Pursuing our Star to find Jesus

HOMILY: Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

Matthew 2:1-12

2 January 2022 

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

“The year 2021 was one for the books. What will 2022 bring? No matter what, remember: You are made of star stuff. Sparkly, glorious star stuff.” This was NASA’s New Year greeting on Instagram. They posted this along with an astounding image of a star cluster. Cute, right? But what does it mean? Can being sparkly and glorious help us face the challenges of the new year? 

In today’s gospel, we read about “star stuff”. St Matthew gives us the story of the visit of the Magi to the new-born Saviour. In the Gospel, we are told that “these wise men from the East” relentlessly followed the light of a star in their search of the infant king. First of all, who were these Magi, sometimes referred to as kings? Most scholars agree that in ancient times, in what is known to us as the Middle East, the Magi — from which come the words “magician” and “magic”— were astrologers. Some say they were Babylonian astrologers, Arabian magicians or simply adventure-seekers. They were men who studied the skies, and found meaning in the movement of the stars and the planets. Since they were known to be wise men, they were quite influential and would have been very wealthy.  They were respected in all levels of society and held sway in determining the courses of action in people’s lives. 

In their endeavour, to pay great attention to the marvels of the universe and reading the sign in the heavens, they found something of interest that pointed to a momentous event in history — the birth of a great ruler for the Jews. They set out on a journey despite the lack of certitude. You could imagine how the other astrologers reacted to this seemingly foolish endeavour.  Come to think of it, why would you leave everything within your comfort zone —- where you are safe, well- provided for, well-known and respected by people?  It’s not like they were given the exact address or the name of the person they were looking for. Today, anyone who has tried to locate an old friend or a missing relative would know, it’s not easy to track down someone who has a very small digital footprint —- meaning little to zero updated information on the internet. Could you really imagine leaving your home to track someone based on a star map, believing it will be “over the place” one is looking for? A commentary noted that “you could travel several hundred miles and the star could still be “over” you.” Can’t blame anyone who would eventually find the whole endeavour as a complete waste of time and just give up. And don’t get me started on the possible problems of travelling by night (how else would they see the stars?), encountering cloudy skies, stormy dessert conditions and possibly even the threat of robbers lurking on the path? It must have been a complete nightmare for them! Sa totoo lang, naisusulat na tatlo ang nakarating sa kinaroroonan ni Kristo. Maaaring madami sila sa simula pero sa anumang kadahilanan ay isa isa silang nabawas sa bilang. The three that remained persisted because deep within their hearts they were driven by their desire for something “more” as represented by that star. This star that travelled before them also gave them the courage to leave everything behind, to venture on a long and perilous journey, and to persist through all the hardships they encountered along the way. 

I came across this article on a married couple — Roy and Elna, both teachers who practice their profession in remote jungle schools here in the Philippines. Every day they must face the dangers of hiking through a tough and dangerous dense jungle terrain to reach remote areas where their students are located. The photos posted show they have to practically create their path through steep inclines and slopes which turn very slippery and muddy when it rains. Most recently they have been traversing this path with their 4-month-old baby daughter because no one else would care for her while they were working.  When Roy was asked why, he, a capable teacher who could choose to work in a more comfortable and safer place to work, still opted to risk so much for very little pay, he answered, “’This is where I find peace. This is where God has called us to be…. Anywhere God has called you to be is the safest place.”  It sounds absolutely crazy but they are happy and they find contentment in knowing this is where God intends them to be. Netizens commented that they were profoundly inspiring, selfless, and admirable for living a life of service to mankind. 

For a time I also chose to leave the comfort and security of my decent paying and fulfilling teaching job in Assumption Iloilo to teach in Bukidnon. Nag-volunteer ako for 1 year doon to set up the formal basic education for the Higaonons. It was a challenge and a huge adjustment for me but I can say it was one of the happiest I have ever been! That is in fact, where I discovered God was calling me to the priesthood. My life has been one wild ride ever since. Laging palipat-lipat ng mission center; madalas malayo sa mga kapatid ko, mga pamangkin ko at sa pamilya ko. I’ve been sent to the US, Europe and the UK. I’ve also been sent to South America where I had to learn a new language — Spanish, in order to mingle and communicate to the locals. Hindi madali, lalo na nung naging sakitin si mama at lagi akong nag-aalala kasi ang laki ng gastusin para sa gamot niya na pinagtutulungan naming magkakapatid. Yet, I can say that my life has been truly rewarding. I have met many wonderful people and experienced many miracles and wonders of the Lord because I chose to walk the path presented to me. Bukidnon was my star. It is what led me to Jesus. 

I invite you to look at your life and assess whether you feel this is where God intends you to be.  I have a friend who graduated from a prestigious university and was expected to get a high paying corporate job. As she applied for work, she prayed that God may present her with the option where He wanted her to be. She ended up in government service for over 10 years. While her contemporaries continued to ascend the corporate ladder in private firms, she chose to stop working to personally care for her sick father until he passed away. It was not easy especially since the expenses depleted her savings. But she believed it was where God meant her to be at the time. These days she is working for a small NGO that pays very little and is rather problematic but it is where she believes God intends her to be for now. She believes God wants her to help set things right for the institution. Another friend has been employed in a private company for over 15 years. Every 5 years, she tells herself she is quitting because the work is hard and the pay is below industry standard. Yet she stayed because she trusted it was where God intended her to be. Today she is the COO of the company and she is making changes, where necessary, to uplift the lives of their employees. In another 5 years she will probably wonder if it is time to quit the company but she hopes God will have an answer for her then, as always. 

I read somewhere that the Magi may represent to us today’s travellers restlessly searching for the next big thing, the ultimate experience or the perfect path.  Perhaps there are some of you listening who are faced with a difficult and seemingly foolish choice leading to a great possibility? Maybe some of you are still searching for your star.  At the very least, I can guarantee that your journey is going to be no less treacherous and difficult. There will be sacrifices and challenges that will make you want to give up but know that if you believe that it is where God is leading you or where He intends you to be, then you can trust He will be there for you every step of the way. In this new year, I pray you discover the true desire of your heart. May God reveal to you where He wants you to be at this point in your life. May He give you the strength and the courage to make your tough choice and pursue your star because in the end, trust that it is where you, too, will find Jesus.