“The Magi set out because of a deep desire which
prompted them to leave everything and begin a journey.
It was as though they had always been waiting for that star.”
- Pope Benedict XVI
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Solemnity of the Epiphany
Although the date of the Epiphany on the General Calendar of the Church
is January 6th, in the USA and some other countries it is celebrated
on the Sunday after January 1st so more Catholics may attend holy Mass.
This year it was celebrated on January 2.
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“No one, whether shepherd or wise man,
can approach God here below except
by kneeling before the manger at Bethlehem
and adoring him hidden
in the weakness of a new-born child.”
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, 563
They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering
the house they saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage. - Matt 2:10-11
which filled the Wise Men on their journey to Christ...
Above all, we must imitate them
as they place at the Child's feet not only three gifts,
but also their lives...
We need to 'set out anew from Christ,'
with the zeal of Pentecost, with renewed enthusiasm.
To set out from Him above all
in a daily commitment to holiness,
with an attitude of prayer
and of listening to His word.
and of listening to His word.
To set out from Him
in order to testify to His love
by living a Christian life
marked by communion,
by living a Christian life
marked by communion,
charity and witness before the world."
Saint John Paul II
O, come let us adore Him -
Christ the LORD!
“In returning to their own land by another way
the Magi suggest something of great significance for us.
Our true country is paradise.
Having now come to the knowledge of Jesus,
we are forbidden to return to it
on the path by which we left it.
we are forbidden to return to it
on the path by which we left it.
For we left our land by the path of pride, of disobedience,
by following after wealth, by eating forbidden food.
So we must now return another way:
by way of tears, by way of obedience,
by contempt of the world, by restraining the
desires of the flesh.” - St Gregory the Great
by contempt of the world, by restraining the
desires of the flesh.” - St Gregory the Great
Photo Image above: Christ Our Life Conference, Des Moines, IA ~ USA (2014)
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