The feasts of the Epiphany, and the Baptism of the Lord, which closes the season of Christmas, are, in fancy terms, theophanies. A theophany is a visible manifestation of God. On the feast of the Epiphany, God is visibly made manifest in the person of the infant Jesus to the Wise Men. On the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Jesus is visibly made manifest to John the Baptist and those who had gathered at the Jordan River to be baptized by John.
Biblically, when theophanies occur, they are rather startling supernatural occasions, great storms and winds, a pillar of fire, the parting of the Red Sea for example. In their own way, the Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord, are, in themselves supernatural events. However, in the day to day events of life, God is made visibly manifest to us less dramatically, and far less supernaturally.
I have written about her before, but one person whose life for me was a daily theophany was a good friend, Blanche Schutrop. Blanche never advanced beyond an 8th grade education, She tutored school children. She was a sacristan, a professed Secular Franciscan, and coordinated home communion visits. She liked to watch the Twins over a couple of beers with her husband, Ivo. She was a homemaker by profession. Blanche was a simple, uncomplicated person. Yet, in her simplicity, in her humble service to others, God was made visibly manifest. If there was a pastoral need in the parish, people didn’t go to the pastor or to me. They went to Blanche. Blanche was a living, breathing, visible manifestation of God. Blanche was a theophany.
Who are those living, day to day, theophanies in our lives? This is something to ponder during these waning days of the Christmas season. They are all around us. There are no cracks of lightning, thunder booming, great winds rising when they enter a room or interact with us. Yet, we sense that within them God is very much present. By virtue of our own baptism, we are to be a visible manifestation of God to others. Are our lives theophanies? Or, are they anything but a theophany? May our new year resolution be to ask for the grace in becoming a living manifestation of God to others.
