On the occasion of the solemnity of the Epiphany celebrated in the Vatican and in Italy this Monday, January 6, 2025, Pope Francis presided over the Angelus prayer from the papal apartments. In his exhortation which precedes this Marian prayer, the Holy Father invited the faithful gathered in Saint Peter’s Square to imitate the shepherds and the wise men by going to meet Jesus who has become close to us.
Françoise Niamien – Vatican City
«Today the Church celebrates the manifestation of Jesus, and the Gospel focuses on the wise men who, at the end of a long journey, arrive in Jerusalem to worship the King of the Jews, guided by the star (cf. Mt 2:1-12),” the Pope immediately clarified in his exhortation. In the account of this trip, Francis emphasized “something a little strange», drawing the attention of the faithful to the attitude of the wise men which contrasts with those of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. “While the wise men from far away arrive to find Jesus, those nearby do not take a step toward the cave of Bethlehem», remarked the Bishop of Rome.
The wise men overcame all difficulties to worship Jesus
«Attracted and guided by the star“, towards the birthplace of Christ, “the mages must face considerable expenses, offer their time and accept the risks and uncertainties which were not lacking at the time”. However, the Holy Father emphasized, they will overcome all difficulties to see the King-Messiah, “because they know that something unique in the history of humanity is happening and they don’t want to miss it».
Francis observed that the attitude of the Magi differs from that of the inhabitants of Jerusalem who “don’t move”, while they “should be the happiest and most ready to rush“. The same goes for the priests and theologians who correctly interpret the Holy Scriptures and tell the Magi where to find the Messiah, but they do not move from their “cstench». «They are satisfied with what they have and do not set out in search, they do not consider it useful to leave Jerusalem, to accompany the Magi to Bethlehem, even if it is only a few kilometers”commented the Pope.
Saint-Pierre Square this Monday January 6, 2025
“Recognize Jesus near us”
In light of this observation, the Bishop of Rome invited the faithful to introspection based on a series of questions: “to which category do we belong today? Are we closer to the shepherds, who hastened to the cave that night, and to the wise men from the East, who confidently set out in search of the Son of God made man? or are we closer to those who, although physically very close to Him, do not open the doors of their hearts and their lives, remaining closed and insensitive to the presence of Jesus?»
And the Pope tells this story according to which a fourth wise man arrived late in Jerusalem at the very moment of the crucifixion of Jesus. “it’s a beautiful story; “It’s not historical, but it’s a beautiful story – because he stopped in the street to help all the needy by giving them the precious gifts he had brought for Jesus.”. At the end, an old man came up and said to him: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of us, brothers, you did for me.”. «The Lord does everything we have done for others», affirmed the Holy Father.
Francis concluded his exhortation by asking the Virgin Mary to help us, so that “imitating the shepherds and the Magi, we can recognize Jesus near us, in the Eucharist, in the poor, in the abandoned, in the prisoners and, by giving a little of our time and energy to God and our neighbor. . Peter’s successor also asked for the intercession of the Virgin so that, “we can console ourselves by consoling, relieve ourselves by lifting ourselves up, give ourselves meaning to our existence by becoming a sign of hope for those we meet».
In full, the Angelus of Monday January 6
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