The Star Within: A Journey to Deep Encounter
“For the Souls in Purgatory – Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord”
Matthew 2:1–12
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the manifestation of the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they 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. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.
Grace Prayed For
The Grace of Diligent Seeking: Pray for the persistence to follow the “stars” of grace in your daily life, and for the courage to offer the Lord your most precious treasures—your time, your will, and your love—so that you may return to the world transformed for His mission.
Reflection
Intimacy with Jesus often begins with a “star”—a small, persistent light in the darkness of our busy lives that whispers of something greater. The Magi did not find the Lord by standing still; they searched “diligently.” To prepare the way for the Lord in your own heart is to be like these travelers: willing to leave the familiar behind to find the Source of all love. When they finally entered the house, they didn’t just see a child; they recognized the Divine. They fell to their knees. Real intimacy is found in that moment of prostration, where we drop our defenses and let the King of Kings gaze back at us.
Your baptismal mission is hidden in their “return by another way.” Once you have truly encountered Jesus—once you have opened the treasures of your heart to Him—you cannot go back to the old “Herods” of your life: the old fears, the old selfishness, or the old paths. You are changed. To give witness to His coming is to walk that “other way” so joyfully that everyone you encounter notices the light of the star still reflecting in your eyes. You become the new star for others, guiding them not to a place, but to a Person who is Love itself.
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Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post