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SanctusMarcus
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I am writing an article on the Epiphany, and just wanted to ask if there are any traditions regarding what happened to the Gifts given to Christ by the Magi?
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H
Hereiam
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Not sure if there are any traditions, but my perception is:
The Gold - used to create crowns of the elders who worship at the throne (Rev 4:4), and in the creation of the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:18).
The Frankincense - used as the prayers of the saints to God (Rev 5:7).
The Myrrh - used to anoint the body of Christ for his burial (John 19:39)
Pax et Bonum!
The Gold - used to create crowns of the elders who worship at the throne (Rev 4:4), and in the creation of the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:18).
The Frankincense - used as the prayers of the saints to God (Rev 5:7).
The Myrrh - used to anoint the body of Christ for his burial (John 19:39)
Pax et Bonum!
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SanctusMarcus
Guest
I read in a newspaper article that one tradition is that the gold was used to pay for the cave where Christ was born. The incense was used to perfume it. And the myrrh was used to anoint the Holy Body at the burial. I am usually weary about newspapers who publish things on Catholicism because they usually get some things wrong. Hence my question.
Thank you anyway for your response.
Pax!
Thank you anyway for your response.
Pax!
H
Hereiam
Guest
I wouldn’t be too hard on what you read, as this is a theological question not one of infallible church teaching. Another questions to consider were: Was there only 3 Magi or many? The Psalms would lead one to believe many (caravans of dromedaries for the east). But they also tell us of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh, and perhaps Matthew took literary license to present only 3 Magi…and through this the Tradition comes where we have names of the “three wise men”…even Matthew presents the Magi as astrologers, and doesn’t discuss the fact that they were a priestly caste of eastern Gentiles who served their king…and again, because of the Psalms we hear of “three kings of the orient” in reference to the Magi.
So to attempt to take the event presented by Matthew in the Literal Sense, without considering the Scriptural Sense (See CCC 115-117), might not give a true picture of the importance of the visitation of the Magi.
Peace.
So to attempt to take the event presented by Matthew in the Literal Sense, without considering the Scriptural Sense (See CCC 115-117), might not give a true picture of the importance of the visitation of the Magi.
Peace.
Z
Zaccheus
Guest
As to the Magi, the Gospel doesn’t give a number. It says merely that wise men came from the East.
If they were men of wealth, as seems likely, they would have had servants and guards with them, so there would have been a caravan even if there were only three in change.
As for the gifts, I suspect the gold paid for the Holy Family’s time in Egypt. The myrrh might have been saved and eventually used to anoint the body of Christ.
If they were men of wealth, as seems likely, they would have had servants and guards with them, so there would have been a caravan even if there were only three in change.
As for the gifts, I suspect the gold paid for the Holy Family’s time in Egypt. The myrrh might have been saved and eventually used to anoint the body of Christ.
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