Archbishop of Malta Charles J. Scicluna yesterday reiterated a message by Pope Francis over the weekend that people need to divert their glance away from material needs. He spoke about this during the homily of the Mass of the Epiphany at St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, where the celebration of four seminarians accepted as candidates for ordination as deacons and into priesthood also took place.

The four new candidates were Osmar Baldacchino from the Parish of St Nicholas in Siggiewi, David Borg from the Parish of Our Lady of Graces in Zabbar, Christopher Bugeja from the Parish of St Paul in Rabat and Jonathan Debattista from the Parish of the Annuniciation in Tarxien.

Referring to the story of the magi, in his Sunday homily marking the first Sunday of the year, the Archbishop said "the magi saw the start because they gave themselves the chance to look upwards. The Pope says that many times we live our lives looking downwards, towards money and wealth of the world, towards everything we think will make us happy.  And then we realize it is a bottomless well; that holds no water."

"The Pope says that there is a need to rediscover this dimension of looking upwards, this thirst to meet God." The Archbishop then appealed for everyone to turn their glance upwards.

The second point taken from the Gospel of Matthew which was noted by the Pope and reiterated by Archbishop Scicluna was the notion of the Magi being on a journey.

"They were not people who were just content with this star that they saw. Their search was not one for comfort but, rather, one of risk, to meet God," Scicluna said.

The third thought was that the magi did not turn up empty handed, but took precious gifts along with them.

"In order to meet the greatest gift from God, they gave up their time, their energy, risked a tough journey, searched with determination and presented what was most precious to them."

The Archbishop went on to compare the precious gifts of the magi, to the four new candidates for ordination, and thanked them, their families and respective communities.

"Today you are not giving God gold or incense of myyrh but you are presenting yourselves, your history, your DNA, your dreams and potential and talents." he said.

Photos by Curia Communications Office