REVELATION

This Sunday is the Solemnity of the Epiphany. Because it is a Sunday, tomorrow will be the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and the conclusion of our liturgical Christmas season. We’ve been “cheated” out of another Sunday and some other days in-between for singing our carols. Oh, well!

I have mentioned this before, but I want to remind folks that historically there were three “epiphanies” or revelations that were commemorated: to the Magi, at the Baptism, and at the wedding feast at Cana. Vestiges of these three can still be found in the Church’s liturgy, notably in the Liturgy of the Hours. But what exactly is it that is being “revealed”? What is our “epiphany”?

If we take the days one by one we get a small glimpse. The traditional interpretation of the gifts of the Magi—gold for royalty, frankincense for divinity, myrrh for suffering—are presented in all their clarity in the carol “We Three Kings” (and very well done, too, I might add!). But surely the meanings of these gifts could not have been understood at the time of their giving: it is only retrospect that we can see their fulfillment in the horror of Calvary, when the Cross is topped with the inscription “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”—our INRI); when at His death the centurion proclaims, “Surely He was the Son of God”; when His body is anointed and prepared for burial. Easter, then, is the final epiphany: the risen Christ is King, He is divine, He has destroyed death.

I ask again: what is being revealed? I think the answer this time, at the Baptism, is the awesome affirmation of the mission and message of Jesus—the message of the Kingdom. It is all affirmed, and so “revealed,” by the Dove and the Voice: again, a sign, this time of the unique relationship of Father, Son, and Spirit as Trinity.

I ask the last time: what is being revealed? The wedding feast at Cana tells us that Jesus’ first public miracle was one that proclaimed the abundance of the messianic Kingdom—gallons and gallons of the best wine—at least 150 gallons. Yes, that will keep the party going! But the Evangelist makes a critical editorial comment at the end of this scene: “Jesus did this as the beginnings of his signs…and so revealed his glory…” (John 2:11). This glory is proclaimed in chapter one, the prologue: “And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

Here is the essence of Epiphany: the revelation in Jesus of God’s presence/love/fidelity (if I may paraphrase those Greek words with their Hebrew originals). Today we celebrate the fact that no matter what it seems or what we might think, God is present to us in love and faithfulness. If it seems difficult to us today, think of the Cross. And then think of the final “epiphany” of Easter. To quote our baptismal creed—“This is our faith. This is the faith of the Church. We are proud to profess it, in Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Let’s be proud, and let our profession be an additional, if minor, “epiphany” for others, to draw them to Him. -Fr. David