Friday, March 29, AD 2024 6:40am

The Call of Matthew and the Search of the Wise Men

 

During Advent I find my thoughts turning to the call of Saint Matthew.  Perhaps the most unlikely of the disciples, Matthew was a member of a hated profession.  Adding to the normal antipathy most people feel for tax collectors, was the fact that Matthew would have been an employee of a Roman corporation that had paid the Roman state for the privilege of collecting the taxes in a geographic area.  The Roman corporation made its money by grinding as much in the way of taxes as they could from the local residents.  Thus Matthew in the eyes of most Jews was a traitor working for pagan thieves.  Yet Christ called him, and Matthew answered.  I flatter myself to think that I would do the same if Christ suddenly appeared at the Law Mines and said my services were needed.  But would I?  The World with its cares and responsibilities digs its hooks into each of us and it is hard to turn your back on it, especially when you have family to support.  Yet, that is what the Apostles did, and they did so joyously.

That joy rings through Matthew’s Gospel with its nativity account:

 

[1] When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. [2] Saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to adore him. [3] And king Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. [4] And assembling together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born. [5] But they said to him: In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the prophet:

[6] And thou Bethlehem the land of Juda art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel. [7] Then Herod, privately calling the wise men, learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them; [8] And sending them into Bethlehem, said: Go and diligently inquire after the child, and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I also may come to adore him. [9] Who having heard the king, went their way; and behold the star which they had seen in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the child was. [10] And seeing the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

[11] And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him; and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh. [12] And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country.

Matthew: 2: 1-12

 

The wise men may have been priests of Nabatea in Arabia.  The Nabateans had long taken an interest in Jewish affairs, and they were the Mediterranean exit point of the incense trade, on which frankincense and myrrh were hot commodities.  Observing the night skies was a preoccupation of many learned men in antiquity, and the appearance of a new star over Judea would have attracted attention.  Some of us are directly called by Jesus and more of us seek Him out like the wise men, but Advent is a time of joy for all of us.

 

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Steve Phoenix
Steve Phoenix
Wednesday, December 14, AD 2022 7:20am

I don’t know if anyone has seen “The Chosen,” the crowd-sourced rather amazing re-enactment of the Life of Christ by producer Dallas Jenkins, but the portrayal of Matthew/Levi (actor Paras Patel), a strikingly unique, believable, a bit quirky, but memorable rendition of the apostle, makes the contradictory image of a Hebrew “sell-out”collecting for Caesar into a sympathetic and engaging person.

Lori B
Lori B
Wednesday, December 14, AD 2022 9:53am

Steve – I love The Chosen and yes, Matthew is my favorite. I am in IT and can easily identify with Patel’s awkward portrayal of Matthew. I live very close to where they film and am waiting to see if they have a call for lots of extras anytime soon.

Steve Phoenix
Steve Phoenix
Wednesday, December 14, AD 2022 12:19pm

@ Lori B: 👍

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Thursday, December 15, AD 2022 12:21am

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