
Written by Vicar Jennifer Schneider
Have you ever stopped to think about how the magi knew they were following the right star? How long of a journey did they need to pack for? Or what exactly would they find when and if they arrived safely to their destination? It was an arduous journey, trekking across harsh terrain, through potentially dangerous territories wrought with wars and bandits.
In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, calling for equality and freedom. It was and continues to be a shining star, a guiding light for millions of Americans who yearn for a better future—liberation from the social norms, institutional biases, and personal beliefs that exploit and marginalize them. Here are a few modern-day examples:
Payday loan businesses target people of color.
Schools depend on local property taxes.
Black and Hispanic men in the United States are more likely to receive longer prison sentences than white men.
Similar to the star words prayer practice we are engaging in during Epiphany, Dr. King’s vision touched people from all walks of life, from famous actors and politicians to scholars and everyday citizens. He and the countless others working to dismantle racism didn’t know the path ahead. But they followed the guiding light —Dr. King’s vision of peace between God and humanity outlined by the Hebrew prophets in the Bible. His vision was a gift to those suffering under discriminatory laws and attitudes.
Pause for a moment and reflect again on your star word. How might it be pointing you in a new direction? In what way does it speak to a situation or circumstance in your life or the world around you? As you go about your daily routines, look for the ways God is revealing or stirring up a word of hope or peace for you or through you. May your star word be a gift to you and those around you!
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