EPIPHANIES

Our Sunday today celebration is focused on the “Three Kings,” but once upon a time it was a combination of three events (and they are celebrated in the antiphons especially for Evening Prayer, as you will be able to experience them Sunday evening before our parish supper—hint, hint!). These events were the visit of the Magi (of course), and the Baptism of the Lord, and the wedding at Cana. All three events were epiphanies (revelations) of who Jesus was and is.

For the Magi, He is “the newborn King of the Jews.” For the disciples at the wedding, He is the Messiah bringing the abundance and joy of the Kingdom (gallons of wine). For John the Baptist (at least), He is revealed by the presence of the Spirit and the voice of the Father as the beloved Son of God, to whom we must listen.

[Footnote: I feel sorry for Simeon who is left out of this grouping—after all, he recognized the Child as the vehicle of salvation, the light of revelation to the Gentiles…. But then, he gets his own dues with the readings of Holy Family and Mary, Mother of God Sundays.]

How do we experience “epiphanies/revelations” in our Christian walk? Perhaps the better question is, do we experience them at all? If we don’t, we might turn to St Ignatius Loyola and his conviction that it is because at the time of the revelation, at the time of the active presence of God in our lives, the eyes of our hearts are not focused. It’s why he recommends a “review of the day” in his Consciousness Examen, so we can at least notice God’s presence in retrospect. If we notice in this way often enough, we can be a bit more confident in His care for us when we don’t notice, when we don’t know quite where or how to look.

For myself, whenever I go to the tabernacle to bring the Blessed Sacrament to the altar or return it there, I am very aware of the reality of our Lord, even though (for myself personally, spiritually) I often experience it as a presence of silence. And then, there are prayers I pray during Mass that especially make me aware both of my need and God’s love: one is prayed silently just before Communion; the other is the “Act of Spiritual Communion” that I pray aloud whenever we are live-streaming our Masses. The crucial phrase (in both these prayers) is “Never let me be separated from you.” I have done (and do) enough that deserves separation; I know my need and trust in the Lord’s mercy as I turn to Him in poverty. The revelation for me is “OK; it’s OK; it’ll all be OK.” And for me that’s a revelation that I pray is not my self-deception but the experience of the consolation of Divine Mercy. It’s enough to keep me going for one more day.

Look back on your own days—when can you (in retrospect) see a similar touch of Presence, of Mercy, of Love? Recognize those moments, and give thanks to the One who is revealing Presence/Mercy/Love to you, and to us. -Fr. David