With the approach of the Epiphany (Matthew 2:1-12), we behold quite a scene — one of perceived royalty and the other of unassuming divinity wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. And here, this quote by St. Gonzalga finds its resonance, revealing a profound truth of the Nativity story.
It is better to be a child of God than king of the whole world!
~St. Aloysius Gonzaga
For regardless of worldly stature or knowledge, the maneuvers by peasants and kings alike are guided by the promised birth of a savior. King Herod, was the proclaimed king of the Jews, and yet his Idumean family had been forcibly converted to Judaism. Herod was known to play both the Romans and the Jewish leadership against the other holding no real allegiance other than to money and power.
Thus, when the Magi asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?” that in itself spoke to their recognition of just where legitimate power truly rested, and to whom they wished to pay homage. Couple that with the astronomical occurrence of a star foretold in Numbers 24:17 and promises in Micah 5:2 and Isaiah 7:14 of a child to be born, and Herod had good reason to be concerned. The Magi, perhaps more accurate than the term “wise men,” alludes to their knowledge of the movement of the stars and position as Persian priests somewhere in Babylon or Arabia. Was it mere curiosity that carried them from their lands across the desert or was it more than that? They are aware of the prophesies and scriptures accompanying the signs, so we trust that they have knowledge.
Is theirs a “faith seeking understanding” as St. Anselm proposes? Have they sought God through self-knowledge and now seek God’s revelation of himself trusting that it will be affirmed under the light of the star? Up to this point, as St. Augustine would assert, though full of worldly wisdom they had yet to even understand themselves fully until they came to encounter and know God.
What is intriguing about this consideration, and their inclusion in this story is that the Magi were gentiles. And while the Jewish priests and scribes were well versed in the Scriptures and could inform Herod, they are seemingly disconnected from its fulfillment. The faith of the Jewish leadership appears content in its present knowledge, and either no longer seeking greater understanding or for its fulfillment to occur differently that they had preconceived. Their idea of a messiah was a political leader who world provide transformation in the eyes of the rest of the world not in their own lives.
This is a reoccurring theme in the Gospels and early Church. Though initially beginning with the Jews, time and time again the Good News would also be extended to the Gentiles. Was this a conversion for the Magi? We do not know. Yet these men left behind their lives in pursuit of understanding, and humbly acknowledged the king of kings that day. One can only wonder how their faith journey continued as they returned home.
Prayer for Reflection:
Father, I pray that my spiritual contentment in where I am is not keeping me from seeking to draw closer to You. Let me be unafraid to leave this safe space to journey with You … and to discover the “more” that you are offering. I chose today to seek You … who is forever faithfully seeking me!
