We Are Stars 我們都是星星

Solemnity of Epiphany, Year A
Theme: We Are Stars 我們都是星星

The Solemnity of Epiphany celebrates God’s revelation of His salvation not only to the Chosen People, but also to all the peoples on earth. It is instructive to see this story being told in the gospel written for Jewish Christians. Orthodox Judaism saw themselves as God’s Chosen People to inherit God’s inheritance. Gentiles were only second class citizens if God ever admitted them into the paradise. However, Christians embrace a more catholic and inclusive perspective. God’s salvation is for all peoples. This theme is clear in the other two Synoptic gospels whose intended audiences were Romans and Gentiles. In contrast, it is impressive to see the gospel for Jewish Christians to play down their nationalistic pride.

Matthew spends the first two chapters of his gospel to prove the Messiahship of Jesus Christ for his Jewish audience. First of all, he constructs a genealogy of Jesus to show that he is the “Son of David”, meeting one of the criteria of being the Messiah. Then he continues to show that the birth of Jesus fulfil five prophecies: namely that the Messiah was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:23) in Bethlehem (2:6). The Messiah was the Son of God and would be called back from Egypt (2:15). Innocent infants would be massacred for His sake (2:18) and the Messiah would be settled in Nazareth (2:23). One might wonder why Matthew does not include the most conspicuous prophecy of all, i.e. the prophecy about the “Star of Bethlehem”. Perhaps that Star prophecy came from Balaam, somebody summoned by Balak, the king of Moab (Numbers 22:4-6) to curse the Israelites. Instead of cursing them, Balaam, who saw that God was protecting the Israelites, blessed them instead. And Balaam prophesized, “I see him, though not now; I observe him, though not near: A star shall advance from Jacob, and a sceptre shall rise from Israel, That will crush the brows of Moab, and the skull of all the Sethites” (24:17). Actually, this prophecy can be interpreted as a continuation of the blessings/prophecies Jacob gave his children before he died. Jacob blessed Judah with these words, “The sceptre shall never depart from Judah, or the mace from between his feet, Until tribute comes to him and he receives the people’s obedience.” (Genesis 49:10) The word “sceptre” appears only twice in the Pentateuch and it is associated with Jacob/Judah. Therefore, Balaam’s prophecy must be pointing towards the Messiah as well. However, Matthew does not include it, probably having Bethlehem was sufficient enough to prove the Messiahship of Jesus.

Nowadays scholars understand the “Magi” mentioned in the Nativity story (Matthew 2:1) as people other than knowledgeable “wise men” or “kings”. Scholars are of the opinion that Magi were astrologists who knew how to interpret astrological events in heavens. Such knowledge gave them power and wealth over the commoners. They believed that the universe is holistic. Obviously what’s happening in heavens would affect our lives on earth and vice versa. Namely, what’s happening on earth would be reflected in heavenly phenomena as well. For example, when a powerful person, say an emperor or a military leader was born, a star would appear in heavens. The fall of such a star indicated the fall of the corresponding person etc. The Jewish culture would regard astrology as witchcrafts and would never tolerate such exotic knowledge. Search the Torah and you’ll discover that the word “star” appears only once in the Numbers text quoted above. Moreover, if the Jews wanted to know God’s will, there were plenty of prophets. Astrology did not have a market in ancient Israel! Had Matthew interpreted the “Star of Bethlehem” as a fulfilment of Balaam’s prophecy about Jacob/Judah’s offspring, Matthew would have been guilty of condoning astrology/witchcraft! Though the Star played a prominent role in the Epiphany narrative, Matthew would not want the audience to think that Christians condoned witchcraft! It’s prudent of Matthew not to quote this questionable prophecy.

Who were able to read the meanings of those astrological signs? Certainly not the Jews. Therefore, though the Star of Bethlehem was seen by all, only the Magi would appreciate its meaning. Had the Magi not sought for the new born king of the Jews in Jerusalem, Herod the Great would not have been aware of an imminent “threat” to his throne and taken action to nip the threat in the bud by ordering the massacre of innocent infants under two in Bethlehem (2:16)! It is not right to blame the Magi for the massacre. The responsibility should be placed squarely at the foot of Herod the Great. It was his choice to reject and neutralize the Messiah while the Magi chose to go through all the hardship in order to pay homage to the new born king of the Jews. Confronted with the birth of Christ, everybody has to make a choice and to act accordingly.

The Star of Bethlehem brought the Magi to Jesus, the great light prophesized by the Prophet, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone” (Isaiah 9:1) Thus, each and every one of us are stars, no matter how tiny and insignificant our lights are. After all, we were created in the image of God and bear His likeness. Though we are harmed by the Original Sin, we are still capable of loving others. There should be a purpose for our charity. Like the Star of Bethlehem, our actions should be guiding people towards Jesus. It is not necessary for us to be as bright as supernovae. We just do our part humbly. “I do not busy myself with great matters, with things too sublime for me. Rather, I have stilled my soul, like a weaned child to its mother, weaned is my soul.” (Psalms 131:1b-2) In fact, even if you shine brightly like supernovae, not all people are able to understand your message. Misunderstanding will arise. Learn from the Nativity story of Matthew. Only the Magi were able to interpret the significance of the Star of Bethlehem. So do people who see our good deeds. Some “may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:16) while most will ignore you or envy you! The Star of Bethlehem was indifferent. So we shouldn’t be bothered by people’s reactions.

Brethren! Instead of cursing darkness, let’s us shine forth our insignificant brightness to light it up. This is the purpose of being alive as images of God. Though very few people or even nobody appreciates our good deeds, keep charity up until the end.
What would happen when those tiny little lights meet the great light in the end? I speculate that they would be “absorbed” into the Great light and shine forth brightly together! God bless!
2022 Reflection
Picture Credit: logos.com