STARS FOR JESUS

STARS FOR JESUS 
By Mary Olivia Patiño 
 
From my chair near the far back, I could hear our Pastor’s message quite clearly. This was remarkable because there are times when my hearing is impaired, for one reason or another. More remarkable still because it was the Feast of Epiphany. A very solemn day in the liturgical year. I needed to hear the message very clearly.
“Be stars for Jesus!” That is what I heard. 
I heard most of what he said. But this phrase resounds in my heart. Our Pastor walked to the center to stand between the pews (ours is not the traditional sanctuary setting), to deliver his homily. In front of the Baptismal Font, Baby Jesus lay in his manger with Mary and Joseph; the shepherds and animals adored him. Would Fr. Gilberto pick up Baby Jesus, like he did earlier in the week, and hold him close? I wondered too where the Magi were. Were they waiting in the “wings” in the Narthex or behind the huge columns? I thought of the Three Kings, or Magi, remembering that in years past, we recognized our parishioners in their beautiful robes, dressed like kings. Wearing crown or turban, they carried gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Following the brightest star, the Magi had arrived to bring gifts to the Baby Jesus. 
The Magi did not appear. Time has passed; changes have occurred. Today, our Kings do not walk as spritely as they once did. Some, like many of us, rely a bit on our canes to walk. But, the Magi in our parish still bring the light of Christ to others. Indeed, this must be what Father Gilberto might have been alluding to: we all need to be stars for Jesus! 
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Light! We too can light the way towards Jesus Christ. Soon, we will take down our multi-color or soft white Christmas lights from the pine tree indoors, or the eaves or bushes outside. But we cannot allow our inner light to dim or extinguish. Wherever we are, whatever we do, let us live with peace, love, and mercy in our hearts. Let’s shine brightly with the light of Christ within each of us. Then, we too shall be Lights for Jesus! Jesus is the One and True Light for us to follow. 

“No longer shall your sun go down, or your moon withdraw, for the Lord will be your light forever.” Isaiah 60:20 

"Like a star shining among the clouds." -Sirach 50:6

For Reflection: 
How are you a star for Jesus? 

*To read about faith and hope in our lives (and about our search for justice), please read my book The Last River: A Place of Hope and Dreams. (Poetry with Scripture for Reflection). 

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