Pope Benedict XVI- Angelus |
Angelus Message
On the Feast of Epiphany
"A Confirmation of the Perfect Harmony Between Human Seeking
and Divine Truth"
H.H. Benedict XVI
January 6, 2010
www.zenit.org
Dear
brothers and sisters!
Today we celebrate the great feast of the Epiphany, the mystery of
the Lord's manifestation to all peoples, represented by the Magi,
who came from the East to adore the King of the Jews (cf. Matthew
2:1-2). The Evangelist Matthew, who recounts the event, stresses how
the Magi arrived in Jerusalem following a star, seen at its rising
and interpreted as a sign of the birth of the king proclaimed by the
prophets, that is, of the Messiah.
Arriving in Jerusalem, however, the Magi were in need of the
indications of the priests and scribes to know exactly the place
where they should go, namely, Bethlehem, the city of David (cf.
Matthew 2:5-6; Micah 5:1). The star and sacred Scriptures were the
two lights that guided the way of the Magi, who appear to us as
models of genuine seekers of truth.
They were wise men, who scrutinized the stars and knew the history
of peoples. They were men of science in a broad sense, who observed
the cosmos regarding it almost as a great book full of divine signs
and messages for man. Their learning, however, far from making them
self-sufficient, was open to further divine revelations and appeals.
In fact, they were not ashamed to ask for instructions from the
religious leaders of the Jews. They could have said: We can do it
alone, we have no need of anyone, avoiding, according to our
mentality today, every "contamination" between science and the Word
of God.
Instead, the Magi listened to the prophecies and welcomed them and,
no sooner were they on the way to Bethlehem, than they again saw the
star, almost as a confirmation of the perfect harmony between human
seeking and divine Truth, a harmony that filled the hearts of these
genuine wise men with joy (cf. Matthew 2:10). The culmination of
their search was when they found themselves before "the Child with
Mary, his Mother" (Matthew 2:11).
The Gospel says that "prostrating themselves, they adored him." They
could have remained disappointed, even scandalized. Instead, as true
wise men, they were open to the mystery manifested in a surprising
way, and with their symbolic gifts, demonstrated that they
recognized in Jesus the King and Son of God. Precisely in that
gesture were fulfilled the messianic prophecies that proclaimed the
homage of nations to the God of Israel.
A final detail confirms, in the Magi, the unity between intelligence
and faith: It is the fact that "warned in a dream not to return to
Herod, they departed to their own country by another way" (Matthew
2:12). It would have been natural to return to Jerusalem, to Herod's
palace and the Temple, to proclaim their discovery. Instead, the
Magi, who chose the Child as their sovereign, protected him in
concealment, in keeping with Mary's style, or better, with that of
God himself. And thus, as they appeared, they disappeared in
silence, content, but also changed by the encounter with Truth. They
had discovered a new face of God, a new royalty: that of love.
May the Virgin Mary, model of true wisdom, help us to be genuine
seekers of the truth of God, capable of living always the profound
harmony that exists between reason and faith, science and
revelation.
[After the Angelus, the Holy Father added:]
I am happy to address my most cordial greeting to the brothers and
sisters of the Eastern Churches who tomorrow celebrate Holy
Christmas. May the mystery of light be a source of joy and peace for
every family and community.
Observed on the Solemnity of the Epiphany is Children's Missionary
Day, with the motto "Children Help Children." Promoted by the
Venerable Pope Pius XII, this initiative educates children to be
formed in a mentality open to the world and to be in solidarity with
their poorest peers. I greet affectionately all the little
missionaries present in the five continents and encourage them to be
always witnesses of Jesus and heralds of his Gospel.
[Translation by ZENIT]
[He then greeted the people in several languages. In English, the
Pope said:]
I greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present for
this Angelus. Today we celebrate the solemnity of the Epiphany of
our Lord. As the wise men of old followed a star and knelt before
the Christ child, we too are called to welcome him who today reveals
the loving face of God to the nations. May the example of the wise
men encourage us to give our very best to God and to our neighbours.
Upon each of you and your loved ones at home, I invoke God's
abundant blessings!
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