This past Sunday we celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany. For those of us familiar with the story, we may well have listened with expectation as the Gospel story drew to its conclusion. But the fact of the matter is, God is always seeking to draw us to Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ and, for that reason, He offers us many opportunities for “epiphanies” in our own lives – moments imbued with His presence that cause us to look at life people, circumstances, and life events – from a more heavenly perspective. These insights reveal to us that the moments of our lives are “shot through” with the Divine Life and offer us a glimpse, no matter how fleeting, of Trinitarian Love.
Following is a prayer time reflection that I recount in my book, Full of Grace: Women and the Abundant Life. It speaks of a moment in which I perceived the story of the Magi from a uniquely new vantage point. May it offer you moments of prayerful meditation, reflection, light, and joy.
From Full of Grace: Women and the Abundant Life, ©1998, All Rights Reserved.
I recall a prayer meditation from my own life that showed me the value of looking at the events of our lives through the eyes of God -- even those times of trial. Matthew 2:1-11 describes the journey of the magi to the Christ Child. As I reflected upon this passage, in my mind’s eye I could see the magi. They traversed the country, their pace set by the deliberate movement of the camels, their every step illuminated by a brilliant light streaming from the heavens.
In my imagination I could hear them talking excitedly about the marvelous star that rose in the East--a star that obviously signified the birth of a child who would alter world history. "This must be his star, the star of the child whom the Jews expect to be their new king, their Messiah," my imagination heard them say. I could hear these astrologers remarking about the marvelous star, and what a great privilege it was to have discovered it, to travel under its brilliant glow, and to follow it in order to give homage to this new king. "What an honor!" I could almost hear them say.
I followed them in my mind’s eye as they continued their journey. I watched them look up to the sky in disappointment when the star disappeared, forcing them to stop in Jerusalem to consult the Jews as to the whereabouts of the baby king. Imagine their profound elation upon seeing the star when it reappeared, leading them directly to the place where the Christ Child was.
What awe must have filled them when they beheld the Son of God! How their senses must have been overcome by the sight of the Incarnate Word! Did their hearts thrill at His tender smile? Were their souls saturated with peace and joy and hope as they looked at Him? Could they have imagined such a wondrous encounter?
These questions flooded my mind as I allowed my imagination to freely follow the magi to their ultimate destination. As I prayed, I contemplated this story's significance in my own life. Why had the Holy Spirit given me this reading at this time? Again and again my attention was drawn back to the star.
The glorious star was God's own compass, which directed the wise men of the Orient--Gentiles--to the Christ Child. Clearly, they were transformed by the experience, drawn into a life-changing encounter with God’s Only Begotten Son. They risked their own lives to protect this child, returning home by another route instead of reporting back to Herod, as the king had instructed.
As I continued to pray, I considered the "stars" in my own life: the people and circumstances God used to lead me to Jesus. Certainly my parents, who raised me in a Catholic home, were recognizable "stars" in my journey to Christ. So, too, my Catholic education imparted to me by the Vincentian Sisters of Charity and the Dominican Sisters. Continued study of the Faith shone as an illuminating force which drew me closer still to the heart of God.
My husband, who loved me so completely, and our children, the fruit of our marriage, have been radiant stars lighting my way. Good and holy friends whose support and own love of God are lights themselves were obvious stars, brilliant and lasting.
Still other stars quickly appeared. These stars were so glorious their golden rays all but blinded the eye. The sacraments glistened like diamonds in a velvet black sky. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass shone with the brilliance of the noonday sun. Eucharist and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament radiated with a splendor too effulgent to be viewed by the naked eye. And private prayer, that personal holy time of conversing with God, was a steady and faithful light illuminating the way to Jesus Christ.
Then I noticed other stars, too . . . stars that appeared murky and dull, their radiance shrouded by thick, dense fog. Dark clouds obscured their light, and the roadway below them was shadowed and veiled. "What were these 'stars' in my life?" I wondered.
Almost immediately, the clouds broke and the fog dissipated to reveal the unique grandeur of these stars. These stars represented the difficult moments in my life--the trials and tribulations, the times of intense sorrow and pain, torment and disappointment, misunderstanding and hurt. These were the circumstances and events I always categorized as "purification" and "testing."
Now, the Holy Spirit was showing me that these were moments of great blessing and light, moments filled with heavenly illumination. For these were the moments when I was most dependent upon God, seeking for His guidance and direction. These were the moments when angels ministered to me and saints interceded for me. These were the moments when Jesus lovingly carried me from minute to minute in capable and loving arms. These were the moments when, though I felt bereft of His presence, I was closest to His Most Sacred Heart. Indeed, these were the moments when glorious streams from heaven above broke through the darkness of my consciousness with the light of God's love.
Suddenly, these stars appeared more brilliant than all the rest, for in these moments the fruitful light of every other "star" in my life lent its radiance to lead me more deeply into the Divine Life itself.
Throughout the course of life, all of us have experienced many "stars"--people, circumstances, events and situations--that have led us closer to Christ. Some of these glow with heavenly illumination. Others are covered by the dark veil of tribulation. Yet, in the midst of it all, Jesus has been with us, calling us to Himself, waiting to lead us more deeply into the Trinitarian Life. Each circumstance, every situation is a star that has a brilliant light calling us to the Christ Child.
Even as we consider this, it is certain that our futures hold still more stars whose brilliance we have yet to experience, stars whose radiance will light our path as we journey to the One Who is all Truth, our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us ask God to give us vision to recognize our "stars," grace to accept them, and true praise and joy as we embrace them, knowing that His divine purpose for us can never be thwarted if our only desire is His Holy Will.
