I love the story of the “Three Wise Men” who came “from the east” (see Matthew 2:1-12). Although neither their precise number nor their actual names are mentioned in Matthew’s Gospel, tradition tells us that their names were Balthazar, Caspar and Melchior. It's believed these men were Magi “from the east” who had come from the ancient lands of Media and Persia. Those same territories now include the countries we know as Iran and Iraq.
In their homelands, the Magi were highly regarded priests of the Zoroastrian faith. Although monotheistic, adherents of Zoroastrianism were not Jewish, and therefore they would not have been considered to be members of the “Chosen People of God.” Mary and Joseph, and all those who shared their Jewish faith in those days, would have considered the “Magi” to be “gentiles” and therefore outside of the Covenant that existed between God and the Chosen People. This is precisely what makes their visit to the Baby Jesus in Bethlehem so very significant.
It really does not matter specifically that the “Three Kings” followed a star and ended up at the manger in Bethlehem, but what is profound is that they came “from the east.” It is very significant to us that they were “gentiles” and that they were not Jewish. Their entrance into the Christmas story therefore tells us something very important about who Jesus is for all of humankind. Jesus Christ is Messiah for all people of the entire world; the “Three Wise Men” underscore this reality for us (we who are also “gentiles”) as they went to Bethlehem to “do him homage.” If they were able to do such, then all people from all corners of the earth are invited and encouraged to do the same. All people, from every land and nation, are now included in the family of God–the incarnation of Jesus, the God-made-flesh, opens a path for every single human being on the face of the earth to now be “People of a New Covenant.”
May we be always respectful of our Jewish brothers and sisters, “God's Chosen People,” and may we always be grateful to them for giving us Our Lord and Savior, our Messiah, Jesus Christ! May the story of the “Three Wise Men from the east” never cease to inspire us and remind us that we too are part of the very diverse, and great multi-cultural, multi-lingual, and multi-national family that makes up the very colorful and exciting Kingdom of God on earth!
Praise God! Friar Timothy
It is traditional on this feast day to chalk the numbers, crosses, and letters 20+C+M+B+16 above the entrance doors of homes. These include the initials of the three magi (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar), and/or an abbreviation for words Christus Mansionem Benedicat (May Christ bless this house); the crosses represent the Cross of Jesus, and the numbers at the beginning and end signify the current year.
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