Spiritual Reflection, January 2023

Guided by a Star

In many Western Christian traditions, with early January comes the celebration of the “Epiphany,” the homage given to Jesus by the magi, wise-men, or astrologers from the East (Matthew 2:1-12). In Eastern Christianity this feast is united to Christmas, also often celebrated in early January. It is a Christian tradition and, in a way, a “Gentile-oriented” one, since this event has been interpreted by the Church Fathers as the “manifestation-revelation” (epiphaneia) to the Nations of Jesus as Messiah. The magi have often been depicted as three men representing three main regions of the Gentile world.

However, it is also a very “Jewish-centered” moment. The opening of the Revelation to the Gentiles happens through their coming to Zion. The magi find the newborn King of the Jews by going to Jerusalem and receiving wisdom from the chief priests’ and the scribes’ interpretation of Scripture (Matthew 2:4-6). The Catechism of the Catholic Church comments: “Their coming means that pagans can discover Jesus and worship him as Son of God and Savior of the world only by turning towards the Jews” (§ 258).

However, all, Jews and Gentiles alike, can gain insight by seeing how the magi are guided by the star. A star is seen almost only in the dark. The star also seems to disappear, only to reappear for the final leg of the journey to Bethlehem. Likewise, the “stars” that God gives us to guide us, people, events, intuitions, and dreams (Matthew 2:12), are sometimes better perceived in moments of darkness. Spiritually speaking, we are often called to walk “at night.” And so often, when we no longer “see,” we need to continue on our path—helped by Scripture—trusting that we will understand that we are on the right way through the moments of joy we receive (Matthew 2:10).

Etienne Vetö is a Roman Catholic Priest of the Chemin Neuf Community. He is Professor of Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University (Rome, Italy) and Director of the “Cardinal Bea Centre for Judaic Studies” of the same University.