Fr. Jerry Pokorsky: Single-Minded Magi

By Fr. Jerry Pokorsky, The Catholic Thing, Jan 08, 2024

Fr. Jerry Pokorsky is a priest of the Diocese of Arlington who has also served as a financial administrator in the Diocese of Lincoln. Trained in business and accounting, he also holds a Master of Divinity and a Master’s in moral theology. Father Pokorsky co-founded both CREDO and Adoremus, two organizations deeply engaged in authentic liturgical renewal. He writes regularly for a number of Catholic websites and magazines. 

The three wise men had their priorities right. They followed the star to Bethlehem to worship the newborn King. Representing all nations, they fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy: “May the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts! May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!” (Ps. 72:10-11) Their single-mindedness, driven by conscience, teaches us to do the same.

The celebration of their visit to Bethlehem is another manifestation (“epiphany”) of the glory of Jesus. Various commentators identified the three wise men as “kings,” “astrologists,” “Persian priests,” and “the Magi.” The Church’s Epiphany blessing provides their names: Gaspar, Balthasar, and Melchior. According to pious tradition, St. Thomas the Apostle baptized them forty years later in India. In any case, the wise men traversed afar for a purpose that unnerved Herod the Great: “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East and have come to worship him.” (Mt. 2:2) …

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