At the conclusion of the Mass celebrated in the Vatican Basilica for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, the Holy Father, Pope Francis appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace to recite the Angelus with the faithful and with pilgrims who had gathered in Saint Peter's Square.
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning! Happy feast day!
On Christmas Eve night, we meditated on the hurried journey to the cave in Bethlehem of some shepherds who were part of the people of Israel; today, on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, we remember the arrival of the Magi, who came from the East to adore the newborn King of the Jews and the Saviour of the world, and to offer him symbolic gifts. With their gesture of adoration, the Magi bear witness to Jesus who came to the earth to save not only one race, but all peoples. Therefore, in today's feast, our gaze is widened to include the entire world which celebrates the manifestation of the Lord to all people, that is the revelation of the love and the salvation of God for all people. He does not limit his love to a few privileged souls, but offers it to everyone. As he is the creator of all things and the Father of all peoples, so God wants also to be the Saviour of all. This is the reason why we are called to always nurture great trust and hope in his salvation, especially in our dealings with others: even those who seem to be far removed from the Lord are followed - or better yet, chased - by his impassioned love, by his faithful and humble love, for God's love is always humble, so humble!
The gospel account of the Magi describes their voyage from the East as a voyage of the soul, as a journey toward an encounter with Christ. They are attentive to the signs which indicate a presence; they are untiring in facing the difficulties which they encounter; they are courageous in assuming the implications for their lives which result from their encounter with the Lord. Life is like that: the life of a Christian is a journey: we must be careful, tireless and courageous. This is how a Christian must continue the journey. Careful walking, untiring and courageous. The experience of the Magi evokes the journey of every person toward Christ. As it was for the Magi, so it is for us: to seek God means to walk - and like I said: carefully, tirelessly and courageously - fixed on the heavens and following the visible sign of the star of the invisible God who speaks to our hearts. The star which is able to guide everyone toward Jesus is the Word of God, the Word which is found in the bible, in the gospels. The Word of God is a light that guides our journey, feeds our faith and brings it to life. The Word of God constantly renews our hearts and our communities. Therefore we should never forget to read it and to meditate on it every day, so that it can become for each of us, a flame that can be carried within us to illuminate our steps, and even the steps of those who walk alongside us, who are perhaps struggling to find their way to Christ. Always with the Word of God! The Word of God in hand: a small copy of the gospels in our pockets, in our purses, always, so that we can read it. Don't forget this: I always have the Word of God with me!
On this day of the Epiphany, our thoughts also reach our brothers and sisters in the Christian East, Catholics and Orthodox, many of whom will celebrate the Nativity of the Lord tomorrow. To all of them, we send our affectionate greetings.
I am happy to note that today, we celebrate the World Day of Missionary Childhood. This is the feast of children who live with joy the gift of faith and who pray for the light of Jesus to be shared with all children of the world. I encourage all educators to cultivate a missionary spirit in children. May they not be children and young people who are closed in upon themselves, but open: able to see and appreciate larger horizons; may their hearts always hasten toward these horizons so that there may arise among them, true witnesses to the tenderness of God and courageous proclaimers of the gospel.
We turn now to the Virgin Mary, and invoke her protection over the universal Church, that the gospel of Christ, the light of all peoples might continually spread throughout the world. May she accompany us always on our journey, so that we might continue on the way, always attentive, always untiring and always courageous.
At the conclusion of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:
Dear brothers and sisters,
I greet you all, Romans and pilgrims alike, renewing my greetings for peace and for every blessing in the Lord.
I greet the faithful who have come from Aachen (Germany), from Kilbeggan (Ireland), and the students from Northfield, Minnesota (United States of America); I greet the confirmandi from Romano di Lombardia and their parents; the faithful from Biassono, Verona, Arzignano, Acerra and from some dioceses in Puglia; and the young people from Opera Don Orione.
A special greeting to those who bring alive the historic and folkloric parade which is dedicated this year to the territory of the municipalities of Segni, Artena, Carpineto Romano, Gorga and Montelanico.
Always remember: life is a journey, journey well, seek God. Travel carefully, untiringly and courageously. And there is one more thing, one more thing: carefully, untiringly, courageously ... and what else? Travel with the light! And what is the light? The gospel, the Word of God. Always with the gospel: in your pocket, in your purse, so you can read it, it is always with us. Travel carefully, untiringly, courageously and with the light of the Word of God.
I wish you all a good feast day. Don't forget to pray for me and enjoy your lunch. Good bye!
Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
prior to the recitation of the Angelus
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning! Happy feast day!
On Christmas Eve night, we meditated on the hurried journey to the cave in Bethlehem of some shepherds who were part of the people of Israel; today, on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, we remember the arrival of the Magi, who came from the East to adore the newborn King of the Jews and the Saviour of the world, and to offer him symbolic gifts. With their gesture of adoration, the Magi bear witness to Jesus who came to the earth to save not only one race, but all peoples. Therefore, in today's feast, our gaze is widened to include the entire world which celebrates the manifestation of the Lord to all people, that is the revelation of the love and the salvation of God for all people. He does not limit his love to a few privileged souls, but offers it to everyone. As he is the creator of all things and the Father of all peoples, so God wants also to be the Saviour of all. This is the reason why we are called to always nurture great trust and hope in his salvation, especially in our dealings with others: even those who seem to be far removed from the Lord are followed - or better yet, chased - by his impassioned love, by his faithful and humble love, for God's love is always humble, so humble!
The gospel account of the Magi describes their voyage from the East as a voyage of the soul, as a journey toward an encounter with Christ. They are attentive to the signs which indicate a presence; they are untiring in facing the difficulties which they encounter; they are courageous in assuming the implications for their lives which result from their encounter with the Lord. Life is like that: the life of a Christian is a journey: we must be careful, tireless and courageous. This is how a Christian must continue the journey. Careful walking, untiring and courageous. The experience of the Magi evokes the journey of every person toward Christ. As it was for the Magi, so it is for us: to seek God means to walk - and like I said: carefully, tirelessly and courageously - fixed on the heavens and following the visible sign of the star of the invisible God who speaks to our hearts. The star which is able to guide everyone toward Jesus is the Word of God, the Word which is found in the bible, in the gospels. The Word of God is a light that guides our journey, feeds our faith and brings it to life. The Word of God constantly renews our hearts and our communities. Therefore we should never forget to read it and to meditate on it every day, so that it can become for each of us, a flame that can be carried within us to illuminate our steps, and even the steps of those who walk alongside us, who are perhaps struggling to find their way to Christ. Always with the Word of God! The Word of God in hand: a small copy of the gospels in our pockets, in our purses, always, so that we can read it. Don't forget this: I always have the Word of God with me!
On this day of the Epiphany, our thoughts also reach our brothers and sisters in the Christian East, Catholics and Orthodox, many of whom will celebrate the Nativity of the Lord tomorrow. To all of them, we send our affectionate greetings.
I am happy to note that today, we celebrate the World Day of Missionary Childhood. This is the feast of children who live with joy the gift of faith and who pray for the light of Jesus to be shared with all children of the world. I encourage all educators to cultivate a missionary spirit in children. May they not be children and young people who are closed in upon themselves, but open: able to see and appreciate larger horizons; may their hearts always hasten toward these horizons so that there may arise among them, true witnesses to the tenderness of God and courageous proclaimers of the gospel.
We turn now to the Virgin Mary, and invoke her protection over the universal Church, that the gospel of Christ, the light of all peoples might continually spread throughout the world. May she accompany us always on our journey, so that we might continue on the way, always attentive, always untiring and always courageous.
At the conclusion of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:
Dear brothers and sisters,
I greet you all, Romans and pilgrims alike, renewing my greetings for peace and for every blessing in the Lord.
I greet the faithful who have come from Aachen (Germany), from Kilbeggan (Ireland), and the students from Northfield, Minnesota (United States of America); I greet the confirmandi from Romano di Lombardia and their parents; the faithful from Biassono, Verona, Arzignano, Acerra and from some dioceses in Puglia; and the young people from Opera Don Orione.
A special greeting to those who bring alive the historic and folkloric parade which is dedicated this year to the territory of the municipalities of Segni, Artena, Carpineto Romano, Gorga and Montelanico.
Always remember: life is a journey, journey well, seek God. Travel carefully, untiringly and courageously. And there is one more thing, one more thing: carefully, untiringly, courageously ... and what else? Travel with the light! And what is the light? The gospel, the Word of God. Always with the gospel: in your pocket, in your purse, so you can read it, it is always with us. Travel carefully, untiringly, courageously and with the light of the Word of God.
I wish you all a good feast day. Don't forget to pray for me and enjoy your lunch. Good bye!
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