We joyfully celebrate his
manifestation to the peoples of the entire world, represented by the Magi who
came from the East to render homage to the King of the Jews. From its initial
appearance, therefore, the light of Christ began to attract to himself the
people "with whom he is pleased", of every tongue, people and
culture. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that moves hearts and minds to seek
truth, beauty, justice, peace. It is "men and women are on a journey of
discovery which is humanly unstoppable - a search for the truth and a search
for a person to whom they might entrust themselves". Men and women of
every generation need on their pilgrim journey to be directed: what star can we
therefore follow?
After coming to rest "over the place
where the child was", the purpose of the star that guided the Magi ended,
but its spiritual light is always present in the Word of the Gospel, which is
still able today to guide every person to Jesus. This same Word, which is none
other than the reflection of Christ, true man and true God, is authoritatively
echoed by the Church for every well-disposed heart. The Church too, therefore,
carries out the mission of the star for humanity. But something of the sort
could be said of each Christian, called to illuminate the path of the brethren
by word and example of life. How important it is that we Christians are
faithful to our vocation! Every authentic believer is always travelling his own
personal itinerary of faith, and at the same time, with the little light that
he carries within himself, can and must be a help to those alongside him, and
even help the one for whom finding the way that leads to Christ is difficult. ~
BENEDICT XVI January 6, 2008
