Magyar Egyház, 1966 (45. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1966-11-01 / 11-12. szám
14 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ Artaban was alive and very much so: he was chief astrologer in the court of the king of the Parthians. After many years at last he had spoken to his former masters but — just as Balthasar predicted — never believed their story. So they found a baby. What of it? Of course, by time Artaban got wiser, too. He often made concessions to science — after all, he wanted to keep his well paid position in court. So he foretold the king’s future and if it didn’t come out quite as he had said he used his brilliant art of persuasion to extricate himself from the toughest spots. Undoubtedly, he was the greatest power in court. He didn’t like it very much. As a matter of fact he hated it and he hated himself for it. Inside he was a scholar, a searcher after truth, a believer in knowledge and not a fortune-teller, a liar. One day Artaban learned that a man from Jerusalem was in the capital city. The reports said the man was proclaiming a new religion. The Gospel of Jesus Christ he called it and it was simple indeed: Repent of your sins and the kingdom of God will come upon you. Believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God who was crucified, dead, but who rose again from the dead as God’s mighty sign that His love can never be vanquished. Artaban wanted to see the man. He was brought before him. “What’s your name?” “The Twin. The Greeks call me Thomas.” “What is your trade?” “My trade? Fisherman. But now I am an apostle of my Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah.” “Ah, you are a Hebrew, then?” “By birth, yes. But now I am the apostle of the Lord . . .” “Yes, yes, of your Lord Jesus Christ. I heard it.” “He is the Savior of the world and I came here to tell just that.” “Savior from what? We have no enemies. We live in peace with the Romans. We are a free country and a free people.” “From sin, to be forgiven, to attain peace to one’s soul. The haters, the liars . . .” Artaban was struck in his heart. The liars. How miserable he felt every time when he had to tell a mendacious prophecy to the king. How wonderful it would be to be at peace . . . “How do you get this peace?” “Repent and don’t do it again.” “Is that all?” “Yes, and then tell the truth. To everybody. To all people. Tell that God’s justice will prevail. Tell that God’s love will prevail. That the Lord will come again and will judge and will forgive the repentent. In His kingdom.” Artaban was1 lost in thought. For a long while. Then abruptly he said: “I don’t believe you. This is just talk. Superstition. You just take all this into your head.” “My friend” — and Artaban was struck by this informal word yet somehow he didn’t get angry. “My friend” — Thomas repeated — “let me tell my story. The Lord Jesus was crucified by his enemies. I saw it. I was there. Then I ran away. I was scared to death. They knew I was his disciple, they would kill me. too. Late at night I sneaked back into the house where the rest of the disciples were gathered. Ten of them. They told me excitedly, ‘We have seen the Lord, he is alive.’ Of course, I didn’t believe them.” “Of course” — Artaban mechanically repeated. “I said, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails on his hands ... I will not believe it.’ ” “Well, and . . .?” — Artaban asked eagerly. “A week later we were again together. And Jesus came in our midst. I saw him. His wounds, his hand, his feet.” “What then?” — Artaban leaned forward, he breathed heavily. “What then? Nothing. Except that I had to believe. I saw it myself. I cried ‘My Lord and my God!’” Thomas was shaken; Artaban felt that the man lived the scene all over again. Then Thomas continued: “And you know, the Lord said only a few words. With his meek and loving voice. But it pierced my heart.” “What did he say?” “ ‘Because you have seen me you have found faith. Happy are they who never saw me and yet have found faith.’ ” For a while they were silent. Then Thomas spoke again: “Master Artaban, I know who you are. I know your story. I heard about your teachers, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. How they came to worship Jesus when he was born in Bethlehem. Why weren’t you with them?” “Why? Really, why? Because I didn’t believe they would find Him. That a savior would be born to be found . . .” “You still don’t believe?” The voice of Artaban was hardly audible, “My Lord and my God . . .” Thomas’ voice came as from very far off, as if it wouldn’t be his voice at all, “Happy are they who never saw me and yet have found faith.” Christmas came upon the fifth wise man. A Christmas Prayer Almighty God, in Christmas starlight Thou hast come to us not with an army, with banners, not with sound of trumpets, not by battle but by a Child. We thank Thee for the story of the crowded Inn, the Wise Men, the Manger, the Star, the Shepherds, the Angels, the Mother and the Child. May this to us be a season when faith rises triumphantly over doubt and distrust. How easy it is, 0 God, to be cynical in these troubled days, with wars and rumors of wars, broken peace pacts, intolerance, injustice, cruelty and sordid manifestations of self-seeking. In the midst of our disillusionment and misgivings, we look backward for inspiration to the first blessed Christmas, and then forward to the day that is to be, when from the gray shadows Pf strife and sorrow our war-wary world will pass into the Christmas light of joy and justice. Almighty God, our Father, we adore Thee for Thy love, we praise Thee for Thy mercy, we worship Thee for Thy forgiveness, we love Thee for Thy wonderful Christmas Gift. We thank Thee for what Thou hast done for us. On Christmas Day we must realize that every good gift comes from Thee. Almighty God, hear the Christmas carols we sing to Thee. Fill our hearts with joy and gladness. This we ask in the name of Him whose birthday we celebrate. Amen. Tibor Dömötör
