Monthly Archives: January 2026

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Seeing the Star, the Light!

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“Seeing the Star, the Light!”

Matthew 2:1-12– January 6, 2026

What do we do when everything is dark? When there is a power outage, and the electricity gets shut off? That happened to us in our Chicago suburb several nights ago, when there were huge wind gusts and intense, high winds most of the overnight hours. What do we do when there is no power, and when our whole lives revolve around electricity?     

This past week in the United States has been head-spinning, from a number of different directions. I am not going to dig down on any one particular horrible happening, but I will concentrate instead primarily on the Scripture lessons for Epiphany, January 6th. We will highlight Matthew 2:1-12, and secondarily also mention Isaiah 60:1-9.

            As the Magi approached Palestine in following the Star of Wonder, they needed more specific guidance. They wanted instructions from a local point of view. Let us see what Matthew has to tell us. “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

            The tyrant Herod, a narcissistic, blood-thirsty despot, was horribly dismayed by these foreign VIPs coming to his court in Jerusalem, out of the blue. They came with legitimate questions, and in the days before GPS and Google Maps, they wanted some direction, a local point of view, a viewpoint on their specific questions.

I think I know the answer already, but do you think King Herod had any interest in following God and God’s guidance – for anything?

            Except, the Hebrew Scriptures were pretty specific about many of God’s prophecies. King Herod calls the priests together and asks – privately – where the Messiah, the King, is to be born. After finding out that the prophesied birthplace was right nearby, in the neighboring town of Bethlehem, Herod sends the Magi there. He tells these minor nobles to find the newborn Baby and then to report back to him. Supposedly because Herod also wanted to “worship” him. Except, I think we all know exactly what Herod wanted to do to the Baby Jesus.

            The star continued to lead the Magi to Jesus. We know today that Jesus is “the light of the world, the revelation of divine love who came to dwell among us.” [1] This light of the world, this divine love is certainly a bright Light that shines in the darkness. Certainly, Jesus is a Light to lighten all peoples. However, the Magi do not know this yet. They are still on their way.

            This reading from Matthew 2 describes the journey of the wise men, the Magi, following the star. What do we use today as we figure out our directions in life? What do we do when we need guidance for our significant life journeys? How do you and I determine which path to take when the way ahead gets foggy or dark or just plain unknown?

            If we turn to our reading from Isaiah 60, we see more about light – the light and the glory of the Lord. “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.”
            As I thought more deeply on these two connected Scripture readings, the idea of Light coming out of the darkness came to me again, strongly. “’Arise, shine’ is not about enjoying light. It is a command to reflect and spread light.” [2] We are invited to consider, to ponder the difference in basking in light and shining out in the darkness. How did the Magi follow their Star, their Light, in a way that was most wonderful to them? How are each of us able to follow the Light and the information we have available to us in order to proceed along the paths that God has for each of us? Even in sheer darkness, when we are dispirited and alone?

            These past weeks have been dark weeks, no matter where people stand on the political spectrum. This is a time to truly seek God’s insight and God’s guidance.

            It does not matter when in history we find ourselves, it does not matter how dark the current times are or how much tumult, horror or disruption is happening, either locally or nationally. In both Isaiah 60 and Matthew 2, we read about a clarion call to follow the Light. Yes, it is a challenge to follow God’s Light through the present darkness! And yes, many other things can distract us and try to pull our attention away from following God’s Light. [3]

            Thank God we have been given the Star of wonder to follow, just like the Magi. Even when the Herods try to distract those who follow, we all can “arise and shine!” We all have the opportunity to shine in the darkness, wherever we are in life.

            Follow the Star. Follow the true Light, Jesus Christ. Be a light in the darkness.

            Alleluia, amen.

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/epiphany-of-the-lord-year-a-lectionary-planning-notes/epiphany-of-the-lord-year-a-youth-lessons

[2] https://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2012/11/year-c-epiphany-january-6-2013.html

[3] https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/epiphany-of-the-lord-year-a-lectionary-planning-notes/epiphany-of-the-lord-year-a-youth-lessons

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Flight into Egypt

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“Flight into Egypt”

Matthew 2:13-23– December 28, 2025

            From time to time, I enjoy listening to radio serials. I suspect you all know the kind I’m thinking of. Old time radio shows like “Those Were the Days” broadcasts feature classic radio shows from the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s. Periodically, I tune in to the show, and sometimes get caught up in an exciting, suspenseful adventure serial. Each installment usually ends with a cliffhanger, and the next installment of the serial begins: “When last we left our story . . . “

            Here, in our lectionary reading from the Gospel of Matthew, we have just such an installment. We come into the story right smack dab in the middle of things, with loose ends left hanging all over the place. It is not a pleasant story. The topic of this sermon is not pleasant, either—I’m telling you right now, up front.

            We are breaking into the Gospel account at one of the really gripping, gut-wrenching parts, but I’d like to zoom in on this particular scene. We look at Joseph, in Bethlehem, with his fiancée Mary and newborn baby Jesus. Joseph gets an emergency communique from an angel, in a dream. The angel says, “Get up, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

What would you do if you had to flee from danger, immediately? Be on the run at very short notice? Can you imagine you and your family traveling on an emergency basis, with the added complication of transporting a very young child?

            It may not be physical harm threatened against you or your family. However, there are many other traumatic or life-shattering things that can up-end our lives. “When you are plunged underwater by news you can scarcely comprehend, let alone respond to, how do you take your next breath? When all your visions of a joyous tomorrow are spoken out of existence by whispered words of tragedy or denial, how do you put one foot in front of another on your way into the void?” [1]

            I cannot even imagine what went through Joseph’s mind at that moment. From all accounts of King Herod and his life and reign, he was a tyrant. Looking at writings from contemporary authors of that period, Herod was cruel and bloodthirsty. He was also two-faced, as we can see from a few verses before our lectionary reading today, from his response to the Magi. He sent the Magi to Bethlehem, and requested that they come back after they find this “King of the Jews,” because Herod wished to “worship” this King as well. I have a pretty good idea of exactly what Herod wished to do to the baby Jesus from what follows.

            The Holy Family fled Bethlehem in a hurry. We know that. They fled across a distance, across boundaries, racial lines and cultural spaces. They encountered ethnic differences and language barriers, too, as they made their flight into Egypt.           

            Father James Martin wrote in a recent social media post, “It’s not surprising that in 1952, Pope Pius XII wrote: “The émigré Holy Family of Nazareth, fleeing into Egypt, is the archetype of every refugee family. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, living in exile in Egypt to escape the fury of an evil king, are, for all times and all places, the models and protectors of every migrant, alien and refugee of whatever kind who, whether compelled by fear of persecution or by want, is forced to leave his native land, his beloved parents and relatives, his close friends, to seek a foreign soil.” [2]

            I live in a suburb of Chicago, with the months-long Operation Midway Blitz occurring right here in Chicago and surrounding area. I have been praying with and for the clergy who go regularly to the federal facility in Broadview, on what has been named Faithful Fridays. I mourn with so many because of the injustice. Yes, I take the words of Jesus in Matthew 25 quite seriously. I regularly consider: what would Jesus do?

            Let us go back to the Holy Family fleeing to Egypt, in fear of King Herod and his military goons. But – I want to check in with you all as I am preaching. I know very well that these issues I am talking about are difficult for many people, traumatic for some, and even so upsetting that certain dear ones cannot even sit here and listen any longer. And – that is absolutely okay, to excuse yourself or leave the room or the sanctuary. Please, take this as an invitation for us all to tend to each other’s well-being.

            As we consider the Holy Family on the run, I would like to remind us all of countless families on the move for all kinds of reasons. Of course, some in danger for their lives! And, some on the move because of catastrophic natural disasters, or wars, or widespread extreme poverty. Sometimes, fleeing your safe, familiar town and place where you grew up is the only painful option left after heart breaking and gut-wrenching trials and traumas.

            I would like to highlight something important from Fr. Martin: “the Greek word that Matthew’s Gospel uses is a key: it’s ‘pheuge,’ to flee, one of the ancient roots of the word “refugee.” When we think of refugees, migrants and internally displaced peoples today, we are invited to remember the Holy Family, the ‘archetype,’ as Pope Pius XII said, of ‘every refugee family.’ And we should treat them accordingly.” [3]

            As we reflect upon the situation of the Holy Family as refugees, in the first century, we need to seriously consider the heartbreaking situations of so many refugees today. We are confronted with the serious question: what does God ask of us? If we look to the Bible, to both the clear commands from Micah 6:8 and from Matthew 25, consider these ringing words of Rev. Sharon Blezzard, Lutheran pastor, It does not matter whether we are considering refugees, strangers, aliens, migrants or immigrants. All are human beings, all created by God.

“We can be God’s presence to others in the midst of their suffering, and we can work to alleviate suffering, injustice, and pain in the world. Encourage [all of us] to find their voice and place of power to make a difference through small steps grounded in faithful community and fervent prayer.” [4]

            May it be so! Alleluia, amen.

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/toda-la-tierra-espera/first-sunday-after-christmas-day-year-a-lectionary-planning-notes/first-sunday-after-christmas-day-year-a-preaching-notes

[2] https://x.com/JamesMartinSJ/status/2005287734017950134

[3] https://x.com/JamesMartinSJ/status/2005287734017950134

[4] https://www.stewardshipoflife.org/2013/12/refugees-all/