We sometimes talk of having an Epiphany, from the Greek word ἐπιφάνεια, - an appearance – derived from the verb meaning to appear – check and dictionary for a definition, and it is “an experience of sudden and striking insight” – It is an experienced them – we have witnessed others have one - Ask a teacher for a story of a child having an epiphany - suddenly (finally) connecting something together – and there will be plenty – it is something that teachers look forward to as students learn not just facts, but to think, to make connections – a rewarding element of teaching. – but also something that changes someone – for once a connection is made, it is not unmade.
And today, we are celebrating an Epiphany – The Epiphany – The Epiphany of the Lord - The appearance of the Christ – the unveiling of who he is – with three things traditionally celebrated today – The wedding feast at Cana, the Baptism of the Lord in the Jordan – and, as in most familiar to most of us with their place in our nativity sets – the magi visiting Christ – They are now here in our nativity scene at last.
And so there is an unveiling of who Christ is – for who is this child born of Mary? – who did the shepherds visit that first Christmas morning? Who is it that John Baptized in the Jordan, who changed water into wine at the wedding feast – to whom did the magi bring gifts? None other than the son of God – second person of the trinity become man – come to die and rise for the salvation of the world – but how does one respond?
Just considering story of the magi –two possible responses are found to the nature of Christ – First is the response of Herod – For Christ is a threat – he must be killed – he is a problem to be solved – an obstacle – For the goal is power – the goal is to be King – Herod heard that Christ is a king so he must be removed. – Herod heard the news of the infant king – but he did rejoice – for, to Herod, it was all about Herod – he sought to remove a threat to his power – to make the question go away through power – even by the brutal means of killing innocent children. Herod heard of Christ – but no change took place – for while there might have been an Epiphany of the Lord – Herod had no Epiphany – he remains unchanged. – Like so many who keep Christ at a distance – who do not wish to encounter Christ for they want to stay as they are. Perhaps not by killing a large number of children in order to try and literally kill Christ -but by taming him – looking at him as a cute story - but not facing the reality of who he is and what it demands, avoiding it – moving away from Christ – thankfully there is no only Herod.
But there is also the response of the magi – not a prominent nor obvious group – for these wise men – they are not Jewish – there are also not kings but likely some royal advisors from Persia, and were of unknown number, though traditionally three– additionally – they do not know the prophets or the law – but they come seeking – bringing gifts. Herod sought power and control – but the magi? – that which was good and true – not keeping a distance -but drawing close - they had an epiphany.
For through the visit of the magi, there is an unveiling of Christ – for gold was brought - for he is the King – King of the Universe – what we celebrated on the 34th Sunday of Ordinary time – not only is he King – but God – it is through him all things were made – for he is the second person of the trinity become man for us – hence the second gift is frankincense – the incense used in worship – worship of God - for we worship Christ – at Mass when we receive Christ, body, blood, soul, and divinity – and we worship him – in Eucharistic adoration before the blessed sacrament we worship Christ in the blessed sacrament. Let no one say that we do not worship Christ.
Then there is the third gift – myrrh – something used for dead bodies and funerals – for Christ was born to die – to die for the forgiveness of sins – for the salvation of the world - to die for – that he might redeem us through his death and resurrection.
That is an Epiphany of who Christ is – and the Magi were changed – as they went home by a different route – For no one who recognizes who Christ is leaves unchanged – an ecounter always changes someone – an epiphany always changes someone.
Today – the Epiphany of the Lord – do we respond to the revealing of Christ like Herod? or the Magi? For if we recognize who Christ is and respond – we will not leave the encounter the same – for no on is after an epiphany- escepially the Epiphany of the Lord.