Vigils Reading
THE FAITH OF THE MAGI
From a sermon by Blessed Guerric of Igny
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O with what joy does the faith of the Magi exult there as they look upon
the babe now reigning in that heavenly Jerusalem, him whom they adored as a
crying babe in Bethlehem. Here he was seen in the inn of the poor; there he is
seen in the palace of the angels; here in the swaddling clothes of infants, there in
the splendor of the saints; here in his mother’s lap, there on his Father’s throne.
Truly the faith of the blessed Magi deserved to be rewarded with so
blissful a sight. Their faith, although it saw in him only what was weak and
contemptible, could not however find in that a stumbling-block to prevent them
from worshiping God in man and man in God.
These first-fruits of the nations, then, these beginnings of the new-born
Church, aptly prefigure the stages by which faith progresses in individuals. For
just as they began with the sight of the star, advanced to the sight of the Child,
arrived at the sight of God, so in us faith is born by the preaching of heavenly
luminaries, it is strengthened by the sight of certain images which show us God
incarnate, through a confused reflection in a mirror, and will be brought to its
consummation when the naked truth of things will be seen as present and we
shall contemplate face to face what now is scarcely seen for a fleeting moment
now and then… Then faith itself will be transformed into knowledge, hope into
possession, desire into enjoyment…
Therefore the Lord said: “You are the light of the world”; and again: “Let
your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your
Father who is in heaven”. So they shine by their word, they shine by their
example, and by these two rays of light they proclaim the rising of eternal Light.
They preach with their voices one who is in heaven and commend him also by
the resemblance of a heavenly life.
Look up, brethren, into heaven, for your true home is in heaven. Look up
and direct the eyes of your mind at least on the brilliance of the stars, if you are
not able yet to gaze upon the sun’s disk. Admire the splendor of the saints,
imitate their faith, emulate their holiness. Those stars blaze like a flame and
show clearly that the Light of lights has risen. They lead to the cradle of the new
King, to the bedchamber of the Virgin Mother, faith’s inviolable mystery, indeed
they lead to the temple of the King, to the sanctuary of God the father, faith’s
reward that surpasses all understanding.
In the meantime however, while we are not able to search out the wisdom
of God which is hidden in mystery or to contemplate the majesty which is to be
our reward, let us be content to wonder at the brightness of the saints… Let us
exercise ourselves in the works of light and He will show it to us now from time
to time to encourage us in our work and afterwards will give it to us as a reward.