The Epiphany of Our Lord
Matthew 2:1-12
When I graduated from elementary school (just a few short
years ago) our graduation song at Mass was “The Impossible Dream” from the play
“Man of La Mancha.” If you’ve never heard it I suggest you give
it a listen, as it is a profoundly inspirational song about always doing the
right thing, no matter what the cost.
I’ll not take up precious space by repeating all the lyrics (which can
easily be found on the internet) except for the last line – a line which, in
very dramatic fashion, exhorts us “To reach the unreachable star!”
That song at that time in my life had a profound effect on
me and seriously informed my faith – and continues to do so. Every year since then the depiction or image
of the Star of Bethlehem at this time of the year immediately brings that song
to mind.
I have come to imagine that each of us has a Star of
Bethlehem deep inside us. A star which
is there to guide us to the Messiah, the Christ, the King of Kings, the Prince
of Peace – Our Lord. However, each of us
must choose to follow that star. Deep
down inside we know it is there, and we know where it leads, but perhaps we
choose not to follow. Perhaps we do not
see that star too clearly because the star is obscured by the clouds or the fog
in a hectic world. Perhaps there are
other stars, other “shiny objects” which distract us and lead us astray. Perhaps we simply choose not to follow the
star because the journey seems too long, too perilous. Perhaps we’re too busy. In short, there are so many reasons why that
star seems “unreachable.”
The journey the magi took was not an easy one. It was long and perilous. It took them away from their lives and livelihood. Yet they undertook the journey to pay homage
to Jesus, the newborn king. And they
paid him homage with the gifts of gold and myrrh and frankincense. When we choose to follow that star within us
we pay homage to Jesus, too, but we do so with the gifts of our time and our
talent. When we contemplate following
Jesus it often seems like we have too much to lose – yet, in truth, we have so
much to give.
Yes, the star seems “unreachable” but, as we’re told in
Matthew 19:26, “…with God all things are possible.”
“The Impossible Dream” is not so impossible after all.
“Call Me Ishmael”
