The Epiphany of the Lord
Epiphany is one of the oldest Christian feasts. It predates Christmas. Even though it makes sense chronologically, originally, Epiphany was not a post-Christmas celebration. In the early Church, Epiphany was the primary feast commemorating Jesus' birth, baptism, and the Magi's visit all on the same day. It was only in the 4th century when the Western Church adopted December 25th as Christmas that Epiphany became a distinct feast. It came to be celebrated as a "manifestation" feast – a celebration of God's revelation of Jesus as Messiah to the world.
The Revelation
On the most basic level, Epiphany is God’s revelation to the world in Jesus. In that little child of Bethlehem, the world saw the face of God. There are many revelations included in the manifestation. First, God had told Joseph and Mary and that his name would be Jesus. Jesus means, “God saves.” Epiphany is the revelation of Jesus as the Savior of the world! Second, he was also named Emmanuel. Emmanuel means, “God with us.” Epiphany is the revelation that God has not abandoned us. God has come to make a tent and dwell among us. Even more, God has become one of us. Third, Jesus is the light! As Isaiah says in today’s first, reading, “Your light has come!” (Is 10:1). It is as if the whole world was in darkness and a lone candle was lit. That light was Jesus. In a very dark world, Jesus became the light of the world. Humankind did not have to walk as if they are floundering in darkness - without direction and destiny. Jesus lit up the way into eternity. In summary, on the feast of the Epiphany is a celebration of the revelation that God has come to save us, that God is with us, and that light has shone for us to find our way into eternity.
The Light Shines
There is something about lighting a candle in a dark room. Not only do we see the light but we also see ourselves. As Epiphany revealed Jesus, it revealed us to ourselves. First, in Jesus we see the image in which God created us. We are created in God’s image and likeness and Jesus represents that image. Jesus reveals the identity, the sacred, and the worth of each human person.
What the light of Jesus reveals about humankind was a mixed bag. The magi and Herod in today’s gospel reading reveal two sides of the humanity. The magi saw the star (light) and they rejoiced. It transformed them. They embarked on a journey, followed the star, came to the manger, recognized the face of God, offered gifts, and did homage. They represent one side of humanity – the humanity that is consoled, strengthened, and rejoices at God’s presence. Herod represents the dark side of humanity. The same star (light) troubled Herod. The light revealed his fears, his insecurities, his selfish ambition, his desire for self-preservation, his quest for dominance, his appetite for violence, his willingness to kill and to destroy.
The two different sides of humankind are not always two different people. It can be, but more often, the two sides reveal each one of us. We are a mixed bag of sin and sanctity, good and evil, light and darkness. Epiphany reveals the entire truth about us. It is good to stand in God’s light because it reveals us as we are.
Practical Implications
Epiphany is a revelation, but it is also an invitation. It is an invitation to follow the light just as the magi followed the star. Isaiah says, “Nations shall walk by your light!” (Is 60:3). The life, the words, the message, and the teaching of Jesus is our star. We must set our eyes on the light of Jesus, follow him alone, and live in his light. Only Jesus leads us to eternity.
Second, as I said earlier, each one of us is a complex reality of sin and sanctity. Epiphany invites us to let gradually let God’s light cover the entirety of our lives. This means that we let faith overcome our fears, trust in God overcome our insecurities, love overpower our selfishness, forgiveness overpower our desire for revenge, kindness replace intolerance, the desire for peace replace our inclination for violence. On the day we stand face-to-face before Christ, may we be able to present a life that has been bathed completely in light. Then we can do genuine homage; then we can offer true worship.
Finally, in my Christmas homily, I had reflected on the Eucharist as Christmas. I pray that in the new year we will always find ourselves at the manger. The Star had led the magi to the manger. As long as we live on earth, the Eucharist is our manger. May the Star always lead us to the manger.
As we celebrate this Eucharist, let us bring ourselves into the light. May we offer our lives to him who is the light of the nations!
- Fr. Satish Joseph