Living Epiphanies

Reflection presented at Epiphany Concert of St. Joseph Church 
Music Ministry, Kingston, NY, January 6, 2019

As we close this season celebrating the mystery of the Incarnation – God becoming flesh; coming to live among us;  God coming to experience all of human life; Jesus coming to reveal the face of the Father ----- what nugget of inspiration can we underscore in our memory and carry into ordinary time?

Today we mark Epiphany but not merely the single incident of a few wise men or philosophers or seekers we call Magi  who complete their pilgrimage by finding the child Jesus and knowing in their hearts that he was the Messiah; the Messiah foretold by the prophet Isaiah who wrote: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light – for a child is born to us – They shall call Him Wonder Counselor, Father Forever, Prince of Peace.”

Epiphany means manifestation – an experience or event that makes something absolutely clear to the mind or to eye. In our Church tradition the Magi event is only the first of a number of events revealing the identity of Jesus. Soon we will celebrate the presentation of the child Jesus in the temple when it becomes manifest – absolutely clear – to Simeon and Anna that in this child was their salvation. Another is his baptism by John in the Jordan when the voice of God is heard saying, “This is my beloved Son.” Also the wedding feast at Cana when Jesus, by performing his first public miracle, makes perfectly clear his nature and his mission.

The nugget of inspiration we can carry away today is that the time of such Epiphanies need not be over. In fact, we need them more and more every day – moments in which the love of our God is made manifest in our world; when eyes plainly see and minds clearly apprehend the nature and work of God. 

It has been said that Jesus came into the midst of human kind to reveal the Face of a loving Father. Jesus is no longer physically present in this world reveal God’s love. But by virtue of our baptism, participating in his life as priest, prophet and king, we can and must reflect, in His Name, the face of God. In this way WE – how we act and react; what we choose to do and not to do; how we talk to people and not talk to them can be today’s epiphanies. Today and every day, we can make manifest the Loving Heart of God in the world. How do we do it? Didn’t Jesus give us lessons when he said:

       I came to serve, not to be served.

       Let those without sin cast the first stone.

       I give you a new commandment, love one another.

We cannot say that we do not know how to make manifest in this world the nature of a loving God. As Christians we can act out of the conviction that we are to become living memories, living epiphanies, affirming the presence Jesus in the world.

In the Letter to the Colossians it is made clear (3:12-21)

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,bearing with one another and forgiving one another,  as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.And over all these put on love, which is, the bond of perfection. 

      And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, 

      the peace into which you were also called in 

      one body. And be thankful.

      Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in

      all wisdom you teach and admonish one 

      another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs 

      with gratitude in your hearts to God.And whatever 

      you do, in word or in deed, do everything in 

      the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to 

      God the Father through him.

Today we can go forward with this nugget from St. Francis in mind: “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words”. Carry that golden nugget in your pocket as a reminder because “what the world needs now is love, sweet love.”