Sr Rekha Chennattu PHOTO: Indian Catholic Matters
By Sr Rekha Chennattu
August 22 2022
Reflections on Matthew 2:1-12 and FABC 50 “And they went by another way”
The journey of the Magi enlightens our rereading of the experience of FABC, enriches our reflections as we celebrate its golden jubilee, and enhances our vision for its future journey.
The story of the wise men is indeed a faith journey for every disciple of Jesus. It is all about discipleship and can be applied to the journey of the Asian Church in general and that of FABC in particular. Although many insights can be gleaned from the story, I shall dwell on just a few aspects of this discipleship journey. Then, I shall focus on the final response of the Magi, “they went by another way” (v. 12b).
The narrative presents discipleship as a journey that encompasses a process of seeing, recognizing, and responding to the signs of God. This is what the wise men did: they saw a star in a distant land. They recognized it as a sign from God and they responded to it by setting out on a long journey to find and worship the KING that the star had indicated. It is very striking that they immediately acted on the sign rather than merely looking at it. Since the wise men represent the pagan world, their coming to Jesus represents the breaking down of the walls between races and cultures. We can also say that the Magi make a synodal journey: they discerned together, decided together, and journeyed together.
This journey certainly entailed immense difficulties for the Magi but it also brought the immense joy of arriving at their destination. Despite all the hardships they had to endure, the Magi had not given up; they had not stopped trusting in their guiding star. They had found their way to the birthplace of the new born KING of the Jews. Like the merchant in search of the fine pearls (13:45) or the women at the tomb on Easter morning (28:8), the wise men were “overwhelmed with joy” (2:10).
This journey was a response to divine initiatives and interventions. As the saying goes, “God’s grace precedes human actions.” The Magi are inspired to seek and to discern. They are guided by the star of God at the beginning, and later, they are led by God through a dream to return to their own country by a different route (v. 12). The dream motif, like the star motif, portrays God who is not mentioned in the story, but is active throughout. Listening to God’s instructions, they dared to disobey King Herod, and “went by another way” which implied great risk.
Now what does this gospel mean for us today? The story of the Magi invites the Asian Church to see, to recognize, and to respond to the interventions of God. In this context, we may ask ourselves: when and where do we experience interventions of God? God speaksto usthrough the various events of our daily life. So, what is God’s message in and through the global experience of the coronavirus pandemic? What is God’s instruction as the Church is called to make a synodal journey? What is God’s dream when FABC celebrates its golden jubilee? The pandemic, more than ever before, reminds us of our inter-connectedness and inter-dependence as members of the human family. Pope Francis, by convoking the Synod on Synodality, invites us to be a listening Church, to make a radical shift in our mindset so that we become more attentive, more inclusive, and journey together. The Jubilee year of FABC offers a golden opportunity for us to enter into a process of renewal.
Lastly, how do we understand v. 12b – “And they went by another way”? In the light of the above analysis, it is reasonable to say that the Asian Church is challenged to explore new pathways for its journey forward. The story of the Magi invites us to consider the pandemic, the synod, and the jubilee as God’s interventions and challenges us to take new ways – to journey on different paths, to allow the Church to unfold in new and even more authentic and holier ways. Perhaps it is a call to embrace a new way of being the Asian Church.
God calls the Church to continual renewal. Are we called to become more contemplative and interdependent, more synodal and inclusive? A more ascetic and prophetic Church? God invites us to become fully and truly an Asian Church by listening to Asian realities and embracing Asian spiritualities. We are called to journey together as peoples of Asia into the unknown, at the service of God’s mission of announcing the gospel of Jesus Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit.
I imagine that the new face of the Asian Church will reflect a Church with a rich interior life and contemplative spirituality, marked by simplicity and an ever-widening family spirit. She will foster transformative listening and reciprocal service, openness to newness and change. The Asian Church will be truly committed to proclaiming God’s Kingdom of justice, peace and the integrity of creation. She will be a Church that respects the dignity of every human person, cares for the sick and elderly, gives laity and women their rightful place, gives special attention to families and young people. At home with her own vulnerability, she will celebrate the diversity of life and dare to take risks, while striving to maintain harmony and peace.
I hope our Church will journey forward overcoming poverty, loneliness, and marginalization, building together a community where the multi-religious and multi-cultural Asian world will know we are Christians because we care for each other and love one another. In Asian soil, the Church then becomes a symbol of God’s reigning presence radiating joy and hope amid persecutions, a sign of God’s transforming presence pervaded by integrity and holiness.
Let me conclude by praying with the Psalmist: “Make us know your ways, O Lord! Teach usyour paths” (Ps 25:4). And, may we let the Holy Spirit guide our journey forward!
Thank you!
