The magi did not set out

For they had seen the star,

but they saw the star

Because they had set out.

May the Most High enlighten us with His Divine Light

And give us the enthusiasm of walking.

Sometimes we walk with tired legs,

we are exhausted and convinced that we are always standing still.

Sometimes we walk joyfully and buoyantly,

With divine enthusiasm on us.

Sometimes we take uncertain steps

Amidst a thousand doubts about which way to go.

Sometimes we look so much at Heaven,

that we feel touched and protected by God.

Sometimes we advance backward,

we are displeased with ourselves and angry with everything.

Sometimes we smile at the world,

lulled by tenderness and Heaven.

Sometimes we stop disappointed,

certain that it is all in vain and the star is gone.

Most High, Almighty, Lord of the Stars,

thou knowest our path,

whatever it may be,

uphold our steps,

strengthen our faith,

send us comet stars

And make us happy wayfarers

toward the road traced out by You

In Thy Most Holy Divine Will.

Fiat!

Antonella Bucci

Dear brothers and sisters, Fiat

We celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, a special feast for our faith and the faith in the world. We Know that Epiphany means the manifestation of Jesus to all peoples, today represented by the Magi, who arrived in Bethlehem from the East to pay homage to the King of the Jews, whose birth they had learned about by the appearance of a new star in the sky (cf. Mt 2:1-12). In fact, before the arrival of the Magi, this event was little known beyond the family circle, other than to Mary and Joseph, and probably to other relatives, it was known by the shepherds of Bethlehem. Having heard the joyful announcement, they had hastened to see the baby while he was still lying in the manger. The coming of the Messiah, the expectation of the people foretold by the Prophets, remained thus initially remained hidden.

Until, that is, those mysterious figures — the Magi — arrived in Jerusalem to ask for news of the “King of the Jews,” who had just been born. Obviously, as it had to do with a king, they went to the royal palace where Herod resided. But he did not know anything about this birth and, very worried, immediately summoned the priests and scribes who, based on Micah’s famous prophecy (cf. 5:1), affirmed that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. And in fact, setting out in that direction, the Magi saw the star again, which led them to the place where Jesus was. Having entered, they prostrated themselves and adored him, offering him symbolic gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh.

This is the Epiphany, the manifestation: the coming and the adoration of the Magi is the first sign of the unique identity of the Son of God who is also Son of the Virgin Mary. From that moment the question began to be asked that would accompany the whole life of Christ, and that in different ways passes through the centuries: who is this Jesus?

This is the question that the Church wishes to awaken in the hearts of all: who is Jesus? This is the spiritual concern that drives the mission of the Church: to make known Jesus, his Gospel, so that every man may discover in his human face the Face of God, and be illumined by his mystery of love. The Epiphany foretells the universal openness of the Church, her call to evangelize all peoples. But the Epiphany also tells us how the Church realizes this mission: by reflecting the light of Christ and proclaiming his Word.

Christians are called to imitate the service that the star rendered to the Magi. We must shine out as children of light, so as to attract all people to the beauty of the Kingdom of God. And to those who seek the truth, we must offer the Word of God, which leads us to recognize in Jesus “the true God and eternal life” (1 Jn 5:20).

A star led the Magi to Bethlehem so that they could discover “the king of the Jews born” and worship him.

Matthew adds in his Gospel: “going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. “.

The journey of the Magi from the East, their search, the star that appeared to them, the sight of the Savior and their adoration to him are the stages that peoples and individuals must make on their way to the Savior of the world. The light and its call are not things that passed as the history of the faith of each of us refers to them.

To experience the joy of seeing Christ, of worshiping Him and offering him their gifts, the Magi went through some situations in which they always had to ask, always follow the sign sent to them by God. Firmness, constancy, above all in faith, it is impossible without sacrifice, but it is precisely from here that the unspeakable joy in contemplating God who reveals Himself to us, is born, as well as the joy of giving or offer oneself to God. “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. “

We can see “the star” in the doctrine and sacraments of the Church, in the signs of the times, in the wise words and good advice that constitute the answer to our questions about salvation and our Savior.

On January 6, 1901, Luisa, in her diary, said that, as she was outside of herself, she seemed to see the moment when the holy Magi arrived at the grotto of Bethlehem. As they arrived in the presence of the Baby, Jesus was pleased to let the rays of His Divinity shine externally, communicating Himself to the Magi in three ways – through love, through beauty and through power – in such a way that they remained enraptured and engrossed in the presence of Little Baby Jesus; so much so, that if the Lord had not withdrawn again the rays of His Divinity internally, they would have remained there forever, unable to move any more. Then, as the Baby withdrew His Divinity, the holy Magi returned into themselves; they stirred themselves, stupefied, in seeing an excess of love so great, because through that light the Lord had let them understand the mystery of the Incarnation. Then they stood up and offered their gifts to the Queen Mother, and She spoke with them at length. She inculcated into them, strongly, not only their own salvation, but also taking to heart the salvation of their peoples, with no fear even to lay down their lives to obtain the intent.

After this, Luisa withdrew into herself and she found herself together with Jesus. He wanted her to tell Him something, but she saw herself so bad and confused that she would not dare to tell Him anything. Seeing that she was not saying anything, He Himself continued to speak about the holy Magi, telling her that by having communicated Himself to the Magi in three ways, He obtained for them three effects, because He never communicate Himself to souls uselessly; rather, they always receive some profit for themselves. So, as He communicated Himself through love, they obtained detachment from themselves; through beauty, they obtained contempt of earthly things; and through power, their hearts remained all bound to Him, and they obtained the bravery to lay down their blood and life for Him.

Let us rejoice also, for the fact that God, in His mercy, always watching on the one who walks guided by a star, reveals to us in many ways the true light, Saviour Christ The King.

Once again, we feel within us profound gratitude to Mary, the Mother of Jesus. She is the perfect image of the Church which gives the light of Christ to the world: she is the Star of evangelization. “Respice Stellam,” St Bernard says to us: look to the Star, you who go in search of truth and peace; turn your gaze to Mary, and she will show you Jesus, light for every person and for all peoples.

don Marco

https://www.luisapiccarretaofficial.org/