Follow the Star!

Following the Star!

The Visit of the Magi

2?In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem, 2?asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east[b] and have come to pay him homage.” 3?When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him, 4?and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah[c] was to be born. 5?They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet:

6?‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

????are by no means least among the rulers of Judah,

for from you shall come a ruler

????who is to shepherd[d] my people Israel.’ ”

7?Then Herod secretly called for the magi[e] and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8?Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9?When they had heard the king, they set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen in the east,[f] until it stopped over the place where the child was.

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Dorothy Soetile reminds us that following the Star is a lifelong pursuit:

"The frightened shepherds become God's messengers. They organize, make haste, find others and speak with them. Do we not all want to become shepherds and catch sight of the angels??I think so. ...Because the angels sing, the shepherds rise, leave their fears behind, and set out for Bethlehem, wherever it is situated these days.

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On the night of the birth of Jesus, there were three Wise Men, three Kings, powerful men, all they had to do was wiggle their little fingers, and all would be given to them.?

When they approached Jesus each offered a gift and walked away empty-handed.

They were the first to acknowledge our call to leave our fears behind and set out for Bethlehem, wherever it is situated these days.

Fr. Louie Vitale, from a wealthy family, a bomber pilot in the Second World War, followed the Star, leading him to his Bethlehem, turning his life upside down and leading him to the priesthood of working with the homeless and a non-violent advocate; The Reverend Glenda Hope, following followed the Star to Bethlehem was ordained the first woman in the Presbyterian Church in San Francisco, spending her life working with the homeless.

Rio following the Star encountered Bethlehem in his call to ordination, the Star which led him through rejection and abandonment and brought him out of prostitution, to ministry with the homeless youth in San Francisco.

Following the Star to Bethlehem does not make life easier, but centers us in Christ, allowing us to see the Reign of God where all will be healed!

All three have seen the "Slaughtering of the Innocents" on the streets of San Francisco spending their lives in service. The "Slaughtering of Innocents" continue on the streets of San Francisco, and throughout our nation and the world!

So Happy New Year! My NewYears Resolution is to continue to follow the Star which I found in Bethlem on the streets of San Francisco and to follow these concluding words:

Hildegard Von Bingen

"As the light begins to return in this circle of the seasons, we have spent some necessary time in quiet contemplation, not the simple vows of silence that are part of our normal waking and working hours, but the solitary contemplation that comes without distractions.

My thoughts have often considered the many trappings and traditions of our church that rule the day-to-day moments of our lives. I imagine most religions have these and I question their relevance and purpose except to control the lives of the participants in some way. More and more I feel the need to ignore all the little “do” and “do nots” preached with the fiery threats of some hellish afterlife if we do not comply. The important basics only remain, to treat all of creation with respect, compassion, and above all, love. God is love. God loves all. We are asked to love all as well."

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Fr. River Damien Sims, sfw. D.Min, D.S.T.

P.O. Box 642656

San Francisco, CA 94164

www.temenos.org

415-305-2124

We are beggars! All gifts are tax-deductible in 2022!