The Magi at Bethlehem represented the Gentiles in their vocation to the light of the Gospel. The way in which the Magi acted shows us the qualities that our faith ought to have. What is at first apparent is the generous fidelity of this faith…behold now a wondrous star appears to them. Its extraordinary brightness attracting their gaze, awakens their attention at the same time that an inward grace of illumination enlightens their souls. This grace prepared them to recognize the prerogatives of the One Whose Birth the star announced; it inspired them to set out to seek Him in order to offer Him their homage.
The Magi's fidelity to the inspiration of grace is wonderful. Doubt takes no hold upon their minds; without staying to reason, they immediately begin to carry out their design. Neither the indifference nor the skepticism of those who surround them, nor the disappearance of the star, nor the difficulties inherent to an expedition of this kind, nor the length and dangers of the way stop them. They obey the divine call without delay or hesitation. "We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage" (Mt 2:2).
In this the Magi are our models, whether it concerns the vocation to the faith, or whether it be a question of the call to perfection. There is indeed for every faithful soul a vocation to holiness: "Be holy because I am holy" (Lev 11:44). The apostle St. Paul assures us that from all eternity there exists for us a divine decree full of love containing this call: "He chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him" (Eph 1:4).
And for those whom He calls to holiness God makes all things work together unto good (Rom 8:28). The manifestation of this vocation is for each of us his or her star. It takes different forms, according to God's designs, our character, the circumstances wherein we live, the events that befall us; but it shines in the soul of each one.
And what is the end and object of this call ? For us as for the Magi, it is to lead us to Jesus. The Heavenly Father causes the star to shine in us; for, says Christ Himself, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him" (Jn 6:44).
If with fidelity we listen to the divine call, if we generously press onward with our gaze fixed upon the star, we shall come to Christ Who is the life of our souls. And whatever be our sins, our failings, our miseries, Jesus will welcome us with kindness. He has promised to do so: "Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me" (Jn 6:37).
Thus, whether it concerns the call to faith or holiness, we shall only find Christ and the life whereof He is the source on condition that we are attentive to grace and perseveringly faithful in seeking after divine union.
The Heavenly Father calls us to His Son by the inspiration of His grace. Like the Magi, as soon as the star shines in our hearts, we should instantly leave all: our sins, the occasions of sin, evil habits, infidelities, imperfections, attachment to creatures. Taking no account of criticism nor the opinion of men, nor the difficulties of the work to be done, we should set out at once to seek Jesus. He wills this whether we have lost Him by mortal sin, or whether, already possessing Him by sanctifying grace, He calls us to a closer and more intimate union with Himself.
Lord, I have seen Thy star, and I come to Thee: what wilt Thou have me to do ?
Dom Columba Marmion, O.S.B., "Epiphany," Christ In His Mysteries
The Magi's fidelity to the inspiration of grace is wonderful. Doubt takes no hold upon their minds; without staying to reason, they immediately begin to carry out their design. Neither the indifference nor the skepticism of those who surround them, nor the disappearance of the star, nor the difficulties inherent to an expedition of this kind, nor the length and dangers of the way stop them. They obey the divine call without delay or hesitation. "We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage" (Mt 2:2).
In this the Magi are our models, whether it concerns the vocation to the faith, or whether it be a question of the call to perfection. There is indeed for every faithful soul a vocation to holiness: "Be holy because I am holy" (Lev 11:44). The apostle St. Paul assures us that from all eternity there exists for us a divine decree full of love containing this call: "He chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him" (Eph 1:4).
And for those whom He calls to holiness God makes all things work together unto good (Rom 8:28). The manifestation of this vocation is for each of us his or her star. It takes different forms, according to God's designs, our character, the circumstances wherein we live, the events that befall us; but it shines in the soul of each one.
And what is the end and object of this call ? For us as for the Magi, it is to lead us to Jesus. The Heavenly Father causes the star to shine in us; for, says Christ Himself, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him" (Jn 6:44).
If with fidelity we listen to the divine call, if we generously press onward with our gaze fixed upon the star, we shall come to Christ Who is the life of our souls. And whatever be our sins, our failings, our miseries, Jesus will welcome us with kindness. He has promised to do so: "Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me" (Jn 6:37).
Thus, whether it concerns the call to faith or holiness, we shall only find Christ and the life whereof He is the source on condition that we are attentive to grace and perseveringly faithful in seeking after divine union.
The Heavenly Father calls us to His Son by the inspiration of His grace. Like the Magi, as soon as the star shines in our hearts, we should instantly leave all: our sins, the occasions of sin, evil habits, infidelities, imperfections, attachment to creatures. Taking no account of criticism nor the opinion of men, nor the difficulties of the work to be done, we should set out at once to seek Jesus. He wills this whether we have lost Him by mortal sin, or whether, already possessing Him by sanctifying grace, He calls us to a closer and more intimate union with Himself.
Lord, I have seen Thy star, and I come to Thee: what wilt Thou have me to do ?
Dom Columba Marmion, O.S.B., "Epiphany," Christ In His Mysteries
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