The paths that lead to Christ





These wise men arrived in Jerusalem; perhaps they thought that this was the end of their journey, but there, in the great city, they did not find the newborn king of the Jews. Perhaps - it seems humanly the most logical thing, if it is a question of looking for a king - they went directly to Herod's palace; but the ways of men are not often the ways of God. They inquire, they put the means at their disposal: where is he, they ask. And God, when we really want to find him, comes out, shows us the way, even through the means that might seem less suitable.


"Where is he who was born king of the Jews?" (Mt 2:2).


"I too, urged by that question, now contemplate Jesus, reclining in a manger (Lk 2:12), in a place that is fit only for beasts. Where, Lord, is your kingship: the diadem, the sword, the scepter? They belong to him, and he does not want them; he reigns wrapped in swaddling clothes. He is a helpless King, who appears helpless to us: he is a little child (...).


"Where is the King? Doesn't Jesus want to reign first of all in the heart, in your heart? That is why he becomes a Child, because who does not love a little child? Where is the King? Where is the Christ, whom the Holy Spirit seeks to form in our soul? "


And we, who, like the Magi, have set out many times in search of Christ, when we ask ourselves where he is, we realize that "he cannot be in the pride that separates us from God, he cannot be in the lack of charity that isolates us. Christ cannot be there; there man remains alone "


We must find the true signs that lead to the Child-God. In these men called to adore God we recognize the whole of humanity: that of the past, that of our days and that of the future. In these Magi we recognize ourselves, who are on the way to Christ through our family, social and professional activities, through our fidelity in the little things of each day.... St. Bonaventure comments that the star that guides us is threefold: Sacred Scripture, which we must know well; a star, which is always above for us to look at and find the right direction, which is Mary our Mother; and an interior, personal star, which are the graces of the Holy Spirit9. With these aids we will always find the path that leads to Bethlehem, to Jesus.


It is the Lord who has placed in our hearts the desire to seek him: It is not you who have chosen me, but I have chosen you. It is his continuous call that makes us find him in the Holy Gospel, in filial recourse to Mary, in prayer, in the sacraments and in the sacraments. It is his continuous call that makes us find him in the Holy Gospel, in the filial recourse to Mary, in prayer, in the sacraments, and in a very particular way in the Holy Eucharist, where he is always waiting for us. Our Heavenly Mother encourages us to hasten our steps, because her Son awaits us.

In a while, perhaps not too long, the star that we have been following throughout this earthly life will shine perpetually above our heads; and we will find Jesus seated on a throne, at the right hand of God the Father and wrapped in the fullness of his power and glory, and, very near, his Mother. Then will be the perfect epiphany, the radiant manifestation of the Son of God.



Hablar con Dios