tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578980753063154388.post5188033559948934552..comments2024-03-25T17:14:03.066-07:00Comments on The New Theological Movement: The Magi believed in the divinity of Christ, or The Meaning of the Three GiftsFather Ryan Erlenbushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557817305024750902noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578980753063154388.post-60279891313667520372011-01-03T17:45:01.929-08:002011-01-03T17:45:01.929-08:00Fr. Iosephus, if I may expand a bit upon your comm...Fr. Iosephus, if I may expand a bit upon your comments to Solomons:<br /><br />While they probably did cast horoscopes for individuals (most notably kings and other rulers), the astrological symbols used by the Zoroastrian priesthood would have been more concerned with the fates of nations. They (usually) would not have been predicting the future, but analyzing the signs to interpret the present. This use is in keeping with G_D's plans. Genesis 1:14 says, <i>And God said: Let there be lights made in the firmament of heaven, to divide the day and the night, <b>and let them be for signs,</b> and for seasons, and for days and years</i>. Luke 21:25 says <i>And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars;...</i> G_D announces His plans in the Heavens.jim.carrollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01658038083336924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578980753063154388.post-48421314129240956912011-01-03T15:31:47.362-08:002011-01-03T15:31:47.362-08:00Thank you, James! Bernardus, I hope that helps.
...Thank you, James! Bernardus, I hope that helps.<br /><br />Solomons, the Magi certainly were astronomers and probably were Zoroastrian philosophers, who divined wisdom from the stars. It was to these pagan astrologers that the Gospel was preached through the Christmas star. Their former paganism, of course, can never be interpreted as an approbation of or invitation to neo-pagan astrology, which is a grave violation of the First Commandment.<br /><br />Christmas blessings to all!Iosephus Sebastianushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02656087159286666611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578980753063154388.post-34767187365178156892011-01-02T18:33:24.013-08:002011-01-02T18:33:24.013-08:00@Bernardus I think you are looking for the connect...@Bernardus I think you are looking for the connections in the wrong place (in the Magi). The Epiphany is about the mystery that salvation is available to not just the Jews but the Gentiles. In the first reading we see, "Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance.” In the Gospel, we see that the Gentile kings came to worship the Child Jesus, an obvious act of devotion and faith in the True God. This is an indication of the Gentile’s value in the eyes of God. This is in contrast to the Jews who were “greatly troubled” by the arrival of our Lord when they should be rejoicing. Mathew is demonstrating that the Gentiles have received God better than the Jews. Lastly, Paul says it clearly, “It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body.” This is a great and wonderful day for the Church because it celebrates its catholicity! Its universality! This is also why it is called “The Epiphany.” For all peoples (even the principalities and authorities in heaven) have been enlightened through the Church in regards to the salvation of the Gentiles (Eph 3:9-10). A very grand revelation for us non-Jews to celebrate!<br /><br />By the way, I didn’t exactly figure this out on my own. I recently read a book by Scott Hahn that talked about the first 10 verses of Ephesians and their significance, so after praying The Office of Readings and looking at the readings for Mass this morning, everything cohered. I had my own epiphany about The Epiphany this morning! Sadly, before this morning, I had no real idea why today was called the Epiphany…James Zahlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02424492133524217606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578980753063154388.post-46606806362446523322011-01-02T14:43:01.185-08:002011-01-02T14:43:01.185-08:00Perhaps you can help me. I recently heard in a hom...Perhaps you can help me. I recently heard in a homily that many people today say that the Wise Men we practicer of Astrology. This doesn't seem right to me, but I can't put my finger on why. <br /><br />Perhaps Reginaldus or Iosephus have something to say about this?Solomons Chariotshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01111876369725141630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578980753063154388.post-72032793165836197832011-01-02T10:30:50.231-08:002011-01-02T10:30:50.231-08:00Dear Fr. Iosephesus,
After reading some background...Dear Fr. Iosephesus,<br />After reading some background in "Catena Aurea" on the Gospel passage and some thought by Dom Prosper Gueranger, I am a bit confused in connecting the readings Holy Church chooses for this day (Is. 60: 1-6/20, Eph 3:2-3a,5-6, Matt 2:1-12). I can make the connection between Is and Matt, but am left wondering St. Paul's words to the Ephesians. Would he not have known the prophecy of Balaam in Hebrews which many church fathers reference? Thus they qualify the Magi's country of origin and knowledge of the Nativity and they would signify the salvation of the gentiles. Perhaps I am missing something here. I know the sermon I listened to a Mass made no connections.<br />Peace and Blessings to you. I will pray for you, please pray for me.Bernardushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09343171766154713726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578980753063154388.post-12190222759432019892011-01-02T06:58:05.180-08:002011-01-02T06:58:05.180-08:00Iosephus, it's good to have you back posting o...Iosephus, it's good to have you back posting on NTM! Thanks for the quote from the Summa, also I love the picture you chose for the article!Father Ryan Erlenbushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07557817305024750902noreply@blogger.com