The Pontiff indicated the places where we can encounter the Lord: in the restlessness that questions itself; in the risk of the journey and in the wonder of adoration.
Newsroom (07/01/2023 2:51 PM, Gaudium Press) On Friday morning, January 6, Pope Francis presided over a Eucharistic Celebration in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on the occasion of the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, also known as the Feast of the Magi.
In his homily, the Holy Father recalled that the Magi, in their search for the Lord, looked for him through the stars. He then indicated the places where we can find the Lord: in the restlessness that questions itself; in the risk of the journey and in the wonder of adoration.
Restlessness that Questions Itself
Explaining why we find the Lord in the restlessness that questions itself, Francis explained that “For the Magi, that was the beginning: the restlessness of those willing to ask questions. Filled with a yearning for the infinite, they scan the heavens, find themselves marveling at the brilliance of a star, and experience the quest for the transcendent that inspires the progress of civilizations and the tireless seeking of the human heart. The star left them with a question: Where is the child who has been born?”.
“the journey of faith begins whenever, by God’s grace, we make room for the restlessness that keeps us awake and alert. It begins when we are willing to ask questions, when we are dissatisfied with our daily routine and take seriously the challenges of each new day. When we step out of our comfort zone and decide to confront the uncomfortable aspects of life: our relationships with others, unexpected events, projects needing to be undertaken, dreams to be realized, fears to be faced, physical and mental sufferings. At such times, deep in our hearts, we find ourselves before the irrepressible questions that lead us to seek the Lord,” he assures.
The Risk of the Path
According to the Pontiff, the second place where we can meet the Lord is in the risk of the journey. “The Magi in fact did not simply study the heavens and contemplate the light of the star; they set out on a journey full of risks, without safe roads and clear maps. They wanted to discover this King of the Jews, to learn where he was born, where they could find him.”
“From Abraham, who set out for an unknown land, to the Magi, who set out behind the star, faith has always been a journey, a pilgrimage, a history of starts and restarts. Let us never forget that faith is a journey, a pilgrimage, a history of starts and restarts. Let us remind ourselves that a static faith does not grow; we cannot enclose faith in some personal devotion or confine it within the four walls of our churches; we need to bring it outside and to live it in a constant journey towards God and towards our brothers and sisters,” he stressed.
Wonder of Worship
The third place where it is possible to meet the Lord is in the wonder of adoration. After a long and painful journey, the Magi entered the house, ‘they saw the child with Mary his Mother and prostrating themselves, they adored Him. “This is what really matters: our restlessness, our questioning, our spiritual journeys and the practice of our faith must all converge in worship of the Lord. There they find their centre and source, for there everything begins, for the Lord himself enables us to feel and act. Everything starts and ends there, because the purpose of everything is not to achieve a personal goal or to receive glory for ourselves, but to encounter God.”
“Like the Magi, let us fall down and entrust ourselves to God in the wonder of worship. Let us worship God, not ourselves; let us worship God and not the false idols that seduce by the allure of prestige or power, or the allure of false news; let us love God and not bow down before passing things and evil thoughts, seductive yet hollow and empty” he concluded. (EPC)
Compiled by Camille Mittermeier
