Following Stars around the World

To the Sources:

From Matthew 2:1-12 (Year A:Epiphany)

Following ‘your dreams’ (assuming we still have some) is important in life (and assuming that there is life before death). Stars are like cut-out specs in a giant canvas of the heavens. They let in light and hint at worlds beyond the ones we touch, see and hear.  Following your star brings up images of fate. However, life is in our hands if we know how to seize the here and now. Following a star – or rather letting ourselves be led by a star is important. But which star to follow? And how do we discern good stars from bad stars in our lives? Note that the gospel of St Matthew speaks of ‘wise men’ in the plural without saying how many. Where two or three …. We travel under a good star together and not alone. But, we need to discern and avoid tricksters and chancers like Herrod who are up to no good. A spiritual journey of discernment is a journey for life which is never undertaken alone and can lead to joy. When they found what they were looking for the Gospel tells us that they were ‘overjoyed’. Not just joy but ‘overjoy’. Or surprised by joy as C.S. Lewis might have put it.

But, we are each given, I believe, a star to follow – a unique path and goal. We don’t need to go outdoors gazing at the night sky or we don’t need to look up our horoscope every day. The star is within – deep within ourselves if we care to go there in silence and wonder. This star will lead to ‘God only knows where’ – full of surprises, full of joy and full of peace beyond our wildest dreams and imaginings. And the end goal is not the star but that which the star leads to. It lights our path and shows us where to go step by step. And this is faith.