Vatican City, 6 January 2014 (VIS) –
After celebrating Mass in the Vatican Basilica on the occasion of the
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, the Holy Father appeared at
the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace to pray the
Angelus with the faithful and pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's
Square.
Pope Francis remarked that Pope
emeritus Benedict XVI, in his book “The Infancy Narratives”, had
“magnificently” commented on the episode of the arrival of the
Magi in Bethlehem. “This was the first 'manifestation' of Christ to
the people. Therefore, the Epiphany emphasizes the universal openness
of the salvation brought by Jesus”.
“This festivity shows us a dual
movement: on the one hand, the movement of God towards the world,
towards humanity – the entire history of salvation, which
culminates in Jesus – and on the other, the movement of mankind
towards God – religions, the quest for the truth, the path of
nations towards peace, justice and freedom. This dual movement is
driven by mutual attraction. What attracts God? It is His love for
us: we are his children, He loves us, and he wants to liberate us
from evil, from disease, from death, and to bring us into His home,
His Kingdom”.
“On our part, there is also love and
desire: goodness and truth attract us, truth, life, happiness and
beauty call to us ...Jesus is the meeting point for this mutual
attraction and this dual movement. He is God and man: Jesus. God and
man. But God always takes the initiative. God's love always precedes
our own!”
“All the Church is inside this
movement of God towards the world; and her joy is the Gospel, which
reflects the light of Christ. The Church is made up of those who have
experienced this attraction and carry it inside, in the heart of
their lives. To those who feel far from God and the Church, to all
those who are fearful or indifferent, I would like to say this: the
Lord, with great respect and love, is also calling you to be a part
of His people! The Lord calls to you, seeks you and awaits you. The
Lord does not proselytise, He gives love, and this love seeks you and
awaits you, you who at the moment do not believe or are far from Him.
And this is God's love”.
After the Marian prayer, the Pope gave
his good wishes to the brothers and sisters of the Oriental Churches,
who celebrate Christmas on 7 January, and recalled that the Epiphany
is the day of missionary children, as proposed by the Pontifical
Association of the Holy Childhood.
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