Following the Star of Bethlehem

By Scott Ferrier, MJ • Phoenix, AZ

The nativity of Our Lord took place during a period of time in the world in which, aside from a faithful and hopeful remnant in Israel, there was widespread belief in pagan gods, superstition, sorcery, and mystery cults. A spiritual darkness hovered over many lands and nations. But the Magi “had seen His star in the east and had come to adore Him.” 

The charism of Miles Jesu is centered upon the mystery of the Epiphany. “In it we are each called to be a little part of the great Epiphany of the Lord, as a simple witness of His parousia and the world to come…The Magi represent the call of the laity to holiness, to seek God’s face in the world and to manifest Jesus to others” (MJ Const, no. 6).

For much of the Western world today, especially in our own culture, only the shadow and traces of Christianity remain. The scientific faith of the secular world believes that the universe is governed by mechanistic, cosmic forces. Some say this world is “all there is” and act on this with a rather ‘uncertain’ conviction. For many others, this thought brings hopelessness and the loss of meaning, especially in the face of death. But we know with the certitude of revealed faith that He who created all things, visible and invisible, is a personal God who hears every prayer. He holds the whole world and each moment of time in His hands, wherein we shall find our destinies in the blessed life to come. God has placed the spark of eternity inside the heart of every person. In the fullness of time, two thousand years ago, the Child Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem-Judea, to ransom a people captive to sin and darkness and open the gates of the Paradise once lost, to all who would believe in Him. 

The Gospel of Mark tells us early on that the disciples who were following Jesus found Him in a lonely place praying to His Father and they said to Him, “Everyone is searching for you” (Mk 1:38). Like the disciples and the Three Holy Kings, we too should want to exclaim, “We have found the Messiah!”

Our mission as members of Miles Jesu is to help others discover Him, so they may also follow the Star. Come, let us adore Him.