Let’s add, “Mary, Star of Evangelization” to our Litany of Our Lady!  I love the image of a star leading people to Jesus, just as the star led the Magi to him.  These men were lucky to live under clear desert skies, not spoiled with light pollution.  They had time to study those starts, name many, and create stories around the patterns the stars make in constellations.  The Magi rose to the invitation the stars offered them, and found Jesus. 

Mary’s “star” was the Angel Gabriel who invited her, on God’s behalf, to be the mother of the Messiah.  She recognized God’s call and was brave enough to say “Yes!” to God through the angel, even though that commitment could have brought her death by stoning, the punishment for women who became pregnant out of wedlock. 

That commitment did not lead to an easy life!  On the contrary, Mary first had to suffer the stigma of the pregnancy.  She was lucky to have Joseph, who also responded positively to the “star” of God’s call in a dream.  The couple then braved a hard trip to Bethlehem as her son was about to be born, and his delivery in a stable.  Exile to Egypt followed, and finally about thirty years of life as a village housewife, certainly a hand-to-mouth existence.  Joseph passed away and Jesus moved out to answer God’s call to proclaim God’s message of salvation.  Mary soon followed, along with a group of disciples.  

Mary was certainly a “star” for her son, raising him as any good mother would, teaching, sometimes scolding, but certainly encouraging him to grow in his own vocation.  Finally, that hard moment for all mothers arrived, when she let him go his own way. 

We then see Mary inviting others to Jesus, and challenging Jesus to act.  At the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-12) she gently reminds Jesus that an embarrassing situation has risen, and then asks the servants to do what Jesus tells them.  She has taught her son to be obedient!  

Mary completes her commitment to God at the foot of the cross where Jesus gives John and Mary responsibility for each other.  She takes Jesus’ body in her arms and helps with his burial.  She then waits for God’s next call, this time to welcome her son to his risen life!  After the Ascension, she continues to live with friends as they await God’s next call (Acts 1:12-14).

Part of my present mission is to guide young Jesuits through their college studies as they deepen their vowed commitment to Jesus.  They are not perfect, but nor am I.  We therefore become stars for one another as we mature together.  I also help teach our “pre-novices,” young men who are spending a year with us to see if God is calling them to be Jesuits in Nepal. 

In January I led them into the hills to the north-west of Kathmandu, to our mission at Tipling, a hill village.  Two young Jesuit priests are busy teaching in the government school there, and building up the Catholic community.   The ten youngsters enjoyed the trip, the scenery, and the inspiring service our pastors are giving the people there.  I hope I was a good guide to my group.  But I quickly realized that our real guides were the hospitable people along the trails and in the village.  Their genuine welcome made me feel at home, and encouraged me to help as I could.  They were stars of evangelization for me, as I hope I was for them.

Let’s enjoy letting God guide us through Mary, and be guided through Mary!