With the departure of Amethyst, things began to change. What had started as a simple pastime for the new stars began to deeply trouble them.
T he cold night wind gusted relentlessly through village and woods. The animals took refuge in their dens, the birds in their nests, and townspeople slept soundly by their hearths. But there were some who were unconcerned about warmth or shelter, and quite insensitive to the chill of the night.
Resting motionless on the ground and hidden from sight, some precious stones were looking up at a marvel of creation that was manifesting itself at that moment: the light of the stars.
Citrine raised its eyes to the heavens, and exclaimed to the other gemstones:
“Friends, look how beautifully those stars shine! Every time I gaze at them, I feel irresistibly uplifted and drawn to God.”
“Just to think!” replied Ruby. “They don’t mind the cold, for they are fiery like the sun that warms us!”
“Ah, what joy is theirs! For they have movement, and they shine so brightly above this world!” exclaimed Opal.
“They live in the heavens… while we must spend our days on this altogether ordinary ground,” sighed Diamond.
Once more, it was Citrine that spoke: “Someday we will be like them, close to our Creator!”
“My friends, let us not lose hope!” urged Emerald, “The stars are our close relatives and will certainly welcome us. Let us go! Let us go up to the heavens!”
At these words, Amethyst contested:
“Wait, Emerald! On our own, we will never be able to get there. We need someone to help us! We haven’t the strength to even move, let alone fly beyond the atmosphere… Let us pray to the Angel that governs us.”
No sooner had they started to pray, than the Angel of Created Beauties, strong and shining as the Sun, appeared. Hearing of their desire to inhabit the vast skies, he replied:
“The stars would certainly welcome you! However, be aware that everything is very different there. Therefore, if you ever wish to return to earth, you may do so at will.”
And he began to designate each gemstone’s destination:
“You, Ruby, because you are a reflection of matchless fortitude, your post will be in the Leo constellation.”
“For your generosity, Amethyst, you may take up your post in the constellation of the Southern Cross, which calls to mind God’s infinite bestowal to mankind: His Death on the Cross.”
“Diamond, being so constant and unchanging, you represent true peace; for this reason, you may join the Aquila constellation, there to peacefully contemplate eternity, as the eagle contemplates the sun.”
“You, fair Citrine, for your golden colour, the noblest colour of all, you shall dwell in the Shield constellation, to signify the valour of those who fight for the Faith.”
“Opal, with your joy of many hues, you will adorn the Southern Crown constellation.”
“And you, enchanting Emerald, will better reflect your light among the Three Marys, which serve to identify other constellations.”
Having said these words, the Angel shed his light upon the gemstones. They became brighter, and brighter, and brighter, until, like the morning dew touched by the sun’s blazing rays, they gradually rose from the earth to the sky.
When they finally arrived in the magnificent galactic dwelling-place, the stars made a type of parade, merrily dancing and singing for their new companions. In a mixture of curiosity and sheer joy, they began to ask the newcomers all about life on the Earth. In every constellation, tales were told of the seas and lakes, the snowy mountains and fiery volcanoes. However, what most enchanted them was to hear about the lives of the Saints.
A few days later, an unusual movement in the Southern Cross caught the attention of the celestial assemblies:
“Star-Amethyst has decided to return to Earth,” was the news.
“For what reason?” asked one of the stars.
“Her generosity is very expansive, and the only way it can reach its fullness is through suffering. Here above, she discovered that no one suffers, and so she decided to return the people of Earth.”
After Amethyst’s departure, things slowly began to change.
One morning, the gem-stars set to observing how human lives were unfolding below. This began as a simple pastime for the new stars, but soon began to deeply trouble them:
“Look, my friends,” exclaimed the Opal-star. “In every house there is someone weeping! They have no joy. Our beloved Amethyst is there to help them, but nobody knows how to accept suffering well… I must go down to help all those people.”
“Good gem-star, don’t go without me! Humanity will only have true happiness if it becomes strong to courageously combat evil,” declared Ruby.
A voice coming from the constellation of the Shield then interrupted the dialogue of the joy-star and fortitude-star:
“And who will make it possible for men to live according to what you preach? Without faith, all joy is pointless and all strength is brutish. I feel that there is no place for me here; my heaven is among faithful hearts! I will go along with you.”
Then, the star of peace began to cry:
“Will you all leave me here to live without you? I cannot descend, for earth is not a place of absolute peace. God made the world a place of warfare, and complete peace can only be possessed in Heaven.
“Take heart, my friend. Soon you will have new company, for I too will return to our homeland to visit souls. There, I will strive to fill them with the hope of possessing peace forever,” said Emerald comfortingly.
At that, the beautiful Diamond-peace stopped weeping, and the other star-gems made their descent to earth. Until today, they accompany the star of generosity and pain, which daily visits the hearts of mortals, eager to lead them to the enjoyment of the Kingdom of eternal peace. Let us keep our souls open to the message these wondrous heavenly lights bear! ◊
