faith, and with the eyes of faith we see the truth of a new life.
Externals: Outsiders, Otherwise, Nature
“When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King
Herod, behold, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where
is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have
come to do him homage’” (Mt 2:1-2).
“Magi from the east. . . .” This means strangers, outsiders, unknowns.
We know from the plural, Magi, that there were more than one, yet we
don’t know much about the kind of wisdom they believed or pursued.
We can surmise that they studied the heavens, the stars, and that it was
from this exploration of the heavens that they discerned the star that
led them to Jerusalem. We can appreciate that living and learning with
and from others takes us to richer insights and shared perceptions.
Those from outside our culture and society are often seen with
eyes that are scarred or, worse, prejudiced. There is wisdom that is
not Christian, not Western, and not American. What we perceive as
“strange” or “other” need not be feared. And the “strange” is an
invitation to suspend judgment and to consider anew.
Matthew’s intended audience was Jewish, yet he reports that the
first persons to adore Christ were not. The Eucharist itself is “strange.”
Have we forgotten? For many of our Protestant friends and secular
contemporaries who stand outside the Church’s liturgy, the Eucharist
is a scandal and “out there.” Epiphany reminds us that all of us approach
the incarnation from without. The mystery is beyond us.
Note that the Magi were scientists, empiricists who study externals.
Sacramentality means that God speaks not only in the Sacred
Scriptures, his revealed word, but nature, too, is a “book” that can
incite movements of discovery. Scientists never stop wondering. It
is irresponsible to make scientific pronouncements once-and-for-
all, for discovery is a constant process of intellectual and emotional
movement. As strangers, outsiders, sharing together and journeying
together, the Magi exemplify openness to creation, through which
the vast expanse of all external reality evokes a hint, a hint on which
they were willing to stake their journey.
A Moving Sight: Opening to Another World
“We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage” (Mt 2:2).