By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato

The Tug Within Us All

I think that each of us has a star that we follow.

What I mean is that each of us has something leading us, usually from inside ourselves, but sometimes from outside ourselves.  And this something, this star moves us to seek something beyond ourselves, something we do not have.

I am thinking of things like self-worth – a feeling that we are okay and even good as God says in the act of creation.  Or maybe it is peacefulness – a sense of settledness within ourselves and with God.

I am thinking of things like forgiveness – forgiving ourselves of something in the past and feeling assured that God has also forgiven us.  Or maybe it is community – being part of a family or a group and just knowing that we are at home with these people.

I believe that underneath all of our financial goals and job goals and ownership goals, these are the real goals that drive us in life.  There is a star – something within us, or maybe something or someone outside of us – there is a star that leads us to these deeper goals.

In today’s gospel, we hear of the magi who come from a distant country.  The indication is that they have a lot in their lives already.

They are wealthy and they are regarded as knowledgeable – as “wise” persons.  But still, a star is drawing them beyond themselves.

They want something or someone more.  So they follow this star and find what they want – in the infant in Bethlehem, in Jesus, in Emmanuel, God with us on this earth. 

Giving of Ourselves

Now let’s notice what the magi do as a result of following their star.

They give gifts to the child Jesus.  Their gifts are expensive, at least for that day.

They are appropriate gifts from the magi who apparently are wealthy.  So, the magi follow their star and end up giving gifts that express where the star has led them.

I recommend that we are to do the same.  We also are to give gifts as a result of following our star.

So, if our star has led us to a sense of self-worth, then we can give the gift of esteem to others by treating them as persons of worth and value.  If our star has led us to peacefulness, then we can bring a sense of calm to our relationships.

If our star has led us to forgiveness, then we can give the gift of forgiveness by at least not wishing or causing harm to to someone who has hurt us.  And if our star has led us to community, then we can be inclusive of others regardless of how different they are from us.

The truth is that all of these stars that we have really lead us to Bethlehem, to Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us.  They do for us what that star long ago did for the magi.

We may need patience and we may need to travel a distance, maybe not geographically as the magi did, but maybe within ourselves and in our relationships.  But if we follow our star, we too can come to personal wholeness and spiritual holiness.