The Magi add an exotic flair to the Christmas season. St. Matthew does not name them. Tradition however has assigned them names: Gasper, Melchior, and Balthasar. We believe them to be three because the Gospel mentions three gifts. But one writer contends that there were four Magi but Our Lady did not allow him to enter the house since he was bringing in a fruit cake! We can also be sure they were men, since stopped to ask for directions! In any case, we believe that they were very likely learned Persians, proficient in the sciences and paranormal arts. Called “magush” from which come the words, Magi, and magician, they must have made a great splash in sleepy Galilee, since they were the epitome of paganism and would have been looked upon with suspicion. But they represent the Gentile world—reminding us that Christ came to redeem all people. St. Paul rejoices in this fact in today’s epistle!
Today we could focus on the significance of the star which guided the Magi or the gifts they presented. But we find three reactions in the people in this Gospel event.
The first is that of Herod. He reacts with resistance and hostility because the birth of Christ is a threat to his power—so hostile that he ordered the massacre of the innocents. No one here is hostile to Christ but we can at times be resistant to what Christ wants of us, to what discipleship demands of us. Don’t we often prefer to go our own way? How grateful we should be to have the Sacrament of Penance to set us right again!
The second reaction is in the chief priests and scribes. They were experts and understood the scriptures and prophecies and were able to give Herod an answer. Isn’t it strange that they pointed the Magi in the right direction but did not go themselves? They see the hopes and dreams of God’s people being fulfilled and yet they stayed at home—uninterested, making not the slightest move!
What of us? We come to Mass. We hear God’s Word. We receive the Holy Eucharist, but are we moved at all? We can be “low energy” about our faith but “high energy” about other pursuits! How ironic that the reaction of those steeped in the faith of Israel is to remain home while the reaction of the pagans—those we least expect—the Magi is to go forward to encounter the Lord.
They are attentive, following the star and its movements. Not everyone did. They are patient and persevering despite many obstacles on their journey. They are generous and reverent. When they enter the house, they prostrated themselves and worshipped the Lord and offered their gifts. Our life of faith should be characterized by attentiveness, patience, perseverance, generosity, and reverence.
We can truly call the Magi wise men, because they are great teachers and models. Christ entered the world; he desires to break into our lives in his word and sacrament. What is my reaction?
