Can the stars really tell us where to go?
THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM FASCINATES. For millennia, believers, scoffers and the curious have wondered at the Biblical account of the Star. The Bible recounts unusual, or even impossible astronomical events at Christ’s birth. For many doubters, the account of the Star is easily dismissed as myth. For many believers, it’s a mystery accepted on faith. But what happens if we combine current historical scholarship, astronomical fact and an open mind?
“How do we interpret signs in our life?” Well the important thing is to realize that signs don’t make things happen, but they do indicate something to us, and they do help us to pay attention and to draw near. We can be overjoyed by signs, like the magi, but we must ultimately bring these signs to the house of God and interpret them within the wisdom of the Church and in the light of revelation.
Ultimately we too must lay it all down before Jesus. We must prostrate ourselves before him like the magi did. He is the way and the truth and the life. He is the one who created all of this wonder and awe. And ultimately science, must bow before God, and humbly admit its limitations. Science is only an indicator to the deeper mystery of our God. And so like the magi we must present our gifts to God. We must use science in service to the God who created it all. Too often science is separated from religion and it was never meant to be. Science should lead us deeper into the mystery of God. The magi were scientists who prostrated before the child and offered their gifts to him. We too must be humble before our God and offer our gifts to him. So no matter what your area of expertise is God can be found in it. We can seek him in everything that we do and in everywhere that we go.
We can be overjoyed at seeing the signs in our life, because God does speak to us through all of His Creation. But we do need to make sure to remember that the signs themselves are not God, they have no power. They are merely indicators that help us to draw close to the mystery. Ultimately an authentic sign will lead us to the child and humble us so that we may prostrate before him and offer him everything that we have. And just as the magi departed for their country by another way, authentic signs will cause conversion in us. Our lives will be forever changed because of them.
They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the housethey saw the child with Mary his mother.They prostrated themselves and did him homage.Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
What are the signs in your life right now of God’s presence? Who or what is he working through to bring you to him? Let them lead you to him, and when you discover him don’t worship the signs, or the stars, but worship the child. Worship the Kings of Kings who has come in our midst. This is why we bow our heads before receiving the Eucharist. It is really and truly him. There may have been many different people and signs that lead you here today, but bow before him, worship him and give all of your gifts to him, give your whole life to him today and go another way when you leave here.
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