On the Feast of the Epiphany: Help Us Not to Close Our Hearts to the Gospel

In his homily for the feast of the Epiphany, on Tuesday January 6, Pope Benedict spoke of the star that was followed by the Magi.  He mentioned that this year is "specially dedicated to astronomy, on the 4th centenary of Galileo Galilei's first observations on the telescope".  He said that the Magi were probably astronomers who "noted the appearance of a new star, and interpreted this celestial phenomenon as the announcement of the birth of a new king, specifically, according to Sacred Scriptures, the king of the Jews (cfr Nm 24,17)." 

The Pope mentioned the Church Fathers, who saw in this birth of a new star the announcement of the birth of a new king.  The stars are not "governed by blind force", but "on the contrary, in everything and above everything, there is a personal will, the Spirit of God, which in Christ is revealed as Love."  He also presented Jesus as "the center of the cosmos and of history, because in him are united without confusion the Author and his work."  He then spoke of the hope of Christians and the Lordship of Christ over the Church.  The Pope's words then turned to the Pauline year, saying that God's grace made St. Paul into a "star" to lead people, with his preaching "nourished by the Holy Scriptures".

In his words at the midday Angelus on this feast day, he spoke of the contrast between the attitude of the Magi, who came to seek the child, and that of Herod and the people of Jerusalem with him.   He said, "May the Virgin Mary, who accepted Jesus in faith, help us not to close our hearts to the Gospel of salvation. Rather, let us allow ourselves to be conquered and transformed by him, Emmanuel, God who has come among us to make us a gift of his peace and his love."  After the Angelus, he spoke of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and of children kidnapped in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

An English translation of the homily is available at Papa Ratzinger Forum (which also has photos).  English translations of the Holy Father's words at the Angelus are available at Papa Ratzinger Forum and Zenit.  Articles are available at Asia News, Zenit, Catholic News Agency, and Catholic News Service, among others.