We often use the word “Epiphany” to describe an “Ah-hah!” moment in our lives, a time when we receive some insight that “turns on the light bulb” in our brain that leads us to further knowledge.
The Christmas season is filled with “Epiphanies” and is more than just Jesus, as an infant, being revealed as the anointed One of God to three traveling wise men. Throughout our Christmas stories, the revelation of who Jesus is happens to first, the shepherds, then, to Simeon and Anna in the Temple, to the Magi, to King Herod the Great, who reacts negatively and violently, to the Scribes in the Temple, and, concludes with the revelation of Jesus to John the Baptist, and those gathered at the Jordan River when Jesus is baptized by John.
On this feast of the Epiphany, I think it very important that we all spend time to reflect upon how Christ has been revealed to us in the past year. When that revelation happened, how did we respond to that revelation? Was it with great humility demonstrated by John the Baptist when he responded that he was not worthy to fasten the laces on the sandals of Jesus? Was our response one of dismissal or a negative response in which we either did not want to be bothered by the revelation, or a negative response, akin to that of King Herod the Great, of violent rejection? Did we find ourselves overwhelmed in awe of that revealed to us, similar to the response of the Magi? Did we find ourselves puzzled and wondering what the revelation meant, similar to that of Mary, Mother of Jesus, who, as Luke points out in his infancy narratives, ponders the events and what has been spoken to her about her newborn son? Perhaps this past year has been a combination of all these kinds of responses for us.
I now that within my own life, I have had great moments of revelation this past year. I have found myself, at times, a little dismissive, especially at times when I felt overwhelmed by the horror reaped upon our nation politically and by the Covid 19 virus. However, at those times, God has a way to nag us, pestering us till we finally respond.
These Epiphanies can take the form of grand events, however, the greatest Epiphanies can often take the form of something very simple. I am reminded of this in the song, A Simple Song, sung by the Celebrant at the beginning of Bernstein’s Theater Piece, MASS. As in the case of Elijah on the mountain, he did not find God revealed in the earthquakes and storms around the mountain. Rather, God was revealed in a quiet breeze.
This past week, as I have been celebrating my 46th year of marriage to Ruth, as been a great revelation of God’s love for me. We have developed a custom of massaging lotion on each other’s feet in the evening. It matters not who does this first. Not only is it a great feeling to have someone massage your feet with lotion, it brings to mind the washing of the Apostles’ feet by Jesus at the Last Supper. Something as simple as hands gently massaging lotion into sore feet can be a great revelation of God.
So, as we begin this new year of 2021, let us reflection back on all the Epiphanies of God we have experienced throughout our lives in the past; be aware of those Epiphanies happening in the present; and, be alert for those Epiphanies to come in this new year.
Peace!