Catholics learn a lot about God, Life, and Politics from “The Magi”. That’s why we call them “Wise Men”!
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Question 1: “Who were “The Magi”?
Answer: “They were members of The High Council who chose the Kings of The Parthian Empire. Our word ‘magistrate’ come from The Magi who ruled in Parthia.”
Question 2: “Who were The Parthians? Where did they come from?”
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Answer: “They were descended from The Ten Northern Tribes of Israel. A few million of them were taken from Israel and scattered between Afghanistan and Turkey, beginning in 720 BC. The Ten Northern Tribes then spread from The Philippines to Ireland! Those who remained in what is now Iran, Iraq, Syria, Armenia, and Turkey grew into cities and nations. They came together in The Parthian Empire around 250 BC. They ruled Babylon for the next 500 years.”
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Question 3: “Why does The Bible tell us in Mt. 2:1-12 that ‘King Herod and all of Jerusalem were greatly troubled‘ when The Magi arrived from Parthia?“
Answer: “Before the Romans, Parthia ruled much of Israel! Roman officials in Jerusalem were worried about The Parthians returning. They wanted to be sure Herod would not help them. That’s why ‘everyone was greatly troubled’. Those Magi were not just three men on camels! They may have had a battalion or two of armed troops escorting them and the valuable ‘gold, frankincense, and mhyrr’ they were bringing to The Messiah.”
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Question 4: “How did The Three Wise Men, ‘The Magi’, know that The Birth of The Messiah was coming?”
Answer: “The Babylonians in Parthia knew more about astronomy than anyone! Studying two or three thouand years of written records of planet and star movements told them something very unusual was about to happen.
Jewish people in Babylon told The Magi their Prophets had predicted that God’s Messiah would come to earth.
The Magi connected Jewish Prophecies wtih astronomical facts. Three of them took their gifts and guards and spent a few months going to Jerusalem. There, these important officials were quickly brought to meet with King Herod.”
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Question 5: “What did Herod do?”
Answer: “He had Jewish Scholars tell them where The Prophet Micah, (5:1-2), predicted The Messiah would take Human Form on earth: ‘The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem.’
Today’s Reading from Isaiah 60:1-6 reminds us of another Prophecy about Jesus that came true at Epiphany! “Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.‘“
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Question 6: What did Herod do after that?”
Answer: “Herod told The Perpetual Political Lie! He publicly proclaimed to honor Truth! ‘Go and search diligently for the child and when you have found Him, bring me word, so I, too may go and do Him homage.’ A short time later, he brutally murdered every boy in Bethlehem under the age of two.”
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The “Wise Men”, the Parthian Magistrates, left Catholics that lesson about life and politics. Many minds, families, and nations are controlled by Herods who claim to honor truth while attacking all who believe This Word from He Who Is Truth at every opportunity!
“And I say unto you thou art Peter and on this rock I build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevall against it. I give you the keys to The Kingdom of Heaven.”
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