“As the Magi from the East followed their star and found Jesus, who filled their hearts with boundless joy, let us too, even in hours of uncertainty, of shadows, of darkness like those the Magi had, not fail to follow that star, the star of our faith.”
--Archbishop Oscar Romero (Epiphany Sunday, January 8, 1978)
Follow the Star
There is a beautiful story, “The Dry Wood” which tells of an old priest who worked for 50 years in a grey London slum. He never really took a vacation and he seldom ever thought of himself. At last, worn out, he died. He was so ‘self-forgetful’, that he didn’t think to shut the doors of heaven behind him, which left a stream of light shining on the earth. Christ, the light of the world, has commissioned us to let our light shine before all peoples, that they may see our good works, and so give glory to the heavenly Father! (Matthew 5:16)
In the town of Coraopolis, PA, there are two one-way streets: 4th Avenue and 5th Avenue. A friend of mine calls 4th Avenue ‘the dark side of town’ as there are relatively few street lights, less shops and restaurants on that street, as compared to 5th Avenue, ‘the light side of town’, which is brightly lit, has a town square with a gazebo, a police station, and is the main business district. It is decorated with all sorts of Christmas decorations. My friend often reminds me that St. Joseph Rectory is located on ‘the dark side’ of 4th Avenue, and the light side—5th Avenue, is where the church building is located. So too, we have a dark side and a light side to our personhood.
According to legend, a star appeared before Moses’ birth and is said to have appeared at Abraham’s birth. As we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, which means “showing forth” a manifestation, a revelation, a self-disclosure, the Wise men were led to the birthplace of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. It was made known to all the nations: God’s dream for each of us that salvation is for the entire world. The scope of His redeeming love is inclusive of all peoples: Jews and Gentiles, Muslims and Buddhists, Protestants and Catholics, Believers and Non-believers. Jesus is not solely the Jewish Messiah; He comes for the entire world. For in Christ, all barriers will fall; no one is excluded. God’s revelation in Jesus Christ endows all peoples as partners with God and co-partners with one another. (Ephesians 3:6) Blessed Pope John Paul II saw in the Magi’s journey in search of a king: “Whatever the age, culture, civilization or nation, people are always searching for God. It is not enough to know Christ, we must bring Him to everyone.”
Every human person is born with a ‘divine call’ that they must answer, a ‘journey’ that they must discover, a ‘star’ that they must seek out, a ‘vision’ that they must follow, and a goal to which they must strive. We never make this ‘spiritual pilgrimage’ alone. This journey begins in our home, with our family, as we discern and make our way toward an ‘unknown future’. In everyone’s path, there are obstacles along the way, ‘detours’, and even ‘dead-ends’ when we must start over again. Sometimes one may be ‘deterred’ or ‘delayed’ or even ‘derailed’ by self-deception. “O Lord, my Father, God of my life, keep me from being arrogant: protect me from evil desires. Keep me from being overcome by greed or lust: do not leave me at the mercy of these shameless passions.” (Sirach 23:4-6) As our lives unfold, there is an inner-play of light and shadows, of good news and bad news, of hope and despair. “As long as you have breath in your body, don’t let anyone lead your life for you.” (Sirach 33:20)
In this “Year of Faith”, with my 25th Silver Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood on the horizon, I’m grateful for all the companions who have accompanied me on this journey; this spiritual voyage, and who have been an example of light and hope to my faith’s quest.
The Dalai Lama once noted that our first lessons in peaceful living come from our mothers, who reveal to us what love is and what love does. I was born the 6th child of 7, to David William Jones and Mary Jane Divita on March 11, 1962. I was baptized by Fr. Ignatius Koller, founding pastor of SS Simon and Jude in Scott Twp., on April 8, 1962. The sponsors were Josephine Ann Divita (Aunt Jo), and Raymond J. Testa, friend of the family. I received my first Holy Communion on May 9, 1970 at SS Simon and Jude Church by Fr. Thomas F. Carey. I received the Sacrament of Confirmation on April 28, 1976 at SS Simon and Jude, by Bishop John Bernard McDowell. I chose the name, “Paul” for my confirmation name because I enjoyed reading the Epistles of St. Paul, and because Paul was my best friend on the hockey team. I was ordained to the Diaconate of the Diocese of Pittsburgh on January 2, 1988 at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland by Bishop John Bernard McDowell. I was ordained a priest on May 21, 1988 by Bishop Donald William Wuerl, 11th Bishop of Pittsburgh at St. Paul Cathedral. I feel blessed by those priests who have walked the ‘faith-journey’ with me. “Fear the Lord with all your heart, and have respect for all His priests. Love your Creator with all your strength and give His ministers all your support. Honor the Lord and respect the priest.” (Sirach 7: 29-31)
St. Francis de Sales, the patron saint of communication said, “You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working, and just so, you learn to love by loving. All those who think to learn in any other way deceive themselves.” A Christian vocation is important to the world. We are called to be ‘light-bearers’ and ‘light-bringers’ to others’ paths. We must be prepared to make serious changes in our hearts, minds, and lives, to stay on the path that leads to true peace, freedom, holiness and Agape love (Godly love). The light that lives within each of us is a light that guides us through the darkest most difficult and dreary hours, where the Light of Christ must continue to shine. The best part of the Magi‘s story is that they found what they were looking for ...and so will all of us. “It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey, that matters in the end.” -Ursula K. Leguintion
