Pastors Notes from 1/08/2023
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January 9, 2023Though it was well over twenty years ago I remember a certain fall day, leaves changing colors, winds calm, sky clear blue, the water of the Lil Sioux River gently flowing, the occasional strokes of our paddles, silence and intermittent conversation shared between two friends. At sunset we pulled our canoe from the river at our destination point and drove to a nearby park on the river to enjoy our supper: a sack lunch on an old wharf. Finishing our meal and reminiscing, Paul and I were caught off guard by the sudden fall darkness that shrouded our presence on the river bank. Without a word spoken, instinctively, we both looked heavenward at the radiant canopy of stars that seemed to magically hale above us. For a few precious moments we gazed in silence, in wonder if you will, gracious for a ‘Presence’ that endured our modest significance. A moment endured to memory of that certain constellation befitting our gracious silence.
What about that ‘star’ guiding the wisemen of which no scholar, theologian, or scientist can ascertain its beginning, or even its reality in the scope of astronomic academia. Only by faith can we hold to the truth of such a star, and of a Creator who holds all things in the balance though far removed from our human comprehension. Whenever we become too self-absorbed or arrogant, complacent or despairing, the words of Mother Teresa remind us of where we find our balance: “We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls.”
On this Epiphany Sunday encountering the humble wisdom of the wisemen, the brilliance of a particular star, an infant, mother and father in an inconspicuous stable I leave you with a few reflections revealing truth.
“Note how fitting was the order of events: the wise men saw the star, were received by the Jews and their king; they heard prophecy to explain what had appeared; the angel instructed them; and then they journeyed from Jerusalem to Bethlehem by the guidance of the star. From all this we learn that this was not an ordinary star, for no other star has this capacity to guide, not merely to move but to beckon, to go before them, drawing and guiding them along their way. The star remained after bringing them to the place, in order that the child might also be seen. For there is nothing conspicuous about the place. The inn was ordinary. The mother was not celebrated or notable. The star was needed to manifest and illumine the lowly place, until they had reached their destination at the manger.” (John Chrysostom)
“I never behold the stars that I do not feel I am looking in the face of God. I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how he could look up into the heavens and say there is no God.” (Abraham Lincoln)
“What are you doing, O Magi? Do you adore a little Babe, in a wretched hovel, wrapped in miserable rags? Can this Child be truly God? ... Are you become foolish, O Wise Men ... Yes, these Wise Men have become fools that they may be wise.“ (Bernard of Clairvaux)
“If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore; and preserve for many generations the remembrance of the city of God which had been shown! But every night come out these envoys of beauty, and light the universe with their admonishing smile.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nature and Selected Essays)
“Matthew loved the magi. He gave their story more square inches of text than he gave the narrative of the birth of Jesus. He never mentions the shepherds or the manger, but he didn’t want us to miss the star and the seekers. It’s easy to see why. Their story is our story.“ (Max Lucado)
Lord God of Heaven and Earth,
You revealed Your only-begotten Son to every nation by the light of a star. Bless this house and all who inhabit it. Allow us to find it a shelter of peace and health. Make our house a place of warmth and caring for all who visit us. Fill us with the light of Christ, that we might clearly see You in our work and play. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Conway Ireton, The Circle of Seasons)
God Bless, Fr. Tim
FYI: “What fire could ever equal the sunshine of a winter’s day?” (Henry David Thoreau)