Matthew 2:1-12

Gospel according to Matthew 2:1-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the Prophet; “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd of my people Israel.” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Reflections

The Prophet Micah (5:1-4) was a contemporary of the Prophets Isaiah, Amos, and Hosea. He prophesied between 737 to 696 BC in Moresheth, the south of Judea. He predicted the birth of Jesus 700 years before it happened. The Prophet Jeremiah recognized Micah as a the one who foretold the downfall of Jerusalem because of corruption and the birth of Jesus:

“Marshal your troops now, city of troops,

For a siege is laid against us.

They will strike Israel’s ruler

On the cheek with a rod.

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

Though you are small among the clans of Judah,

Out of you will come for me

One who will be ruler over Israel,

Who origins are from the old,

From ancient times.”

Therefore, Israel will be abandoned

Until the time when she who is in labor bears a son,

And the rest of his brothers return

To join the Israelites.”

He will stand and shepherd his flock

In the strength of the LORD,

In the majesty of the name of the

LORD his GOD.

And they will live securely, for then

His greatness

Will reach to the ends of the earth.”

Isaiah (53:1-12) specified that the coming Messiah will be a “suffering servant” who through his death and resurrection will fulfill the prophecies. These were the texts available to the wise men, and hidden from the eyes of Herod, the king of Israel.

The wise men, three rich rulers and scientists at the time of Jesus’s birth, observed the movement of planets in constellations and were familiar with the scriptures as they carried their carefully chosen presents: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Traditionally, gold was a present for kings. Frankincense was burned for purification in the temple. Myrrh was used to embalm bodies. The three presents honored Jesus as king, high priest and foretold his passion.

According to tradition, Melchior from Persia, Caspar from India, and Balthazar from Arabia, all observed the same star, which was the brightest on the horizon, moving from the east toward Jerusalem and leading them further south, to Bethlehem. They set out from their countries, following the star, which heralded the birth of a new king, not knowing exactly where their path would lead. The caravans met at King Herod’s palace in Jerusalem, where they inquired about the new baby boy.

To their surprise, King Herod was more perplexed than they were. Not only that there was no new baby born in his household, but he knew nothing of any new king who was supposed to be born in his kingdom…And Herod and all of Jerusalem with him were seized with fear. For Herod was a puppet king who was appointed to power by the Romans. While he was economically savvy, architecturally improved the city of Jerusalem, and promoted the Jewish religion to be practiced even under Roman rule, his corrupt ways and tyrannical nature is illuminated by this Bible text. Herod secretly met with the wise men to find out more about what they knew from the old prophecies. He let them pass to Bethlehem, on the condition that they return and promptly inform him of the whereabouts of this child. “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”

Following the movement of the star overhead, the magi continued on their journey south of Jerusalem, to Bethlehem. There they found the baby Jesus, laid in a humble manger, tended devotedly by Mary and Joseph, and worshipped by shepherds. They prostrated themselves in front of the newborn and presented their gifts to him. They were overjoyed at the sight. Their long journey had been rewarded by success. Their hope has been fulfilled. Their objective was accomplished. Their purpose was fulfilled.

They were warned in a dream not to return to Herod because he was plotting to kill the child. Therefore, they parted, and all returned on a different route to their home countries, having said nothing to Herod.

Today’s reading tells us about hope fulfilled and hope lived; hope that is not based on an illusion and mirage, but on reason and facts. The wise men invested into a huge journey of a lifetime to find a newborn child somewhere in Judea. They were led by a star, moving from east toward the west, and then further south. They traversed several hills and valleys, faced an untold number of dangers and obstacles, until they reached their destination.

Despite the difficulties, the rich scientists were not deterred. They carried their carefully wrapped presents from their home countries through unlikely places and far away lands, until they unpacked them and unwrapped them as an offering to a child born in Bethlehem. What a scene this must have been! The magi recognized that this child was a king, the King of kings, who was worthy of all their affection and admiration. Their eyes could see with the eyes of wisdom and faith, trusting the old promises and prophecies.

And us? Do we have the perseverance to pursue the star that beckons us to follow? And how do we know which star to choose? The brightest, the closest, the one that stands in relation to our lives and moves us, with our heart and reason to pursue. --The one that stands for values that call all humanity to advance toward peace, tolerance, kindness, mercy, and generosity in our own surroundings.

Come, let us journey with the wise men to Bethlehem!