Posted on 12/19/2015 8:42:01 AM PST by Salvation
Msgr. Charles Pope
OSV Newsweekly
Question: I was reading a Catholic commentary on Scripture by a priest who maintains that the star that guided the Magi was not a star at all but some sort of moving ball of gas in the atmosphere. Is this Catholic teaching? I have never heard this.— Brad C. , St. Louis
Answer: You were probably reading the commentary by Father Cornelius á Lapide who speculates the star was not really a star but was formed of condensed air and dust, with brightness infused into it and moved by the angels as a guide for the Magi. This is not Catholic teaching, just the opinion and speculation of an exegete.
My own thought of this view is that it reads too much into the text. It is true that the star is said to “move,” but there is no mention of its makeup at all. It is called a star and thus there is no reason to doubt this.
Scripture seems more interested in mentioning the star as the fulfillment of prophecy (Nm 24:17) than describing it in detail. The fact is, the star seen by the Magi is mysterious. It was something they clearly saw and that guided them. There is a place to simply accept that mystery and admire it rather than try to “solve” it with theories.
17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not nigh: a star shall come forth out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab, and break down all the sons of Sheth.
Monsignor Pope Ping for OSV column.
If you accept the text of Matthew’s Gospel as a definitive, true narration of the Magi, a few things are clear. For one thing, the “star” isn’t any kind of unusual phenomenon like a comet or supernova, or a mysterious ball of gas in the atmosphere. It had to be some kind of celestial event or events that was visible to anyone, but was subject to an interpretation by someone with the wisdom to understand what he was looking at. In Matthew, 2:7, Herod had to ask the Magi when the “star” had appeared in the sky. If it had been something extraordinary like a comet or supernova, he wouldn’t have needed to ask this because he would have been able to see it himself.
All His stars move, according to our perspective of them.
It is why His Heavens declare His Glory- and His Plan as a witness above His earth. A witness for those who believe and against those who don’t.
If people studied His Creation, in light of His Word, what today might be called mysteries, would be revealed-
Like His birth sign, which is noted in Scripture. And where that sign is has moved to in His Sky shows an age change has occurred. And where it was when He was born. And what that tells us.
His Sky declares an age change occurred. The new and old testament are written in His sky.
And in time, another age change will occur. And each age change can be seen to be set at His Feasts- spring and fall. Right above Israel’s head.
Too many people spend time looking down at their smartphones and not up, at what He created for ‘signs, appointed times, days and years. (Gen 1:14)
Lots of wisdom in just knowing where and when to look..
Lots of teachings and traditions of men, to the dismay of many, would be exposed as inherited lies, in where there is no profit.,(Jeremiah 16:19)
Where is Carl Sagan when you need him? :o)
The Magi came all the way from Babylon to Bethlehem, and it wasn't on the autobahn!
LOL!
There is an excellent documentary I watched on a DVD loaned to me by a priest on this topic, but unfortunately I cannot remember the name of it. The focus of the documentary was showing how the stars and planets had aligned leading up to, and during His birth. Computer models were used to pinpoint exactly where all the celestial bodies, planets, stars, etc. were. It was truly fascinating and showed that yes indeed, there was a star that led the magi to Christ.
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