9 January 2013 Offering of the Magi The Magi diligently observed an Oriental custom that no one comes before a king or powerful prince without offering him presents. After having adored the Infant Jesus by prostrating themselves, they opened their treasures, and “offered Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh” (Mt 2:11). These gifts were the most precious products of their native land; but by a secret disposition of Providence, they also represent the three eminent characteristics of the Messiah. His eternal and universal royalty is represented by gold; His divinity by frankincense; and His humanity by myrrh. “Thou shalt not appear before Me empty” (Ex 3:15) was the Lord’s precept to the people of Israel after He had enriched them with the spoils of Egypt. He gives the same to us, whom he has enriched with the infinite merits of His blood and His death. Thus, it is ‘a want of devotion if we adore God without offering Him something’ (St Chrysostom). At the foot of the Tabernacle, let us add to our acts of adoration the offering of a mortification or generous resolution. The feelings which accompanied the Magi’s gifts were their chief merit. ‘Feelings of joy and generosity’ -- they offered the superb gifts with all their hearts. ‘Feelings of humility’ -- grieved not to be able to offer gifts a thousand times more precious. ‘Feelings of love and the tenderest filial devotion’ -- to the service of their King and God. God values our gifts, not in terms of their actual worth, but based on the accompanying feelings (recall the poor widow in Lk 21:2 and Mk 12:42). With what goodwill must he have received the gifts of the holy Kings, looking on them with eyes full of love! And he is never outdone in generosity. Undoubtedly, in return he gave them infinitely more precious gifts: of grace and of final perseverance. How consoling and encouraging are these thoughts! They bring to mind the promise of Jesus Christ -- that our smallest offerings, our most trifling good actions, even if it be but ‘a drop of cold water’ (cf Mt 24:40), in his name, will not lose their reward. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp24-6 Who is the devil? A personal, real and individual being; an indivisible spirit who separated himself from God forever by his sin, “because the devil and the other demons were created naturally good by God; but they became bad by themselves” (Fourth Lateran Council, Dz 800 (428). “He is a liar and the father of lies” (Jn 8:44), of sin, discord, affliction, hatred, all that is absurd and evil on earth (cf Heb 2:14). The astute and envious serpent who brings death to the world (cf Wis 2:24), the enemy who sows evil in man’s heart (cf Mt 13:28-39); the only being we must fear if we are not close to God. His avowed sole purpose is our perdition. “It all began with his rejection of God and God’s kingdom, when he usurped his sovereign rights and tried to overturn the economy of salvation and the very ordering of creation itself. This attitude [is] reflected in the words of the tempter to our first parents: ‘You will be like gods.’ This is how the evil spirit endeavours to transplant into man the attitude of proud rivalry, of insubordination and opposition to God ...” (John Paul II, “General Audience”, 13 August 1986) The devil is the first cause of evil, disorders and breaks in families and in society. In tempting us, the devil deceives because he can present only a false good and fictitious happiness, which inevitably turns into loneliness and bitterness. Outside of God true good or happiness do not, and cannot, exist; only darkness, emptiness and endless misery. The devil’s limited power is under the dominion and sovereignty of God, the only Lord of the universe. The devil cannot violate our liberty. “It is a certain fact that the devil cannot seduce anybody if he does not freely give to the devil the consent of his will.” (Cassian, “Conferences”, 7) The holy ‘Curé d’Ars’ [St Jean Marie Vianney] says “the devil is a great chained dog which puts people to flight, makes a great noise, but only bites those who come too close” (“Sermon on Temptations”). “No human power can vanquish him and only God’s light can unmask the snares that he lays. The soul that would overcome the power of the devil will fail to do so without prayer, nor will it recognize his deceitful traps without the aid of mortification and humility.” (St John of the Cross, “The Spiritual Canticle”, 3, 9) The life of Jesus was summarized in the words, “He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil” (Acts 10:38). And St John, speaking about the cause of the Incarnation, explains, “The Son of God was revealed ... to destroy the works of the devil” (1 Jn 3:8). Christ is the true victor over the devil. Jesus said in speaking about his death, “Now the ruler of this world will be driven out” (Jn 12:31). God “decided to enter into the history of mankind in a new and definitive manner by sending his own Son in human flesh, so that through him He might snatch men from the power of darkness and of satan” (cf Col 1:3, Acts 10:38). (Second Vatican Council, “Ad gentes”, 3) Our Lord has left us many means of conquering and living in this world with peace and joy of a good Christian. These include prayer, mortification, frequent reception of Holy Communion and Sacrament of Penance, and love for Our Lady. We are always safe in her company. Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:33-6 The Time of Truth “Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Lk 14:27) So it is a time of deep truth, truth which converts, restores hope, puts everything in its place, reconciles and lets optimism arise. It is a time which makes us think about our relations with ‘Our Father’. A time which reestablishes the order that ought to reign among brothers and sisters. A time which makes us responsible for one another and frees us from our egoisms, our pettinesses, our meannesses, our pride. A time which enlightens us and lets us understand better that we also must serve, like Christ. ... A time of Truth. Like the Good Samaritan, it makes us halt on the way and recognize our brother, put our time and goods at his service in daily sharing. The Good Samaritan is the Church! The Good Samaritan is each of us! Through vocation! Through duty! The Good Samaritan lives charity. And this is our responsibility! We are called to others, to our brethren. Where is our love in it? Where is our Truth? Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, pp110-11 • Our Lady of Bessiere, in Limousin, [France]. A certain heretic, who had derided the devotion, paid to this image, saw his house consumed, without being able to discover whence the fire originated. (Bethlehem Observer Historical Calendar); (Triple Couronne, book 1, Trait. 2, S. 10, n. 6)."] (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady beyond the Tiber (Rome). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com.) • Our Lady of Mercy of Absam. Innsbruck, Austria 1797. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of Clemency or Mercy of Absam. Innsbruck, Austria. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)