They faced a long and difficult journey to go and adore “the king of the Jews.” They were guided by the wondrous sign of a star, and when they finally reached their destination, rather than finding something spectacular, they found a baby with his mamma. They could have protested: “How many roads and how many sacrifices, only to find a poor child?” But they did not protest. Neither were they scandalized or disappointed. They did not complain. What did they do? They prostrated themselves. “Going into the house,” the Gospel says, "they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him."
Pope Francis offered this summary of today's feast on January 6, before praying the midday Angelus. The Holy Father's exhortation was to grow in humility like the Magi showed:
"It is not easy to adore this God," the Pope admitted, "whose divinity remains hidden and who does not appear triumphant."
But the key is in something the Gospel stresses: "It does not only say that the Magi worshipped, it emphasizes that they fell down and worshipped. Let us understand this detail: their worship and prostration go together. Performing this action, the Magi manifest their humble acceptance of the One who presented himself in humility. And so it is that they are open to worship God."
Their true wealth is not in the treasure they give the wee king, the Pope said. Their true wealth is their humility, "their awareness of their need of salvation. This is the example the Magi give us today."
Our examen
Don't stop -
Pope Francis said the Magi leave us with concrete advice:
