If we look closely at the story, the Pope says, we will discover something a bit strange ...
Before praying the midday Angelus on January 6, 2025, Pope Francis asked Catholics if we feel closer to the shepherds and wise men who came to see Jesus in the manger or to the people and priests of Jerusalem who did not go.
ANDREAS SOLARO | AFP
The Pope reflected:
If we look closely, we will discover something a bit strange: while these wise men from far away come to find Jesus, those who were close by do not take one step towards the grotto in Bethlehem. Drawn and guided by the star, the Magi face enormous expenses, make their time available, and accept the many risks and uncertainties of which there was no shortage in those times.
And yet they overcome every difficulty to get to see the King Messiah, because they know that something unique is happening in the history of humanity, and they do not want to miss the event. They had inspiration within, and they followed it.
Instead, those who live in Jerusalem, who should be the happiest and the most prompt to rush, stay still. The priests and theologians correctly interpret the Sacred Scriptures and provide directions to the Magi about where to find the Messiah, but they do not move from their “desks.” They are satisfied with what they have, and they do not go seeking; they do not think it is worth the effort to leave Jerusalem.
This fact, sisters and brothers, makes us reflect and in a certain sense provokes us, because it raises a question: To what category do we, I, belong today? Are we more similar to the shepherds, who on the very night itself go in haste to the grotto, and the Magi from the east, who set out confidently in search of the Son of God made man; or are we more similar to those who, despite being physically very close to Him, do not open the doors of their heart and their life, remaining closed and insensitive to Jesus’ presence? Let us ask ourselves this question. To which group of people do I belong?
According to a story, a fourth King arrives late in Jerusalem, precisely during Jesus’ crucifixion – this is a beautiful story; it is not historical, but it is a beautiful story – because he stopped along the way to help those in need, giving them the precious gifts he had brought for Jesus. Finally, an old man arrived and said to him: “In truth I say to you, all that you have done for the least of your brothers, you have done it for me.” The Lord knows everything that we have done for others.
Let us ask the Virgin Mary to help us so that, imitating the shepherds and the Magi, we are able to recognize Jesus close by, in the poor, in the Eucharist, in the abandoned, in our brother, in our sister.
On this day -- a holiday in the Vatican and in Italy -- which celebrates the manifestation of Jesus to the Magi who came from the East, Pope Francis came to the window of the Apostolic Palace to pray the Angelus prayer with the crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square.
The Square was filled with those in costumes for the feast day. And it is also World Mission Day for Children, and the Pope thus gave a special greeting to children.
The Pope also wished a happy Christmas to Eastern Christians:
I am pleased to convey my warmest wishes to the ecclesial communities of the east, who celebrate Holy Christmas tomorrow. I assure in a special way my prayer for those who suffer as a result of ongoing conflicts. May Jesus, Prince of Peace, bring peace and serenity to all of them!
