"New Bethlehem Heart"
"Bethlehem Star"
This Sunday we celebrate the
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. In the English language, the root
meaning of the word, epiphany, is "to bring to light". Certainly the mystery of
this Solemnity "brings to light"--reveals--who Jesus is. There is a great need
today to both bring people to the Light, himself, and to bring the Light
(Jesus) to people. The story of the magi is found in Mt. 2:1-12. The story
introduces the reader to the Bethlehem star that precedes and guides the magi
to the place where the new born Jesus is.
St. Paul in his letter to the Philipians uses an analogy to encourage the Christians of
that community: "Shine like the stars in the sky while holding fast to
the word of life" (Phil. 2:15-16). The Bethlehem star is unique among all the
stars. It is the only star that leads people to a life-changing encounter with
Jesus. It is very specifically his star: "We saw his star at its rising"
(Mt. 2:2). It is particular to Jesus. It reveals the new birth of God into His
world. It leads to the Lamb. It brings the magi to the one who is light,
himself! An intercessor is called to be like a "Bethlehem star" in certain
ways. Like this star, intercession precedes, goes before, prepares a heart (or hearts) for an encounter
with Jesus: "Go before the Lord to prepare his ways" (Luke 1:76). Also, just as
the Bethlehem star reveals the new birth of God into His world, intercession
can open up those whom one is praying for to receive the grace of "a new
birth to a living hope" (1 Pet. 1:3); "born anew...through the
living and abiding word of God" (1 Pet. 1:23).
What makes a star shine? A star
radiates light because of thermonuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium in
its core, releasing energy that traverses the star's interior and then
radiating into outer space. The interior dynamic is what causes the
power produced and the light that we see. It is what takes place within
that matters the most! A star is, in one
sense, a "ball of fire". For an intercessor as well, it is what is within
that matters most: The interior life of union with Jesus: "Christ lives
in me" (Gal. 2:20); "For God who
said, "Let light shine out of darkness", has shown in our hearts" (2 Cr.
4:6).
Intercessors pray for others to
experience interior light": "Love's pure Light"--Jesus Christ. We pray that
"every heart enthrone him." Intercessors are often like hidden stars: "You life is hidden with Christ in God" (Col.
3:3); "The hidden character of
the heart" (1 Pet. 3:4). We are hidden like stars in the daytime
sky--always present yet unseen because of the light of the sun; yet, we are
always praying. We are hidden like stars at night in cities and suburbs
where the concentrated glow of artificial light obscures their visibility in
the night sky; yet, we are always praying. Hidden, we pray that the
"Morning Star" rise in every heart; we pray for others to see the light of
truth. We pray that they may be led to the place in their hearts "where the
child [is]" (Mt. 2: 9).
Unfortunately today many people,
enamored by "artificial illumination" ("Even Satan masquerades as an angel of
light"--2 Cr. 11:14), follow false and "fallen stars". Many people search in
futility for fulfillment apart from God. One might speak of "the path of
totality" of our times: The vastly accelerated moral eclipse of our age. In
the midst of this, with "halogen hearts" and a "luminous love" intercessors
prostrate before and do homage to Jesus, and pray on behalf of those who don't
care to seek him--who either ignore or even wage war against the Lamb in the
world today. The hope of a true intercessor may be summed up in the refrain of
this Sunday's Responsorial Psalm: "Lord, every nation on earth will adore
you"!
Questions:
1) Is
there something in my life that is preventing me from belonging to Jesus
completely?
2) Is
there a part within me that still wants to be seen, recognized, praised,
congratulated, "ego-stroked"?
Scriptures:
Any scripture from the text; Luke 1:38; John 3:8; James. 1:18
