Pope urges today's Wise Men to shape a world based on Christ

Published: 2007-01-08

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI said the age of globalization is challenging political, scientific and religious leaders to shape a new world order based on spiritual values. This means an encounter with the "light of Christ," which can reveal the deepest values of all cultures, the pope said. "To all people of our time, I want to repeat today: Do not be afraid of the light of Christ!" he said. The pope made the remarks at a Mass Jan. 6 on the feast of the Epiphany, which marks the manifestation of Jesus as savior to the world. In his sermon, he recalled the New Testament account of the three Wise Men or Magi, guided to Bethlehem by a star, who were the first to come and adore Jesus. The Wise Men were mysterious but important figures as the church began its mission of bringing Christ to the world, he said. Then he posed the question, "Who are the Wise Men of today?" He answered by identifying three classes of leaders: political authorities, people of intellect and science, and the leaders of the world's faiths.

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