At the conclusion of the Eucharistic celebration held inside the Vatican Basilica on today's Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, at noon local time in Rome (6:00am EST), 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 gathered in Saint Peter's Square.
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
Today, the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, is the feast of the manifestation of Jesus, symbolized by light. In the prophetic texts this light is promised: light is promised. Isaiah, in fact, turns to Jerusalem with these words: Arise, shine, for your light is coming, the glory of the Lord shines upon you (Is 60:1). The prophet's invitation - to rise up because the light is coming - seems surprising, because it is placed in the aftermath of the hard exile and the numerous trials that the people had experienced.
Today's invitation also resonates for us who have celebrated the Birth of Jesus and encourages us to allow ourselves be enlightened by the light of Bethlehem. We too are invited not to stop at the outward signs of the event, but to start afresh from it and to continue our journey of men and women, and of all believers, in a newness of life.
The light that the prophet Isaiah had foretold in the Gospel is present and met. And Jesus, born in Bethlehem, the city of David, came to bring salvation to those who were nearby and those who were far away: to everyone. The evangelist Matthew shows different ways in which we can meet Christ and react to his presence. For example, Herod and the scribes of Jerusalem have hard hearts, an attitude which persists and refuses the visit of the Christ Child. It is possible for us to close out the light. They represent those who, even in our day, are afraid of the coming of Jesus and close their hearts to their brothers and sisters who need help. Herod is afraid of losing power and does not think of what is truly best for the people, but only of his personal self-interest. The scribes and the leaders of the people are afraid because they can not look beyond their own certainties, thus failing to grasp the newness that is in Jesus.
On the other hand, the experience of the Magi is very different (cf Mt 2:1-12). Coming from the East, they represent all peoples far from traditional Jewish faith. Yet, they allow themselves to be guided by the star and to face a long and risky journey in order to arrive at their destination and to know the truth about the Messiah. The Magi were open to novelty, and they revealed the greatest and most surprising novelty in history: God made man. The Magi prostrate themselves before Jesus and offer him symbolic gifts: gold, incense and myrrh; because the search for the Lord implies not only perseverance on the path, but also generosity of the heart. And finally, they returned to their own country (Mt 2:12); and the Gospel says that they returned by another way. Brothers and sisters, every time a man or a woman meets Jesus, he changes his ways, comes back to life in a different way, he is renewed, by another way. They returned to their country carrying within themselves the mystery of that humble and poor King; we can imagine that they told everyone about their lived experience: the salvation offered by God in Christ is for all men, near and far. It is not possible to take possession of the Child: He is a gift for everyone.
We too can do this; let us be silent in our hearts and allow ourselves to be illuminated by the light of Jesus that comes from Bethlehem. Let us not allow our fears to close our hearts, but let us discover the courage to open ourselves to this light that is mild and discreet. Then, like the Magi, we will experience a very great joy (Mt 2:10) that we will not be able to keep for ourselves. May the Virgin Mary sustain us on this journey; she is the star that leads us to Jesus, the Mother who shows Jesus to the Magi and to all those who approach her.
Following the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:
Dear brothers and sisters,
For several days, forty-nine people rescued in the Mediterranean Sea have been on board two NGO ships, looking for a safe haven to land. I address a heartfelt appeal to European leaders to demonstrate their solidarity with these people.
Some Eastern, Catholic and Orthodox Churches, following the Julian calendar, will celebrate Christmas tomorrow. To them I address my cordial and fraternal greetings in the sign of communion among all of us Christians, who recognize Jesus as Lord and Saviour. To all of them, I say Merry Christmas!
The Epiphany is also Youth Mission Day, which this year invites young missionaries to be athletes for Jesus, to witness the Gospel in their families, at school and in places of leisure.
I extend my cordial greetings to all of you, individual pilgrims, families, parishes and associations coming from Italy and from different countries. In particular I greet the faithful of Marsala, Peveragno and San Martino in Rio, the boys from Bonate Sotto who have recently been Confirmed and the Fraterna Domus group.
A special greeting to the historical-folkloric procession that promotes the values of the Epiphany and which is dedicated this year to the territory of Abruzzo. I would also like to mention the procession of the Magi that takes place in many cities in Poland with a large participation of families and associations. And I also greet the musicians of the band that I heard playing. Keep on playing, spreading the joy of this Epiphany day.
To all of you, I wish you a good feast day. And please, don't forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch ad good bye!
(Original text in Italian)
Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
prior to the recitation of the Angelus
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
Today, the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, is the feast of the manifestation of Jesus, symbolized by light. In the prophetic texts this light is promised: light is promised. Isaiah, in fact, turns to Jerusalem with these words: Arise, shine, for your light is coming, the glory of the Lord shines upon you (Is 60:1). The prophet's invitation - to rise up because the light is coming - seems surprising, because it is placed in the aftermath of the hard exile and the numerous trials that the people had experienced.
Today's invitation also resonates for us who have celebrated the Birth of Jesus and encourages us to allow ourselves be enlightened by the light of Bethlehem. We too are invited not to stop at the outward signs of the event, but to start afresh from it and to continue our journey of men and women, and of all believers, in a newness of life.
The light that the prophet Isaiah had foretold in the Gospel is present and met. And Jesus, born in Bethlehem, the city of David, came to bring salvation to those who were nearby and those who were far away: to everyone. The evangelist Matthew shows different ways in which we can meet Christ and react to his presence. For example, Herod and the scribes of Jerusalem have hard hearts, an attitude which persists and refuses the visit of the Christ Child. It is possible for us to close out the light. They represent those who, even in our day, are afraid of the coming of Jesus and close their hearts to their brothers and sisters who need help. Herod is afraid of losing power and does not think of what is truly best for the people, but only of his personal self-interest. The scribes and the leaders of the people are afraid because they can not look beyond their own certainties, thus failing to grasp the newness that is in Jesus.
On the other hand, the experience of the Magi is very different (cf Mt 2:1-12). Coming from the East, they represent all peoples far from traditional Jewish faith. Yet, they allow themselves to be guided by the star and to face a long and risky journey in order to arrive at their destination and to know the truth about the Messiah. The Magi were open to novelty, and they revealed the greatest and most surprising novelty in history: God made man. The Magi prostrate themselves before Jesus and offer him symbolic gifts: gold, incense and myrrh; because the search for the Lord implies not only perseverance on the path, but also generosity of the heart. And finally, they returned to their own country (Mt 2:12); and the Gospel says that they returned by another way. Brothers and sisters, every time a man or a woman meets Jesus, he changes his ways, comes back to life in a different way, he is renewed, by another way. They returned to their country carrying within themselves the mystery of that humble and poor King; we can imagine that they told everyone about their lived experience: the salvation offered by God in Christ is for all men, near and far. It is not possible to take possession of the Child: He is a gift for everyone.
We too can do this; let us be silent in our hearts and allow ourselves to be illuminated by the light of Jesus that comes from Bethlehem. Let us not allow our fears to close our hearts, but let us discover the courage to open ourselves to this light that is mild and discreet. Then, like the Magi, we will experience a very great joy (Mt 2:10) that we will not be able to keep for ourselves. May the Virgin Mary sustain us on this journey; she is the star that leads us to Jesus, the Mother who shows Jesus to the Magi and to all those who approach her.
Following the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:
Dear brothers and sisters,
For several days, forty-nine people rescued in the Mediterranean Sea have been on board two NGO ships, looking for a safe haven to land. I address a heartfelt appeal to European leaders to demonstrate their solidarity with these people.
Some Eastern, Catholic and Orthodox Churches, following the Julian calendar, will celebrate Christmas tomorrow. To them I address my cordial and fraternal greetings in the sign of communion among all of us Christians, who recognize Jesus as Lord and Saviour. To all of them, I say Merry Christmas!
The Epiphany is also Youth Mission Day, which this year invites young missionaries to be athletes for Jesus, to witness the Gospel in their families, at school and in places of leisure.
I extend my cordial greetings to all of you, individual pilgrims, families, parishes and associations coming from Italy and from different countries. In particular I greet the faithful of Marsala, Peveragno and San Martino in Rio, the boys from Bonate Sotto who have recently been Confirmed and the Fraterna Domus group.
A special greeting to the historical-folkloric procession that promotes the values of the Epiphany and which is dedicated this year to the territory of Abruzzo. I would also like to mention the procession of the Magi that takes place in many cities in Poland with a large participation of families and associations. And I also greet the musicians of the band that I heard playing. Keep on playing, spreading the joy of this Epiphany day.
To all of you, I wish you a good feast day. And please, don't forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch ad good bye!
(Original text in Italian)
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