FOR THE FEAST OF THE ADORATION OF THE KINGS

96.1                            First Point

We cannot sufficiently admire the faith of the holy Magi since nothing was found in Israel, as Saint Bernard says, to match the faith shown by these admirable Gentiles. They behold a new, extraordinary star. At this sight they leave for a distant land to seek one whom they do not know, who is not known even in his own land.

        Enlightened by this star and even more so by the light of faith, they go to announce a new Sun of Justice [i] in the place where he was born. They surprise everyone with the proclamation of this news. They themselves are not surprised by it because they are enlightened by the true Light and because it is by faith alone, according to Saint Paul, that we make our way toward Jesus Christ. [ii]

        The star did not appear to them in vain, for this sight caused them to receive the grace of God, and it made this day a day of salvation for them, [iii] because they showed themselves most faithful to the divine inspiration.

        Are we attentive to the inspirations we receive from God? Are we as quick to follow them as these holy Magi were in letting themselves be led by the star which guided them? Frequently the salvation and happiness of a soul depend on this prompt fidelity to grace.

        God graciously spoke to Samuel, because three times in a row as soon as he heard God's voice, [iv] he presented himself to listen to him. Saint Paul merited to be entirely converted because he was at once faithful to the voice of Jesus Christ who called him. [v] You should do just as they did.

96.2                            Second Point

When the Magi entered Jerusalem and Herod's palace, they asked, Where has the new born King of the Jews been born?[vi] What a question to ask in the palace of the prince himself! It is true, says Saint Augustine, that several kings had been born in Judea and that Herod himself, who was then on the throne, had several children. However, it was not to adore or to acknowledge as king any of these that the Magi had come, because it was for none of them that heaven had brought them. It is true, Saint Fulgentius says, that a short time earlier a son had been born to Herod in his palace; they had placed him in a silver cradle, and all Judea paid him homage. But the Magi disdained him and did not even mention him in the king's palace.

        What holy audacity in our Magi, to enter the capital and make their way even to Herod's throne! They feared nothing because the faith which inspired them and the grandeur of him whom they were seeking caused them to forget and even to scorn all human considerations, considering the king to whom they were speaking to be infinitely beneath the one announced to them by the star.

        We cannot admire too much how these Gentiles, brought up in the errors of paganism, had such a lively faith and how they were so faithful to follow its lights. Their faith was much increased and strengthened when Herod gathered all the princes of the priests and the scribes of the people and found out from them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, in Bethlehem. [vii] Thereupon he told the Magi that when they found this Child whom they were seeking, he himself would go to adore him. [viii]

        But the Magi then left without concerning themselves any further about King Herod. So, too, should faith make you despise all that the world esteems.

96.3                            Third Point

The Magi left the city of Jerusalem and proceeded to the poor village of Bethlehem to find there the King whom they were seeking. They were led there by the star, which moved ahead of them until it reached the place where the Child was and stopped there. [ix] Then the Magi, entered the stable and found a little Child wrapped in poor swaddling clothes in the company of his mother, Mary. [x]

        At this sight how could the Magi not fear to have been deceived; are these the marks of a king? asks Saint Bernard. Where is his palace, his throne, his court? The stable, the saint says, is his palace, the crib serves as his throne, and his court is the company of the Most Blessed Virgin and Saint Joseph. This stable does not appear to them deserving of disdain; these poor swaddling clothes are not shocking in their eyes; they feel no disappointment to see a poor child being nursed by his mother.

        They prostrate themselves before him, [xi] says the Gospel. They honor him as their King and adore him as their God. Behold the faith that profoundly filled their spirit and caused them to respond in this way.

        Recognize Jesus beneath the poor rags of the children whom you have to instruct. Adore him in them. Love poverty and honor the poor after the example of the Magi, for poverty should be dear to you who are responsible for the instruction of the poor. May faith lead you to do this with affection and zeal, because these children are the members of Jesus Christ. [xii] In this way this divine Savior will be pleased with you, and you will find him, because he always loved the poor and poverty.

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This feast is now generally celebrated on the Sunday between January 2 and January 8, and is known as the Epiphany because it originated in the Greek-speaking Near East where the word means a showing, or a manifestation. It is the feast of the manifestation to the world at large in the persons of the three Wise Men of the majesty and divinity of the newborn Savior. [xiii]