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What is the meaning of the coming of the Magi to Bethlehem and what did they understand about the child?

Question

Good evening,

sorry to bother you, but I would like to submit a question that I cannot answer.

During the Epiphany Mass, a priest speaking about the Magi specified that nothing is known about them, not even if they were kings or scholars, it is only known that they went to Bethlehem following the comet to worship the Child.

I am probably a bad Catholic, but I cannot understand the point of this journey and worship if then the Magi did not spread Christianity in their countries.

I thank you and send you my best regards.

Marco

Priest’s answer

Dear Marco,

1. We know some very important things about the Magi.

The first comes from the very word Magi. I emphasize “Magi” and not “Wizards.” (Mago,plr- Maghi, being wizard-s or magician-s in Italian)(t/n).

The word Magi was in use by the Persian language and stood for wise men, philosophers, astronomers, tribal leaders, kings.

2. What did the Magi understand about the child?

We glean this clearly from the question they ask when they arrive in Jerusalem, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage” (Mt 2:3).

Since only God is worshipped, they understood that this child was a king of heavenly origin.

3. They had understood this on the basis of the prophecy of Balaam spoken of in the book of Numbers: “I see him, though not now; I behold him, though not near: A star shall advance from Jacob, and a staff shall rise from Israel” (Nm 24:17).

Since the star is a reality of heaven, they understood that a king of heavenly origin was being born in Israel.

4. This is a further reason for Herod to be troubled. Herod was a foreign king who had bought the kingdom from the emperor. He knew he was not in his place and was highly suspicious.

If he was troubled to hear that he was born the king of the Jews, he was even more troubled to hear that he was born the king of the Jews was of heavenly origin.

5. Not knowing the Scriptures since he was a foreigner, he asked the high priests and scribes if by any chance the Scriptures in which they believed gave any indication of the place of his birth.

These at once answered at a stroke, quoting the prophet Micah: “But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah too small to be among the clans of Judah, From you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; Whose origin is from of old, from ancient times. (Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne, And the rest of his brethren shall return to the children of Israel.) He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD, his God; And they shall remain, for now his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth;” (Mi 5:1-3).

6. Upon receiving the information Herod said to the Magi, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” (Mt 2:8).

He understood well who that child announced by the Magi was: a king of heavenly origin who was born in Israel. Therefore he added, “that I also may come and worship him.”

7. According to tradition, the Magi returned to their country and announced what they had seen and heard.

They would later help the Apostle Thomas when he went to their lands to proclaim the Gospel.

St. Thomas Aquinas, commenting on this passage, writes: “Chrysostom says here that these people, having returned, led a holy life, and then became coadjutors of St. Thomas the Apostle; yet nothing is said of them afterwards, after they had departed, in Holy Scripture.”

8. The significance of the coming of the Magi to Bethlehem is twofold: first, Christ manifests himself as the savior of all, of the chosen people and the pagans, who are represented here by the Magi.

Second, the Magi attest that that child is not just any child, but a king of heavenly origin, God.

Thus Jesus from the beginning is recognized as God made flesh as much by the Magi as by the shepherds who had heard the angel’s announcement, “For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. ” (Lk. 2:11). The term Lord in the Old Testament is exclusive to God.

I wish you well, bless you and remember you in prayer.

Father Angelo