Journeying with the Magi

The Word Among Us ^ | 12-03 | Louise Perrotta/Dorothy Day Library

[Salvation]

For your information and discussion.

[Salvation]

**The earliest recorded view is from St. Justin Martyr, who insisted—nine times in a treatise he wrote around a.d. 160—that the magi were from Arabia.**

An interesting thought in today's world.

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Epiphany -- January 4, 2004

[ArrogantBustard]

that the magi were from Arabia.

Whether from Arabia or Persia, theirs was a very different culture than that of the followers of Mad Mo.

[HarleyD]

As I was reading Matthew's account in the Bible I noticed soon after the magis presented their gifts Mary and Joseph was told in a dream to go to Egypt. Being poor these gifts most likely financed their trip and help substain them. The gold would get them there and spices and myrth (used to embalm people) would have been highly prized in Egypt where they mummified their dead. This, of course is pure speculation on my part. But it struck me how God provides our needs when He calls us to do His will.

[NYer]

What a wonderful story!! Thank you for posting this story.

We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

Refrain

O star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.

Refrain

Frankincense to offer have I;
Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, voices raising,
Worshipping God on high.

Refrain

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.

Refrain

Glorious now behold Him arise;
King and God and sacrifice;
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Sounds through the earth and skies.

Refrain

[Salvation]

And thanks for the picture and verses!

[Salvation]

Additional legends to go along with your conjectures. It's hard for us to tell what is legend and/or true story.

December 28, 2003, Sunday, Feast of the Holy Family

Legends of the Holy Family in Egypt

The Holy Family’s flight to Egypt and their stay there gave rise to fascinating tales composed centuries later.

It is said that their journey to Egypt was blessed with many miracles – lions and leopards wagging their tails in homage, palm trees bending down to give them fruit.

Legends dating back to the fifth century say that the Holy Family stayed in the city of Matariyah, just northeast of the present-day Cairo. One story says that as a child, Jesus grew balsam trees producing balm that cured almost anything, including snakebite.

Another tradition is that the family passed through a city about 150 miles up the Nile and as they did, the pagan idol statues bowed to them.

A monastery further up the Nile claims to be on the site where the Holy Family lived for six months. One of the apocryphal gospels tells the story that while there, two robbers set upon the Holy Family, but one repented when he saw Mary’s tears.

These turned out to be the same two robbers, goes the legend, who were later crucified with Jesus. The one, who back in Egypt, had been moved by Mary’s tears, ended up to be the “Good Thief” on the cross.

[Salvation]

And some additional thoughts to ponder:

The Holy Family

Jesus was raised in Nazareth, a small hill town up north. Such towns were a kinship network. Most everyone would have been a relative of Jesus. They lived in close proximity and were part of each other’s lives.

When we think of the family of Jesus, we can delete the image of Jesus sitting quietly with Mary while Joseph made chairs in his carpenter shop. The Holy Family lived in close quarters with cousins, in-laws, shirttail relatives of all kinds. There was no getting away from “family.”

Here’s a question: When extended families come together, do most people look forward to it, or do they find it difficult?

That’s not easy to answer. We worry about the relative who is likely to get drunk. We aren’t sure what to do about divorced and re-married members who bring in-laws we don’t know very well. Plus there’s always someone who’s currently on the outs with other family members. It’s quite a mix.

It takes a lot of virtue and patience to be part of such an extended family…a lot of indirect kindness that may or may not have an effect. We do our best and try to be kind, knowing that we can’t single-handedly change things around.

Jesus was part of an extended family no different from mine.

[Salvation]

The Magi

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Epiphany Bump!

[drstevej]

Great picture. I really like it. Who is the artist? Love the way everytrhing in the portrait points to Jesus.

[Salvation]

Don't know the artist. But you might check the Hungarian Gallery. I have found many pictures there before. This one was posted on EWTN.

[drstevej]

I looked on EWTN and didn't see it either. This portrait honors Mary and presents her relationship to her Son in a way I really appreciate. Thanks for posting it. I'd love to get a print for my office.

[drstevej]

I emailed the EWTN webmaster and asked who the artist was. Will let you know what I hear.

[Salvation]

And I emailed my son who had the url for the Hungarian Gallery with wonderful art.

Will let you know what that url is when I get it.

[Salvation]

Epiphany by Giotto

[drstevej]

I like that portrait too. Except I prefer the gold halos not be added. I especially appreciate Joseph's presence noted. I think he often gets overlooked and he was a man of faith and pirty.

Oh, and I almost forgot

GEAUX TIGERS!