Thanks for watching! Here are the sources for this video: Allison, Jr., Dale C. Studies in Matthew: Interpretation Past and Present. Reprint edition. Baker Academic, 2012, (p. 21). Brown, Raymond E. The Birth of the Messiah. Updated edition. New York: Anchor Bible, 1993, p. 188. Campion, Nicholas. A History of Western Astrology Volume I. Continuum, 2009. Charlesworth, James H., ed. The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha. Volume 1: Apocalyptic Literature and Testaments. First edition. Garden City, New York: Doubleday & Company, 1983, (p. 477). Collins, David. “Scholastics, Stars, and Magi: Albert the Great on Matthew 2.” The Sacred and the Sinister, January 1, 2019, (p. 256). Davis, D Mark. “Matthew 2:1-12.” Interpretation 57, no. 4 (October 2003), p. 421. Harrington, Daniel J., Sacra Pagina: The Gospel of Matthew. Collegeville, Minn: Liturgical Press, 2007 Kotansky, Roy. “The Star of the Magi: Lore and Science in Ancient Zoroastrianism, the Greek Magical Papyri, and St Matthew’s Gospel.” Annali Di Storia Dell’Esegesi 24, no. 2 (July 2007), p. 379. Larcher, OP, R.F. “Thomas Aquinas Commentary on Saint Matthew’s Gospel.” isidore.co/aquinas/SSMatthew.htm#2 (2-2). Pope Benedict XVI. Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives. Image, 2012, p. 92. Pope Francis. “Holy Mass on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord,” January 6, 2022. Simonetti, Manlio, Thomas C. Oden, Christine Caine, and Oden, eds. Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture; Matthew 1-13: Volume 1A. First Edition. Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Academic, 2001, pgs. 20-30. “The ‘Great’ Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn - NASA,” December 15, 2020. www.nasa.gov/solar-system/the-great-conjunction-of-jupiter-and-saturn/. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, I.115.4. Image Sources: Monastery Icons, angelusnews.com, iconsandechoes.com, hallow.com, dialecticspiritualism.com, learnreligions.com, pinterest.com, wikipedia.org, liturgies.net
As a Jew, a spiritual believer, and someone who enjoys learning about religions, I find this extremely fascinating. Thank you for this history! I can't wait to learn more!
Rewatching and had to comment. I love how you’ve tied the two worlds together in a practical, source based and non emotional way! Very thoughtful questions and breakdown of the information, I’m interested in where this goes in further comparisons.
Honestly, this is brilliant. And those who are listening in to this and understanding their history will get it. Thank you for speaking on this and sharing this wisdom. I feel like it’s a reclamation of ASTROLOGY. 🙌🎉
Very well said. I love your perspective on this topic. Thank you for tying the past and present together. And explaining both the good ways to use astrology as well as what to stay away from.
Thank you for this kind comment. We definitely can’t ignore what is dark out there, but we can allow the truth and the goodness found in all spiritual traditions to come to light.
I love this deep dive into this story about the Magi and I super appreciate the different angles you’re taking- for a lay person this is so helpful to hear such an in depth analysis!!
I’m so glad you love it ❤ It’s so important for Catholics to understand the meaning behind the stories we hear, and recognize how ‘cultural commentary’ can often be misguided.
I don’t know much about what you do, but I am following a certain spirit, and I must say that I truly enjoyed your work for its exploration and display of depth, thoughtfulness, and passion. It’s incredibly fascinating. I hope you don’t mind my feedback below, where I reflect on the Magi's gifts as acts of devotion, recognition of divine kingship, holiness, and commitment. The story of the Magi, whether written by Matthew or another inspired writer, speaks to me not in the question of its authorship but in its ability to draw us into the same sacramental reality, a journey of devotion that unites the human and divine, leading us to Christ. Their journey mirrors the path of all true devotion, moving from natural signs to supernatural revelation, from seeking guidance in creation to finding fulfillment in the Creator. Astrology, as you’ve thoughtfully explored, remains prevalent in many cultures where it is practiced with care. For some, it may serve as a necessary starting point. Like the star of Bethlehem, its value lies in pointing beyond itself. The Magi did not remain at the star, they left it behind when they found Christ. True devotion calls us to move beyond speculation and align our hearts with God’s grace, as seen in Mary’s profound "yes" to God’s will and in the transformative power of the sacraments. Through miracles such as Our Lady of Guadalupe, Eucharistic , Mother Teresa’s extraordinary works of mercy, and the Filipino people’s forgiveness of Japan after World War II(No to reparations), we see devotion in action, a transformative power that transcends questions of authorship, intellect, and cultural boundaries. These moments are not rooted in speculative practices but in grace-filled encounters with the living God, made tangible and real. They remind us that devotion is less about seeking understanding through creation itself and more about responding to the Creator with awe, gratitude, and steadfast commitment. Devotion invites us to trustfully open our hearts, following the signs that lead us into the fullness of divine love and grace. So, it makes me wonder, how can one truly cultivate this openness? Is it by letting go of the need to control or fully understand and instead embracing a posture of humility, wonder, and reverence?
Thank you very much for this thoughtful response. I truly appreciate it! I agree with what you say here. Humility, awe and wonder are certainly necessary ingredients when approaching God, and the Magi, for their part- displayed all of these. *Anything* when used to attempt to control or manipulate, can be sinful. It would appear that scripture scholars and systematic theologians alike agree that the Magi are examples of this devotion. However, the question is, can we Christians be welcoming and open to those ‘languages’ God uses to draw others to himself, *without* condemnation when it is not due- as we see here with the Magi?
Hey there, thanks for your comment. So yes, they were both astronomers and astrologers. God does in fact rule the celestial bodies. New age is a modern concept, which represents what is now considered “alternative spirituality”. Many of these practices are not new at all but go back many millennia. Just because a practice originated with paganism is not enough to automatically say it is “not Christian”… being that paganism existed well before modern religions, and truly originated with humanity itself- there would be little left if we chose to only engage in practices that originated with Christianity. I suggest you watch the video, even if only to make your own argument stronger.
@TheologyandSpirituality Paganism did not predate belief in the True God. People decended into paganism as a result if the Fall. Adam and Eve worshipped the True God. Paganism came later.
@ hey Pat- thanks for sharing your thoughts. your comment is coming from a biblical literalist perspective. Roman Catholics, alongside historians and academics, do not take literally the Genesis creation story. With that being said, I am sure you are correct in that early peoples worshipped the true God. Which is why it is conspicuous that those same peoples developed the astrological language.
Thanks for watching! Here are the sources for this video:
Allison, Jr., Dale C. Studies in Matthew: Interpretation Past and Present. Reprint edition. Baker Academic, 2012, (p. 21).
Brown, Raymond E. The Birth of the Messiah. Updated edition. New York: Anchor Bible, 1993, p. 188.
Campion, Nicholas. A History of Western Astrology Volume I. Continuum, 2009.
Charlesworth, James H., ed. The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha. Volume 1: Apocalyptic Literature and Testaments. First edition. Garden City, New York: Doubleday & Company, 1983, (p. 477).
Collins, David. “Scholastics, Stars, and Magi: Albert the Great on Matthew 2.” The Sacred and the Sinister, January 1, 2019, (p. 256).
Davis, D Mark. “Matthew 2:1-12.” Interpretation 57, no. 4 (October 2003), p. 421.
Harrington, Daniel J., Sacra Pagina: The Gospel of Matthew. Collegeville, Minn: Liturgical Press, 2007
Kotansky, Roy. “The Star of the Magi: Lore and Science in Ancient Zoroastrianism, the Greek Magical Papyri, and St Matthew’s Gospel.” Annali Di Storia Dell’Esegesi 24, no. 2 (July 2007), p. 379.
Larcher, OP, R.F. “Thomas Aquinas Commentary on Saint Matthew’s Gospel.” isidore.co/aquinas/SSMatthew.htm#2 (2-2).
Pope Benedict XVI. Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives. Image, 2012, p. 92.
Pope Francis. “Holy Mass on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord,” January 6, 2022.
Simonetti, Manlio, Thomas C. Oden, Christine Caine, and Oden, eds. Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture; Matthew 1-13: Volume 1A. First Edition. Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Academic, 2001, pgs. 20-30.
“The ‘Great’ Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn - NASA,” December 15, 2020. www.nasa.gov/solar-system/the-great-conjunction-of-jupiter-and-saturn/.
Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, I.115.4.
Image Sources: Monastery Icons, angelusnews.com, iconsandechoes.com, hallow.com, dialecticspiritualism.com, learnreligions.com, pinterest.com, wikipedia.org, liturgies.net
27:15 ❤
As a Jew, a spiritual believer, and someone who enjoys learning about religions, I find this extremely fascinating. Thank you for this history! I can't wait to learn more!
I am so glad you are here and that you love it! So much of Judaism plays into the gospel of Matthew. Enjoy ♥️
Agreed!
Rewatching and had to comment. I love how you’ve tied the two worlds together in a practical, source based and non emotional way! Very thoughtful questions and breakdown of the information, I’m interested in where this goes in further comparisons.
Hey Theresa, thanks for your comment and for watching! I’m so glad you love it.
Honestly, this is brilliant. And those who are listening in to this and understanding their history will get it. Thank you for speaking on this and sharing this wisdom. I feel like it’s a reclamation of ASTROLOGY. 🙌🎉
@@tinytank808 I feel the same way! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and for your compliment ♥️
Very well said. I love your perspective on this topic. Thank you for tying the past and present together. And explaining both the good ways to use astrology as well as what to stay away from.
Thank you for this kind comment. We definitely can’t ignore what is dark out there, but we can allow the truth and the goodness found in all spiritual traditions to come to light.
Beautiful thoughts. Thank you for offering a bridge with scripture!!
I appreciate you watching and sharing your thoughts!
I love this deep dive into this story about the Magi and I super appreciate the different angles you’re taking- for a lay person this is so helpful to hear such an in depth analysis!!
I’m so glad you love it ❤ It’s so important for Catholics to understand the meaning behind the stories we hear, and recognize how ‘cultural commentary’ can often be misguided.
I don’t know much about what you do, but I am following a certain spirit, and I must say that I truly enjoyed your work for its exploration and display of depth, thoughtfulness, and passion. It’s incredibly fascinating. I hope you don’t mind my feedback below, where I reflect on the Magi's gifts as acts of devotion, recognition of divine kingship, holiness, and commitment.
The story of the Magi, whether written by Matthew or another inspired writer, speaks to me not in the question of its authorship but in its ability to draw us into the same sacramental reality, a journey of devotion that unites the human and divine, leading us to Christ. Their journey mirrors the path of all true devotion, moving from natural signs to supernatural revelation, from seeking guidance in creation to finding fulfillment in the Creator.
Astrology, as you’ve thoughtfully explored, remains prevalent in many cultures where it is practiced with care. For some, it may serve as a necessary starting point. Like the star of Bethlehem, its value lies in pointing beyond itself. The Magi did not remain at the star, they left it behind when they found Christ. True devotion calls us to move beyond speculation and align our hearts with God’s grace, as seen in Mary’s profound "yes" to God’s will and in the transformative power of the sacraments.
Through miracles such as Our Lady of Guadalupe, Eucharistic , Mother Teresa’s extraordinary works of mercy, and the Filipino people’s forgiveness of Japan after World War II(No to reparations), we see devotion in action, a transformative power that transcends questions of authorship, intellect, and cultural boundaries. These moments are not rooted in speculative practices but in grace-filled encounters with the living God, made tangible and real. They remind us that devotion is less about seeking understanding through creation itself and more about responding to the Creator with awe, gratitude, and steadfast commitment.
Devotion invites us to trustfully open our hearts, following the signs that lead us into the fullness of divine love and grace. So, it makes me wonder, how can one truly cultivate this openness? Is it by letting go of the need to control or fully understand and instead embracing a posture of humility, wonder, and reverence?
Thank you very much for this thoughtful response. I truly appreciate it!
I agree with what you say here. Humility, awe and wonder are certainly necessary ingredients when approaching God, and the Magi, for their part- displayed all of these. *Anything* when used to attempt to control or manipulate, can be sinful.
It would appear that scripture scholars and systematic theologians alike agree that the Magi are examples of this devotion. However, the question is, can we Christians be welcoming and open to those ‘languages’ God uses to draw others to himself, *without* condemnation when it is not due- as we see here with the Magi?
The term you mean is ASTRONOMERS... silly bint!
Hey Devon! They were *also* astronomers, yes.
Nope...Astronomers. God rules the Celestial bodies. New age is Pagan...fact . Not Christian.
Hey there, thanks for your comment. So yes, they were both astronomers and astrologers. God does in fact rule the celestial bodies. New age is a modern concept, which represents what is now considered “alternative spirituality”. Many of these practices are not new at all but go back many millennia.
Just because a practice originated with paganism is not enough to automatically say it is “not Christian”… being that paganism existed well before modern religions, and truly originated with humanity itself- there would be little left if we chose to only engage in practices that originated with Christianity.
I suggest you watch the video, even if only to make your own argument stronger.
@TheologyandSpirituality Paganism did not predate belief in the True God. People decended into paganism as a result if the Fall. Adam and Eve worshipped the True God. Paganism came later.
@ hey Pat- thanks for sharing your thoughts.
your comment is coming from a biblical literalist perspective. Roman Catholics, alongside historians and academics, do not take literally the Genesis creation story.
With that being said, I am sure you are correct in that early peoples worshipped the true God. Which is why it is conspicuous that those same peoples developed the astrological language.