St. Mark's News

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January 2013

St. Mark’s News Volume 16/Issue 1

From the Curate “What is that? (looking at a fiery “something” flying in front of a big, full moon) . . . . That’s the Christmas Star. That’s all that matters tonight. Not bonuses or gifts or turkeys or trees. You see kids, it means something to everybody . . . now I know what it means to me . . . .” These poignant words from Clark W. Griswold in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation might not be far from Matthew’s intent of the star the magi followed from the East. Staring at the now two-year-old boy Jesus, these men are pious gentles (Babylonian astrologers) who have come to pay homage to the King of the Jews. (In the ancient world, the term “magi” could have a pejorative connotation as well: sorcerers, practitioners of the black arts, or even beguiling frauds.) These elder statesmen are God-fearers; being led by the star, they come in peace. They have made this journey to worship; they embody the world’s gaze upon God’s glorious new creation. Looking ahead in the Gospel, these gentle, gifting travelers are in direct contrast to the child’s future run-in with Gentile magistrates (27: 11, 29 & 37). They proclaim Jesus as the “King of the Jews” as well, but the governors and crowds in chapter 27 have a very different tone behind their homage. Using the best of pagan science, they spot the star “at its rising” (not “from the East,” which is a mistranslation—the magi came from the East; the star didn’t). They know there is someone special at the end of its leading; in the ancient world stars hailed the advent of messianic rulers, the coming of a new king. The magi serve as the messengers to King Herod (his own astrologers were unaware of this eternal occasion), piquing his notorious paranoia. He harbors his own nefarious schemes as he welcomes these holy men. But he has misjudged his guests, for these are righteous men. They will not carry out Herod’s sinister plans. God is guiding this story.

In this Issue From the Curate ..................................... 1 Vestry Highlights .................................... 2 Outreach ................................................ 3 About the Vestry Nominees .................... 4 Parish Life .............................................. 5 Christian Formation ................................ 7 Parishioner Highlights ............................ 9 Birthdays & Anniversaries .................... 10 ROTA ................................................... 11

Like Abraham following God’s call (Genesis 12:1-4), these wise men listened to God’s beckoning once more from the East. “The wise men connected the rise of the star with the birth of the king of the Jews.” (David Garland, Reading Matthew, pg 26.) The same star meant different things to Herod and these magi; for these star gazers, the star meant new beginnings, a new kingdom is come. They have made the trip to worship the new born king. For Herod the star was an omen. Comets were signs portending the birth of someone of consequence. Suetonius tells us that when a comet appeared over Rome for several nights, Nero took the precaution of having several Roman noblemen executed so that it would have augured their deaths and not his (Garland, 26).

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