“Twinkle, twinkle, little star….when you wish upon a star…would you like to swing on a star….” Well, I guess I am dating myself! If anyone can sing these lyrics with me, you know what I mean!
Stars in a dark sky make us look up in wonder, invite us to see that we are so small in comparison, give us hope in the midst of the darkness, remind us that we are not alone.
Today we celebrate not just stars, but the star! The star that led the magi (wise ones, sages, astronomers) from their homes far away to find a tiny baby, a king without an earthly kingdom, a star himself who would so influence the ages that we still celebrate his birth, his life, his words, his power to save- just everything about him!
We are called to be faith-filled like the magi, who trusted that the star would lead them somewhere special, to someone special. We are called to be courageous, overcoming every obstacle that might keep us from following Jesus. We are called to be generous, giving to others without counting the cost. We are called to be risk-takers, willing to change our plans when it is the right thing to do (like the magi who went home another way).
We are invited to remember that the story does not end here (see Mt. 2:13 ff). After the magi departed, Joseph also had a dream, warning him. Mary and Jesus were not going to have an easy time of it. They had to be off and running that night. Immigrants without a home, Joseph takes them to Egypt: no job, new language, strange land, no friends or relatives, for an unknown time….we can only hope they found kind people to help them.
I recently received an email with the following message that really speaks to today’s celebration of Epiphany:
“Christmas leads to Epiphany, that light shining from Bethlehem upon the whole world. The beam of that light, experienced by seekers in ancient times, continues its glow until it reaches the seekers of every era, and particularly the seekers of today.
May we open our hearts to those who long for God, and may the doors of our churches be opened wide to embrace those who come to glimpse a newborn Child and grasp God’s vision of hope.”
May our New Year 2014 find us rich in all the priceless gifts that Jesus brings. May we pray with gratitude for all those who have led us closer to Jesus even to this moment in time.
-Sister Marie Paul Grech, SND
In the Hands of the Potter 
Sr Marie Paul, Happy Epiphany! This is so great about the star that lead the magi to the baby Jesus. What we are called to be is a life time of following the star and Babe of Bethlehem. May you and our other Brothers always Follow That Star! that leads to greater love of the King of Bethlehem. Love and prayers, SRPJ