March 14, 2022

“He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:11-12)

I wonder if God’s conversation with Abraham recounted in this passage is the derivation of wishing upon a star? The Disney version is “When you wish upon a star / makes no difference who you are / anything your heart desires / will come to you.” One wonders how such nonsense could so deeply permeate the American psyche.

Biblically, however, it has an even more far-fetched precedent. Abram, the childless old man, will have a child at 100 years old and his descendants will outnumber the stars. And we, just by believing (a kind of wishing, isn’t it?) will be given absolution, total immunity, and a can’t believe it till you see it kind of eternal life.

“O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Second Sunday of Lent – BCP)