Today, the solemnity of the Epiphany, Bergoglio spoke about the star in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Magi follow “another type of light”: that of love, not that of power. May the trip to Bethlehem be an example of being “a light for others.” Christmas greetings to the Churches of the East at the Angelus.
Vatican City () – “The Magi testify that they set out on their journey, which changed their lives, because they saw a new light in heaven. “I would like us to reflect on this image, as we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord in the Jubilee of hope.” The search, a light as a guide, change, are the elements that, as Pope Francis pointed out this morning in the homily of the Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, continue to challenge all of humanity. They represent the journey of the Magi from the East to Jerusalem that is narrated in the Gospel of Matthew (Mt 2:1-12): the encounter with the “king of the Jews” (v. 2), the “great joy” (v. .10) that they experience when they see the star and, finally, return home “by another way” (v. 12).
Today, the solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, but also Holy Christmas for the Armenian Apostolic Church and Christmas Eve for the communities of the East, the star-comet symbolizes “another type of light.” Not the one supposedly emitted by sovereigns, which symbolizes power and fame. It is not of this nature that showed the Magi the way to Bethlehem. But a light that “illuminates and warms by burning and letting itself be consumed”: that of love. The “only light that can show everyone the path to salvation and happiness,” said Bergoglio. “The only light that will make us happy.” And it represents the love of God made man and that “with which we are also called to give ourselves up for one another.” Which indicates, he added, a sign of hope “even in the dark nights of life.”
A love that is “closeness, compassion and tenderness.” With which each one, imitating the “shine” of the star, can show the “beauty of the Father’s face” to all the people he meets. “And for this we do not need extraordinary instruments or sophisticated means, but rather making our hearts shine in faith, our gazes being generous in welcoming and our gestures and words being full of kindness and humanity,” Francis added. Looking at the example of the Magi, it is possible to be, “for one another, lights that lead to an encounter with Him.” But the risk of looking only at oneself is very real, and it is good for us to cultivate movement toward the other. “It is sad that a person is not a light for others.”
Pope Francis also spoke in his homily about the star’s ability to be visible to all people. Despite this, some, like the Magi, notice her, while others, like Herod and the scribes, “do not even notice her presence.” “The star, however, always remains there, accessible to anyone who looks up to the sky, looking for a sign of hope. Let’s ask ourselves: am I a sign of hope for others?” Francisco invited. The message that this accessibility brings is that God does not reveal himself only to “exclusive circles,” but to everyone who seeks him “with a sincere heart.” That is why the Magi have characteristics of different ages and ethnicities. A detail that makes one meditate because “in a time where people and nations, although equipped with increasingly powerful means of communication, seem to be less willing to understand, accept and find each other in their diversity.”
“The star tells us about God’s dream: that all humanity, in the richness of its differences, will form a single family and live united in prosperity and peace,” Francis continued. The star, in fact, indicates above all the path. A very valuable sign to interpret at this beginning of the Holy Year, which has as its motto “pilgrims of hope” and which, therefore, includes pilgrimage among its characteristic gestures. “The light of the star invites us to take an interior journey that, as John Paul II wrote, frees our hearts from everything that is not charity,” said Bergoglio. “And we, by contemplating the star, can also renew our commitment to being women and men ‘of the Camino’.”
After the celebration in Saint Peter’s, Pope Francis looked out the window of the Vatican Apostolic Palace to pray the Angelus. From there, in front of a square full of people and still decorated for the Christmas holidays, he spoke about the Eastern Catholic Churches and the Orthodox Churches that follow the Julian calendar, which celebrate Holy Christmas tomorrow. “I am pleased to express my warmest regards to you,” he said. “I especially assure my prayers for those who are suffering due to the ongoing conflicts. May Jesus, Prince of Peace, bring peace and serenity to all. And imploring peace in the world he added: “Let us not forget to pray for peace in the tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, and all countries that are at war, like Myanmar.
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