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Buenos Aires, Sunday, January 7, 2007

Father Oscar Pezzarini

Wise men who set an example

The Wise Men made a long trip seeking the God child which had been born, they did so convinced that this was the best thing to do. Recalling the encounter of the Magi with the God child I think this can make us reflect on some of the features these men had and maybe many things would improve in our lives if we too had them. It comes to my mind these could be a fine gift we could ask from the Three Kings for each and everyone of us.

These days Church Liturgy closes the so-called Christmas Time after the Feast of the Birth of Christ and the first day of the year, the celebration of the Feast of the Virgin Mary Mother of God, with the Feast of the Revelation of Jesus to Humanity, Epiphany or what we commonly know as “Día de Reyes, the Day of the Magi”, on which the long journey of some Wise Men from the Orient who followed the sign of a star which prompted them to search after the newborn Messiah is recalled.

These Wise Men made a long trip seeking the God child which had been born, they did so convinced that this was the best thing to do.

Recalling the encounter of the Magi with the God child I think this can make us reflect on some of the features these men had and maybe many things would improve in our lives if we too had them:

• Faith and reflection: Surely many saw the star but they did not look out carefully, maybe not all of them construed it objectively. The Wise Men reflected and realized that God announced something to them through it. They realized it was a “sign” like so many others which show up in our lives which are like “stars” by means of which God talks to us, which can be very diversified: a family or personal event, a joy or a trial, someone who talks to us or whom we run into “just by chance”. Some see it and construe it at their discretion, if I like it, fine, else I draw aside, others don't even realize it and remain unconcerned, and there are those who like the Magi reflect and try to listen and understand what God wants to tell them by means of this sign.
• Decision: The Wise Men hit the road with determination, with courage, overcoming doubts and the temptation of thinking they were pursueing something that might seem “delusive”. The same happens frequently with Christians, they receive signs which they know they must follow, but they lack the necessary courage and decision needed “to be” Christians without being ashamed of it.
• Perseverance: The Magi walked until they found the Messiah, they overcame difficulties, at some point the star hid from their sight, but they went on searching. Such must be a Chrisitan, perseverant day after day and not only when things are easygoing and there are no obstacles.
• Magnanimity: The Magi present Him generous gifts, and this must be the characteristic trait of every Christian, above all with those who are most in need, who are the image of Jesus Himself.

These are some of the features of the Wise Men who visited Jesus, and these are features we should grow ourselves, it comes to my mind these could be a fine gift we could ask from the Three Kings for each and everyone of us.

Father Oscar Pezzarini
Provincial Superior of the Work of Don Orione in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Mexico

Father Oscar Pezzarini together with Fr. Leonardo Abregú makes us reflect on Saturdays from 8 to 12 AM (GMT-03:00)with "VENTANA A LA VIDA", the Don Orione radio program he conducts on FM PROVIDENCIA, 90.3 MHz together with some residents of the Claypole Cottolengo (Raúl Romero, María Laura Andrada, Alberto Zoroch, Américo Torres), with the production of Roberto Beluzzo and Ignacio Cavalli as technical operator. You can also listen to FM PROVIDENCIA by clicking here.

Pequeño Cottolengo Don Orione 0800-333-6746 in Argentina, or +54 (11) 4268-7722 from abroad.

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