When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,
in the days of King Herod,
behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.”
When King Herod heard this,
he was greatly troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him.
Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people,
He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea,
for thus it has been written through the prophet:
And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
since from you shall come a ruler,
who is to shepherd my people Israel.”
Then Herod called the magi secretly
and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.
He sent them to Bethlehem and said,
“Go and search diligently for the child.
When you have found him, bring me word,
that I too may go and do him homage.”
After their audience with the king they set out.
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded
them,
until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
They were overjoyed at seeing the star,
and on entering the house
they saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
Then they opened their treasures
and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
they departed for their country
by another way.
Matthew
2: 1-12
+
 |
| Blessed Sacrament Chapel, with Infant for Adoration. Saint Catherine Church, Bethlehem |
+
We do well to repeat the question asked by the Magi: “Where is
the child who has been born the King of the Jews? For we observed his
star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage” (Mt 2:2). We are
impelled, especially in an age like our own, to seek the signs which God offers
us, realizing that great effort is needed to interpret them and thus to
understand his will. We are challenged to go to Bethlehem, to find
the Child and his Mother. Let us follow the light which God offers
us! The light which streams from the face of Christ, full of mercy and
fidelity. And once we have found him, let us worship him with all our
heart, and present him with our gifts: our freedom, our understanding and our
love. Let us recognize that true wisdom lies concealed in the face of this
Child. It is here, in the simplicity of Bethlehem, that the life of the
Church is summed up. For here is the wellspring of that light which draws
to itself every individual and guides the journey of the peoples along the path
of peace.
Pope
Francis
Homily,
Solemnity of the Epiphany, 2016
Saint
Peter's Basilica
For the complete text, please visit: http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-church-doesnt-shine-with-its-own-ligh
+
 |
| Star marking the place where Jesus was born. Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem |
I hope and pray that you have been experiencing a most blessed Christmas season. May the graces continue to flow in and through us as we return all-to-soon to Ordinary Time. As the lights are still shining on our Christmas trees and the candles are still glowing let's contemplate once more the holy gifts we are giving as well as receiving:
What gifts do we personally bring to our newborn Savior?
What gifts do we receive from our Lord who cannot be outdone in
generosity?
How have we been transformed by our encounter at the manger so
that we will return to our daily lives in a different way?
+