Feast of the Epiphany, year “c”

1. If you go up to the Penetang area in the Georgian Bay, you will pass a village called Caragouha. Here in 1615, on a rough altar, the first Mass was celebrated in Ontario. In that same year, far away in Spain, Miguel de Cervantes wrote the famous story of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. We know it as the famous opera: Man of La Mancha. And the most famous song in that opera is To dream the impossible dream -
to follow the STAR
no matter how hopeless, no matter how far.

Our Wise Men in the Gospel today did precisely that. They followed the Star, not knowing where it was going, not knowing what would be the end result. So much can be said about this beautiful feast - but I would like to limit it to three thoughts:
1. The Light of the Star
2. The courage to follow
3. The Joy that follows.

2. Whenever we speak about Stars, we think of Hollywood. A few months ago, the talk of the town was Ben Affleck and J-Lo. But these stars are here today and gone tomorrow. Some years ago it was Marilyn Monroe and James Dean, Errol Flynn and Natalie Wood. All of whom had tragic lifestyles or tragic endings. They paid for their stardom sometimes with their soul, sometimes with their body.

2b The Stars that endure a tough time however, are the ones who challenge us to live a richer and more meaningful life. They are not so glamourous, they are quite ordinary, but they make us want to REACH FOR THE STARS.
their lives are worthwhile and can be imitated
their lives show greatness is within our reach.
their lives go beyond the rich houses and swimming pools, exotic drinks and fairy tale journeys.
These are people like Mother Teresa who was beatified on the 20 October last year, our own Canadian Jean Vanier. For me they are my parents, my mother whose faith and hope are a constant example of reaching for the Stars.
They taught me my faith,
they taught me right from wrong
they taught me confidence and to believe that I could do things... great things.

2c These are the stars that gave us light - as our First reading tells us,
a light has come to you
the glory of God has shown upon you.
This star brings a Blessing. This star creates something new. This star bring joy and life.

3. But we need the courage to follow this star. We do not think we are able because of the difficulties and problems we have:
how can I follow the Star when I am bedridden, old, in prison
how can I follow the Star when I can barely get my children to church
how can I follow the star when I am out of a job, no money for rent.
Following the star does not mean success according to the World Standards.  Jesus who was the Star of David - ended up being nailed to the Cross, ended his life like a common criminal.

3a The Keys of the Kingdom was a bestselling novel by A.J. Cronin. There is a young doctor who simply cannot believe in God. He is sensitive, compassionate and he goes to China to help the victims of famine and plague. Eventually, the doctor himself is a victim of the plague. On his deathbed, he still remains an unbeliever.  Funny, he says to his priest friend, I still cannot believe in God. And the priest answers, "that really does not matter now. God believes in you."

4. It is precisely that conviction that makes us want to follow the Star like the Wise men did. They lost sight of the Star, because they did not keep their eyes in the heaven. They looked down to the earth and were distracted with the trivial blinking lights of the palace of Herod. We too are called for higher things, and we get caught up in : Drinks, drugs, pornography, - and other things which are part of the fast lane in life.

And then the Wise Men decided to look once again up in the Heavens and they saw the Star which filled them with great joy. It is time to lift up our eyes away from things that draw us to earth, to look up for the Star which brings us great joy. As a wise woman once said, "Happy is the person who can dream dreams, but blessed  is that person who is willing to pay the price to make those Dreams become real." You and I have been called to Dream the Impossible Dream... to follow that Star no matter, how hopeless and no matter how far.

4b In the same book, Keys of Kingdom, Fr. Chisholm is talking to a farmer, who has lost everything because of the floods. I guess he tells the priest we have to start from the beginning. But  to start again when everything is lost -  that is precisely what it means to follow the Star from Bethlehem.
We are called   be among the stars - a source of light and joy to all. I thank God for people like you
You are the people of the Epiphany
You are the people of whom Isaiah says in the first reading: “On you a light has come. The glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”
You are the seekers of the truth. You will not accept the Herodian lies
you seek the star - and you are willing like the wise men to come another way. Not the way to Herod.
You are willing as the Acts of the Apostles say: - to dream dreams and see visions