Just a word before we go...The Feast of the Epiphany...January 8, 2023

The Magi who searched for the baby Jesus were seekers of more meaning in their lives; they were drawn toward God by nature...the Star rising in the East.  Whether they were kings or astrologers is not known for certain, but what is known is that they were courageous travelers, taking risks by leaving their homes to follow a new star until it led them to the newborn King.  They exhibited further evidence of their bravery by defying Herod’s orders and returning to their homelands by what was probably a more dangerous route, all because of a dream.

What does it take to embark on any journey to find more meaning in our lives?  And what are the guideposts along the way?  Often a developing sense of dissatisfaction with our status quo can prompt the journey; systems theorists call this feeling “disequilibrium.”  It can cause us to challenge our presuppositions about people, situations, and God, and shift our perceptions of these.  Even as these times can be uncomfortable, they stretch us and are necessary for growth to occur. The danger inherent in ignoring the discomfort is to become stuck...not a good place for ourselves or for those around us!  As to guideposts, God will provide these, whether through other people, dreams or even stars!  Beginning a journey of any kind is risky and requires courage; but I would submit that staying stuck is more of a risk.

Perhaps we are all Magi in some sense; we all are looking for more meaning in our lives. Our God, the source of all meaning, is always inviting us into relationship, into revealing Godself to us.  We need not be kings or astrologers...simply seekers. 

We hear in the Gospel that when the Magi found the child, they were overjoyed and honored him with gifts.  Imagine the joy each of us might feel when we are blessed with an epiphany of our own.  All we need to do is to knock, to ask, and to seek...and pay attention to the guideposts along the way.