Adoration of the Magi by Jacopo Bassano
Holy Infancy of Our Lord
“Behold there came Magi from the East, to Jerusalem, saying: Where is he
that is born King of the Jews?”— Matthew 2: 1
Contemplate the holy Infant in his humble crib; he is
so lovely, that he attracts all to him; the angels descend from heaven to sing
his praises; shepherds come to acknowledge him as the Messiah who could save
the world; the Magi arrive from the East to offer their tribute of homage and
adoration.
What is this
power, hidden under the veils of infirmity and weakness, yet so great and
attractive that none who approach can resist it? The attractions of the holy
Infant gain every heart. Will yours alone remain indifferent to his love? For a
long time he has entreated you to return to him, and you have been deaf to his
invitations. Ah! if today he sheds on your soul the light of his divine grace,
harden not your heart; but listen to that voice of mercy and clemency which
invites you to approach, and draw from the cradle of Jesus that bright flame of
charity which he came to enkindle on earth, and which will lead you out of the
darkness and obscurity of sin.
How great ought to be your fidelity in obeying the
voice of God, and corresponding with the graces he has given you! If the Magi
had neglected the interior grace which incited them to seek Jesus, and to leave
all to find him, they would never have possessed him; you must then seize the
moment of grace; if you allow it to pass, it will perhaps never return; God
will withdraw himself from you, because you listened not when he called; and he
will abandon you to your own weakness. The treasures of divine mercy are now
open to you; Jesus asks for your heart; he desires to break those bonds which
keep you from him, and he wishes to dissipate the thick darkness which surrounds
you; he wishes to lead you out of the dreadful region where sin and death
everlasting reign; for this he enlightens you with his grace; hasten, then, to
profit by it, lest you should for ever lose it.
PRAYER
Oh! Holy Infant! Splendor of the Father! by whom thou
wert begotten from all eternity, be my guide in the difficult paths of virtue,
that by the light of thy divine grace, I may discover and avoid all those
snares which are laid for me by the enemy of my salvation, so that my feet may
never wander from the safe but narrow path that leads to thee.
EXAMPLE
St. Bernard, obedient to the inspirations of divine grace,
resolved to withdraw from the world with his brothers, and worship God in
retirement. On the day appointed for the execution of their design, they
repaired to the Chateau des Fontaines, to bid adieu to their father, and obtain
his blessing. They left with him their youngest brother Nivard to be the
consolation and support of his old age. On leaving the paternal mansion, they
perceived him playing with some other children. Adieu Nivard, said they, for
the future you alone will be the heir of your father’s wealth—we leave to you
all our possessions. That is to say, replied the pious child, with a wisdom
above his years, you take heaven for yourselves, and leave the earth to me;
assuredly the division is not equal, and I shall soon follow you. Shortly
afterwards he quitted the world to live with his brothers in solitude. Let us
often think of this generous child, and imitate him by endeavoring to serve
the Lord when he invites us to do so; for if we neglect the inspirations by
which God calls upon us, a day will assuredly come when we shall seek and shall
not find him, and shall perhaps die in our sins.
PRAYER
Hail, most sweet Jesus, Son of God and of Mary, I love
Thee with my whole soul, and above all things, because Thou art infinitely
worthy of all love. I firmly resolve by Thy grace to sin no more, and
henceforth to avoid all occasions of sin. Amen.
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