Pope Angelus: January 6, 2016 (FULL TEXT: English)

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

In today's Gospel, the story of the Magi, who came from the East to Bethlehem to worship the Messiah, gives the feast of the Epiphany a breath of universality. And that is the breath of the Church, who want all the peoples of the earth may meet Jesus, to experience his merciful love. And 'this is the desire of the Church that they find the mercy of Jesus, his love.

Christ is born, he can not yet speak, and all nations - represented by the Magi - can already see him, recognize him, worship him. They say the Magi, "We have seen his star tick and are come to worship him" (Mt 2,2). Herod heard this just the Magi arrived in Jerusalem. These Magi were men prestigious, from distant regions and cultures, and had walked to the land of Israel to worship the King who had been born. The Church has always seen in them the image of all humanity, and with today's celebration, the feast of the Epiphany takes almost respectfully indicate to every man and woman in this world the Child who was born for the salvation of all.

On Christmas night Jesus was manifested to the shepherds, humble men and despised - some say the robbers -; they were the first to bring a little 'heat in the cold cave of Bethlehem. Now come the Magi from distant lands, also mysteriously attracted by the child. The shepherds and the Magi are very different from each other; But one thing unites them: the sky. The shepherds of Bethlehem ran over to see Jesus not because they were particularly good, but because the watches of the night and, looking up to the sky, they saw a sign, listened to his message and followed him. So were the Magi: peering skies, saw a new star, and interpreted the sign went forth, from a distance. The shepherds and the Magi teach us that to meet Jesus must know how to look up to the sky, not to be turned in upon themselves, on their own selfishness, but to have the heart and mind open to the horizon of God, which always surprise us, knowing how welcome its messages, and respond promptly and generously.

The Magi, the Gospel says, "When they saw the star, rejoiced exceedingly with great joy" (Mt 2:10). Even for us there is a great consolation in seeing the star, namely the feel driven and not abandoned to our fate. And the star is the Gospel, the Word of the Lord, as the Psalm says: "lamp to my feet Your word is a light to my path" (119.105). This light guides us towards Christ. Without listening to the Gospel, it is not possible to meet him! The Magi, in fact, following the star came to the place where Jesus was. And here "saw the child with Mary his mother, fell down and worshiped him" (Mt 2:11). The experience of the Magi urges us not to be content with mediocrity, not to "just get along", but to search for the meaning of things, peering with passion the great mystery of life. He teaches us not to scandalize the smallness and poverty, but to recognize the majesty humility, and knowing how to kneel in front of it.

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The Virgin Mary, who welcomed the Magi to Bethlehem, help us to lift our gaze from ourselves, to be guided by the star of the Gospel to meet Jesus, and knowing how to turn down to worship him. So we can bring to others a ray of its light, and share with them the joy of the journey.

After the Angelus:

Dear brothers and sisters,

Today we express our spiritual closeness to the brothers and sisters of the Christian, Catholic and Orthodox, many of which celebrate tomorrow the Lord's birth. To them we extend our best wishes for peace and goodness. And a big round of applause as a greeting!

We recall also that the Epiphany is the World Day of Missionary Childhood. It is a celebration of children, with their prayers and their sacrifices, help the neediest peers by being missionaries and witnesses of fraternity and sharing.

I extend my cordial greetings to you all, individual pilgrims, families, church groups and associations, from Italy and other countries. In particular I greet the faithful of Acerra, Modena and Terlizzi; the School of Sacred Art of Florence; the youth of the International State of the Lions Club.

A special greeting to those who give life to the historical and folkloric procession, dedicated this year to the Valle dell'Amaseno. Let me also mention the procession of the Magi that takes place in many cities of Poland with wide participation of families and associations; as well as a live nativity scene made the Capitol UNITALSI and by the Friars Minor, involving people with disabilities.

I wish everyone a happy feast. Please do not forget to pray for me. Good lunch and goodbye!