Matthew 2:1-12 - The Epiphany (Sunday Gospel Jan. 5, 2013)

The visit of the magi (the bible does not say whether there were two, or three or more) appears only in Matthew's gospel.  It is not mentioned in Luke's gospel, which has an elaborate account of Jesus' birth; the gospels of Mark and John do not have any account of the birth of Jesus.  Matthew, on the other hand, does not include any mention of the "shepherds," "angels" and "manger"; in Matthew, the magi visited Jesus in a "house."

This means that the visit of the magi has a special meaning in the message that Matthew wishes to proclaim in his gospel.

"The Greek term majos has various meanings: Persian priests, magicians, religious propagandists.  Here it could refer to Babylonian astrologers who may have had some contact with Jewish messianic traditions; nothing indicates that they were kings.  By the 3rd century, the magi were progressively imagined as kings.  Since they had three presents, they were seen to be 3 in number (5th century).  By the 8th century, popular devotion gave them names: Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar."*

But whoever they are, and regardless of their number, the significant thing is that the magi were non-Jews, or pagans.  Here lies the message: it is the pagans who were searching for the Savior.  On the contrary, "all of Jerusalem" together with Herod were "greatly troubled."  This included the "chief priests" and "scribes" who were the educated and knew their bible.  

Matthew's message is a proclamation that God became human to redeem EVERYONE.  No exclusivity, no intolerance, but acceptance that all peoples are made in the image and likeness of God.  

Pope Francis mirrors the message in a recent homily: 

"The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! ‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone! And this Blood makes us children of God of the first class! We are created children in the likeness of God and the Blood of Christ has redeemed us all! And we all have a duty to do good. And this commandment for everyone to do good, I think, is a beautiful path towards peace. If we, each doing our own part, if we do good to others, if we meet there, doing good, and we go slowly, gently, little by little, we will make that culture of encounter: we need that so much. We must meet one another doing good. ‘But I don’t believe, Father, I am an atheist!’ But do good: we will meet one another there.”**

"Epiphany" refers to a "moment of great revelation" as well as "the Christian feast when Jesus is manifested to Gentiles, as represented by the Magi."  This is a great revelation, indeed.

Other trivia:

- King Herod died around 4BC, and since he was the king when Jesus was born then, Jesus's birth is on or before 4BC.

- The star of Bethlehem is likely a literary creation of Matthew.  There is no known record of such a star.  It should also not be confused with the conjunction of Jupiter and staurn (which took place in 7 BC).***

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*Nil Guillemette, SJ, A Kingdom for All (Manila: St. Paul Publications, 1988), 120-121.

**http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/05/22/pope_at_mass:_culture_of_encounter_is_the_foundation_of_peace/en1-694445 
of the Vatican Radio website   

*** Guillemette, 122.