This weekend we celebrate The Epiphany of the Lord. The word epiphany means a bursting forth or a manifestation. We sometimes use the word epiphany to describe something that was previously unclear or confusing that suddenly becomes clear. A light goes on, and we understand something that we had not previously understood. Today’s Feast of the Epiphany spotlights only one of many epiphanies described in the Scriptures this time of year. In fact, the liturgical season of Christmas might better be described as the Epiphany Season. Christmas is one day, but the epiphanies just keep coming.

Christmas itself is one of those epiphanies. Thanks to some very gabby angels, Christ is revealed to shepherds keeping watch in the fields near Bethlehem. Shepherds, because of their rough ways, generally did not make great houseguests. They were at the bottom of the social ladder. Yet the “good news of great joy” was revealed to them first. The shepherds and Mary and Joseph represent all the poor but faithful people of Israel. They are honored with this first epiphany.

On today’s Feast of the Epiphany, Christ is revealed in a limited way to the Gentiles. The Magi came from a foreign land, but on their journey they sopped in Jerusalem for direction. This suggests that Gentiles should come to know and appreciate the Jewish tradition that lies behind our Christian faith. In the Epiphany Gospel, Christ’s identity is also revealed in the gifts the Magi bring. The gifts are hardly suitable for an infant, but very appropriate for God come to earth. Gold is an appropriate gift for a king and incense is offered to a god. Myrrh is the most mysterious gift. Myrrh was the ancient equivalent of embalming fluid. It was symbolic of Jesus’ ultimate mission, to save us from death. Jesus’ death and burial would lead to new life for us all. Jesus’ deepest identity would only be revealed after he had overcome death on Easter morning.

Next weekend is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This is also an epiphany, because at his baptism a voice from heaven is heard saying “This is my Beloved Son.” Up to that point, Jesus had been leading a low-key life in Nazareth, working as a carpenter or construction worker. Now his identity is revealed to the world. Spiritual writers have seen a parallel between Abraham’s beloved son, whom he was prepared to sacrifice and the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. So, the title “beloved son” also reveals his identity as redeemer. And it is through our baptism, that we are incorporated into the dying and rising of Christ.

Although in the present church calendar, the Christmas season officially ends with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, traditionally the season did not end until February 2—and for good reason. There are two more epiphanies to follow!  Prior to the changes in the liturgy in the 1960s, when a three-year cycle of Sunday readings was introduced, the Gospel for the Second Sunday after Epiphany was always the Gospel of the Wedding Feast at Cana. Now we hear that Gospel on that second Sunday following Epiphany every third year—including this year. When Jesus changes water into wine, he effectively inaugurates his public ministry. The Gospel notes that as a result of this “sign” his disciples began to believe in him. Jesus, himself, associates the miracle with his final redemptive act when he says, “My hour has not yet come.” In the Gospel of John, Jesui’ “hour” refers to his passion, death, and resurrection. The Miracle at Cana is a sign pointing to the ultimate transformation of death into new life. In other words, we have another epiphany Jesus’ true identity is revealed to the world.

On February 2 the Church observes the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple. February 2 is a Sunday this year and we will celebrate the Feast of the Presentation at all weekend Masses. February 2 is forty days after Christmas, paralleling the forty days of Lent. In the Gospel for this Feast, the elderly prophets Simeon and Anna welcome the infant Jesus, and Simeon proclaims him “a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel.” His identity is once more made known. Here we not only bring the epiphany season to a close, but we also come full cycle. Simeon and Anna, like Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds, are the faithful of Israel.  Simeon and Anna, like the shepherds give witness to the revelation they have been privileged to share. The Good News continues to spread.

In our culture Christmas ends very quickly. The trees, the decorations, the music come to a halt once the shopping season ends. But the Christ event is one of infinite richness, only gradually revealed to us over time. Take time to savor all these revelations of Christ’s identity.

                                                                            Fr. Joe

PS I will be out of town from January 8-15. Please be generous to the Little Sisters’ collection next weekend.