Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The total contrast between the attitude of the Three Wise Men on the way to adore the Infant Jesus and that of Herod and the Jews, was the subject of Pope Benedict XVI's reflection before leading the recitation of the midday Angelus on January 6, the solemnity of the Epiphany. “Herod is alarmed – the Holy Father explained - , because he sees in the infant sought by the Three Wise Men, a rival for himself and his sons. Whereas the leaders and the people of Jerusalem appear to be more surprised than anything, as if awakening from lethargy ”.
Describing the unrest in Jerusalem, Benedict XVI continued, “it would appear that the Evangelist almost foresees the position of the high priests and the Sanhedrin, and of the people, with regard to Jesus in his public life. Certainly it is clear that knowledge of the Scriptures and the messianic prophecies does not lead everyone to accept Him and his word”. A crucial point in the theology of history was highlighted by the Pope: “the tragedy of the faithful love of God in the person of Jesus” and the attitude of hostility, or ambiguity, or superficiality which represents that of every person and the "world" – in the spiritual sense –, who rejects the mystery of the true God, who comes to us in the disarming meekness of love. “Jesus, the ‘king of the Jews, is the God of mercy and fidelity; he desires to reign in love and truth and calls us to conversion, to put aside our bad deeds and take decisively the path of goodness. In this sense therefore, we are all ‘Jerusalem’!”.
After the Angelus the Holy Father expressed Christmas greetings to “the brothers and sisters of the Eastern Churches who follow the Julian Calendar and celebrate the Nativity of Christ, tomorrow”. Visiting in spirit the Holy Land and the Middle East, the Pope said: “I follow with deep concern the violent armed conflict in the Gaza Strip. And as I reaffirm that hatred and rejection of dialogue lead only to war, today I encourage the initiatives and efforts of those who are concerned for peace and strive to help Israelis and Palestinians to sit around a table and talk. May God sustain these courageous ‘builders of peace!”
The Pope then addressed a “special thought” “to children who are the treasure and the blessing of the world and above all those who are denied a happy childhood”. He mentioned “dozens of children in recent months, and even in this Christmas season, in the eastern province of Democratic Congo, who have been captured by armed gangs in attacks on villages in which many were killed and wounded. I appeal to the perpetrators of this inhuman brutality, to return the children to the families and to a future of security and development, to which they and all the beloved people of that country have a right. At the same time I express my spiritual closeness to the local Churches in the area, affected in persons and structures, and I urge the bishops, clergy and lay faithful to be strong in hope”.
Lastly recalling that 2009 is the year of the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, “a commitment which the international community is called to renew to protect and promote childhood all over the world”, Benedict XVI entrusted to the Lord those who “work every day at the service of the new generations, helping them to build their own future. Moreover, Missionary Childhood Day, celebrated on the Feast of the Epiphany, is an opportune occasion to show how children can play an important part in spreading the Gospel and showing solidarity towards the peers in need. May the Lord reward them!” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 7/1/2009; righe 45, parole 665)
