By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Jan 6, 2025 / 12:05 pm
The star the Magi followed to find the Christ Child is a symbol of God’s love for all people and not a sign of the power and fame of those who think of themselves as “stars,” Pope Francis said on Epiphany.
In his homily at Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Jan. 6, the pope said the Magi “were satisfied by a different kind of light, symbolized by the star, which illumines and warms others by allowing itself to burn brightly and be consumed.”
“The star,” he continued, “speaks to us of that unique light that can show to all people the way to salvation and happiness, namely that of love. This is the only light that can make us happy.”
The solemnity of the Epiphany marks when the Magi, also called the Wise Men or three kings, arrived at the birthplace of Jesus bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. According to Scripture, when the Magi, who had been guided by a star from the east, found the child Jesus, they “prostrated themselves and did him homage.”
Italy and the Vatican celebrate Epiphany on the traditional date of Jan. 6, while in the United States, its celebration has been moved to the Sunday between Jan. 2 and Jan. 8.
During his homily, Pope Francis delved into the concept of true happiness and the source of this light in our lives. He emphasized that the ultimate source of happiness is found in the love of God, who incarnated as a man and sacrificed his life for us.
The Pope challenged Catholics to consider how they can embody this light for others, becoming beacons of hope with the assistance of God. He raised thought-provoking questions, asking, “Are we beacons of hope? Can we illuminate the path for others with the radiance of our faith?”
As part of the Epiphany papal Mass, a deacon announced the dates of significant “moveable feasts” in the Catholic Church for 2025 following the Gospel reading. This included Easter Sunday on April 20, which serves as the focal point for all other holy days like Ash Wednesday (March 5), the Ascension of the Lord (May 29), Pentecost (June 8), and the first Sunday of Advent (Nov. 30).
