EDUCATED to be WISE

"The pregnancy of a virgin" and "The birth of "the Christ" in Bethlehem, who would save the chosen people" were all foretold by the prophets hundreds of years before it happened. Even Mary heard of it when she was young.

It was a prophecy so great that even non-jews or "gentiles" believed it as well. It was an event that was certain to happen, unfortunately  ordinary people had no way to determine when exactly it would happen.

Some shepherds were fortunate because they heard the news about Christ's birth and got directions directly from an angel in finding Jesus. But for the rest of the ordinary people, they waited passively, hoping that they could live long enough to witness the event. 

Aside from the ordinary people, there were also educated people at that time who studied different disciplines of astronomy, philosophy, medicine, law and even magic or sorcery. 

These people, if they were coming from the East, were called the "magi," because they studied what the ordinary men could not fathom. Believe it or not, this is where the word "magic" comes from. But to call them magicians would be demeaning because they were the best at what they do, so the title "King" ( not referring to royalty) would be more appropriate, after all they were "Kings"in their own right.

But being educated does not necessarily make one wise, so why did Mathew label the latter as "wise men." 

They were wise  because instead of passively waiting for the coming of Jesus Christ, they used their intelligence, education, resources and whatever they had to find Christ. Some of them had to chart the movement of the stars or employed astronomers to locate Christ in Bethlehem. They would have used the GPS if it was available then.

They were wise because even if they were not Jews or part of the so-called "chosen people to be saved", they still paid homage to Jesus Christ our Lord.

They were wise because they likewise prepared gifts for Jesus Christ so that they could perhaps be remembered when they would ask for his help.

What's interesting is the fact that the bible never mentioned that they were limited to three wise men.

As a matter of fact, some of these wise men are still living among us today, inviting us to join them, to use our time, education, intelligence, resources and whatever we have to find Christ and to pay homage to him.

So if ever you happen to be invited to join them, make a wise decision to accept the invitation.

Gospel  Mt. 2: 1-12

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.”
When King Herod heard this,
he was greatly troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him.
Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people,
He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea,
for thus it has been written through the prophet:
And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
since from you shall come a ruler,
who is to shepherd my people Israel.”
Then Herod called the magi secretly
and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.
He sent them to Bethlehem and said,
“Go and search diligently for the child.
When you have found him, bring me word,
that I too may go and do him homage.”
After their audience with the king they set out.
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,
until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
They were overjoyed at seeing the star,
and on entering the house
they saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
Then they opened their treasures
and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
they departed for their country by another way.