Lessons 4-6 from the Divine Office of the Fourth Day in the Octave of Epiphany: From Sermon 1 on the Epiphany by St. Leo the Pope.
Lessons 4-6 from the Divine Office of the Fourth Day in the Octave of Epiphany: From Sermon 1 on the Epiphany by St. Leo the Pope.
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Dearly beloved, we have but lately celebrated that day whereon the ínviolate virginity of Blessed Mary gave to man a Saviour. And now the venerable Solemnity of the Epiphany giveth us a continuance of joy; so that as the holy rites of these kindred solemnities follow one another so closely, there may be no time for the heartiness of our joy to abate, nor for the fervour of our faith to become lukewarm. And truly it concerneth the salvation of all men, that the Mediator between God and men is already made manifest before leaving the humble city of His birth.
For although the Lord chose the People of Israel, and only one family thereof, whence to take upon Him that nature which He shareth with all mankind; yet nevertheless He willed not that the first dawn of His rising should be hid within the narrow walls of His Mother's abode; but inasmuch as He was pleased to be born for all, He willed to be forthwith made manifest to all. Three Wise Men in the East, therefore, saw a new and brilliant star, which, by excelling all others in brightness and beauty, attracted the eyes and thoughts of all beholders; and thereby it became at once evident some new and great event had befallen.
He therefore Who gave the sign, gave understanding to them that saw it; that which He made to be understood, He made to be sought after; and when He Himself was therein sought, He offered Himself to be found. The three men followed the leading of a heavenly light; and never losing sight of its guiding brightness, are lead by the light of grace to the recognition of truth. They reasonably supposed that the King's birth, which had been revealed unto them, should be sought for in the Royal City; but He who had taken upon Him the form of a servant, and came not to judge but to be judged, had chosen Bethlehem for His birth, and Jerusalem for His Passion.