From today's gospel: "When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage' . . . Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, 'Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.' After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it cam and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of god. frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way."
From De La Salle: "But the Magi then left without concerning themselves any further about King Herod. . . Behold the faith that profoundly filled their spirit and caused them to respond in this way." (Med. 96.2, 96.3)
"They departed for their country by another way." We, like the Magi, know that we see the image and likeness of God, the face of Christ, in the students entrusted to our care. But in many ways, we find ourselves in different times: students missing time due to COVID, some changed student and family attitudes about attendance, difficulties (but great progress made!) in having all students at a CWSP worksite, student stress about returning to in person classes, and students still learning how to be high school students, among other things. In this, I think we are being offered opportunities to find "another way" to touch the hearts and minds of our students. How will we find different, creative, high quality ways to engage and teach our students? What can we learn from the ILT focus on assessments, our accreditation process, or our review of the Lasallian educational mission? Like the Magi, will we find ways to make this journey, and the accomplishments of our students, known?
Live, Jesus, in our hearts!