The story of the Magi is our own story. We are discerning, searching and filled with many questions. We want to find the Truth. We are on a journey, a pilgrimage towards this truth.

There are many pointers that lead us to this Truth. One of them can be the word of God, as consulted by the priests and the scribes whom Herod gathered. Sometimes it can also be a star. And here, a star can mean many things: The Book of Nature, Knowledge or even Science. But then we see there is no contradiction between the scriptures and science. All of them led to Bethlehem.

Interestingly, in this account, Matthew says that they found the child not in a manger, but in a house. Some Church Fathers see in this house, the Church, where we find Our Lady and Jesus. And the Magi, these great men, adored the baby. How much Our Lady must have been moved by these gestures and these guests.

In the adoration of the Magi, there was a conversion, for they used to worship other gods. Pope Francis has often spoken about a new form of idolatry in the world: the idolatry of money, sensuality, pleasure. We should lay all that aside and adore and pay homage to our Lord like the Magi.

And then they opened and offered their gifts. We note a variety of gifts and very expensive gifts: gold, myrrh, and frankincense. Everyone offered what he could.

In the variety of gifts, we also see our own gifts. The Church, “the house” is the place where we come with our gifts and we have the freedom to put them at disposal of Christ and Our Lady. Maybe now not gold, frankincense, or myrrh, but other gifts as well: our virtues, our knowledge, our presence and even our intelligence. We put all of these at the feet of Jesus.

Finally, the Magi returned by a different route. This is so powerful. It shows conversion. Once we have encountered Christ, we cannot go back on the same old way. It would be dangerous now as it was then.

We pray that we too, who seek Christ, may find Him and after finding Him, love Him and serve Him.

#casmiroduorpadre