ANGELUS POPE FRANCIS
Saint Peter's Square-Friday, 6 January
2017
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| PHOTO: Zenit.org / PHOTO.VA - OSSERVATORE ROMANO |
SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF
THE LORD
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Good morning!
Today we are celebrating the Epiphany of the
Lord, which is the manifestation of Jesus who shines as a
light for all peoples. A symbol of this light, that shines in the world and
seeks to enlighten the life of each one of us, is the star that guided the Magi
to Bethlehem. The Gospel says that they had “seen his star in the East” (Mt
2:2) and they chose to follow it: they chose to be guided by the star of Jesus.
In our life too, there are several stars, lights
that twinkle and guide. It is up to us to choose which ones to follow. For
example, there are flashing lights that come and go, like the
small pleasures of life: though they may be good, they are not enough, because
they do not last long and they do not leave the peace we seek. Then there is
the dazzling limelight of money and success which promises
everything, and at once. It is seductive, but with its intensity, blinds and
causes dreams of glory to fade into the thickest darkness. The Magi, instead,
invite us to follow a steady light, a gentle light that
does not wane, because it is not of this world: it comes from heaven and shines
... where? In the heart.
This true light is the light of the Lord, or
rather, it is the Lord himself. He is our light: a light that does
not dazzle, but accompanies and bestows a unique joy. This light is for
everyone and it calls each one of us. In this way, we can hear addressed to us
today’s invitation from the prophet Isaiah: “Arise, shine” (60:1). So said
Isaiah, prophesying this joy of today in Jerusalem, “Arise, shine”. At the
beginning of each day we can welcome this invitation: arise, shine,
and follow today — among the many shooting stars in the world — the bright star
of Jesus! Following it, we will experience the joy, as happened to the Magi,
who “when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” (Mt
2:10); because where there is God, there is joy. Those who have
encountered Jesus have experienced the miracle of light that pierces the
darkness and know this light that illuminates and brightens. I would like, with
great respect, to invite everyone not to fear this light and to open up to the
Lord. Above all, I would like to say to those who have lost the strength to
seek, who are tired, to those who, overwhelmed by the darkness of life, have
extinguished this yearning: arise, take heart, the light of Jesus can overcome
the deepest darkness. Arise, take heart!
And how do we find this divine light? We follow
the example of the Magi, whom the Gospel describes as always on the
move. He who wants the light, in fact, goes out of himself and seeks: he is
not withdrawn, immobile, watching what is happening around him, but rather, he
puts his own life at stake; he goes out of himself. Christian life is a continuous
journey, made of hope, a quest; a journey which, like that of the Magi,
continues even when the star momentarily disappears from view. On this journey
there are also pitfalls that should be avoided: superficial and mundane gossip,
which slows the pace; the paralyzing selfish whims; the pit of pessimism that
ensnares hope. These obstacles hindered the scribes, of whom today’s Gospel
speaks. They knew where the light was, but did not move. When Herod asked them,
‘Where will the Messiah be born?’ [They answered], ‘In Bethlehem!’. They knew
where, but did not budge. Their knowledge was vain: they knew many things, but
it was useless, all in vain. It is not enough to know that God is born, if you
do not celebrate with him Christmas in the heart. God is born, yes,
but is he born in your heart? Is he born in my heart? Is he born in our hearts?
And in this way we will find him, as did the Magi, with Mary and Joseph in the
stable.
The Magi went forth: having found the Child,
“they fell down and worshiped him” (v. 11). They did not just look at him, they
did not just say a circumstantial prayer and leave, no indeed, they
worshiped: they entered into a personal communion of love with Jesus. Then
they offered him gold, frankincense and myrrh, namely, their most precious
belongings. Let us learn from the Magi not to devote to Jesus only spare time
and an occasional thought; otherwise we will not receive his light. Like the
Magi, let us set out, let us shine as we follow the star of Jesus, and let us
adore the Lord with all our hearts.
After the Angelus:
Tomorrow the ecclesial communities of the East,
which follow the Julian Calendar, will celebrate Holy Christmas. In a spirit of
joyful fraternity, I pray that the new birth of the Lord Jesus may fill them
with light and peace.
The Epiphany is the Day of Missionary Childhood.
I encourage all children and young people who in many parts of the world are
committed to spreading the Gospel and to helping their
peers in need.
The Magi offer their gifts to Jesus, but in
reality, Jesus himself is the true gift of God: he is indeed the God who gives
himself to us; in him we see the merciful face of the Father who awaits us,
welcomes us, always forgives us; the face of God that never treats us according
to our works or according to our sins, but only in accordance with the
immensity of his inexhaustible mercy. And speaking of gifts, I too thought I
would give you a little gift ... there aren’t any camels, but I will give you
the gift of the Icons of Mercy booklet. God’s gift is Jesus,
mercy of the Father; and this is why in order to remember this gift of God, I
am giving you this gift that will be distributed by the poor, by the homeless
and by refugees along with many volunteers and religious whom I cordially greet
and thank wholeheartedly.
I wish you a year of justice, forgiveness,
serenity, but above all, a year of mercy. It will help you to read this book:
it is pocket-sized, so you can take it with you. Please, do not forget to give
me, too, the gift of your prayers. May the Lord bless you. Happy feast day,
enjoy your lunch and Arrivederci!
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