I have always been fascinated with the stars. When I was a child, we often
sat with my parents outside when the evenings were warm enough to be
comfortable. Living on the farm, there were no lights of the city to block
out the light from the heavens. We would sit and search the skies and try
to be the first one that evening to find a star as darkness began to fall.
The times we were fortunate enough to be looking at the right place at the
right time and saw a shooting star, it was the highlight of our evening.
I’m sure I have already shared with you the clear, sharp, still dark,
star-filled early Christmas mornings when my family had been to Midnight
Mass, Mom had made breakfast, and my sister Margie and I walked to the barn
to milk the cows a little early that morning before we finally went to bed.
Every time we took that walk, we would marvel at the stars and tell each
other that we were sure, if we could be quiet enough, we would probably be
able to hear the angels singing in celebration.
I remember another Christmas when I was in great anguish due to
my prodigal Catholic son’s behavior, and asked, “Why, God?” And then was
led to read God’s words to Job: “Can you direct the movement of the
stars—binding the cluster of the Pleiades or loosening the cords of Orion? Can
you direct the sequence of the seasons or guide the Bear with her cubs
across the heavens? Do you know the laws of the universe? Can you use them
to regulate the earth? ~Job 38:31-33
I could only reply as Job did, “I know that my Redeemer liveth.”
From that difficult time on, whenever I am touched by the appearance of a
star in the heavens, it reminds me to trust Him that no matter what trouble
seems to be swirling around me, “It’s ALL good because God is there.”
(Romans 8:28)
I ask you to look out at the evening sky
this month. Two bright planets are slowly moving toward each other and the
moon. Venus is low in the SW sky and Jupiter is just to the right of the
moon. What a beautiful sight to behold just as the holiday season begins.
They are easy to find with the naked eye. When you look at this I hope you
will be moved to remember the Scripture: “The Heavens declare the Glory of
God” (Psalm 19:2)
Let those stars remind us that we do not know the mind of God.
We are not His counselor. Let us with Faith, trust Him in all things. And
then let us pray the words of Psalm 148:1-3: Hallelujah! Praise the LORD
from the heavens; give praise in the heights. Praise him, all you angels;
give praise, all you hosts. Praise him, sun and moon; give praise, all
shining stars.
May we each continue to have the perseverance of St. Monica and the
unconditional love of the father of the Prodigal Son, until the day when we,
too, can say, “Rejoice with me! The prodigal for whom I have prayed has come
home!”
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