An Epiphany call to arms

What the Epiphany means

 

This post won’t be like every other you’ll read about Epiphany. 

 

There are a lot of great things about the Feast of the Epiphany. 

 

There is a lot to learn from the story of the 3 magi and what they can mean to us even today. The symbolism behind their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

 

And the Epiphany is also a reminder that we’re still in the Christmas season (even as it ends). 

 

Several traditions are associated with the Epiphany. 

 

Three Kings Day. King’s cake. Having your home blessed. The chalking of doors. 

 

These traditions are pregnant with meaning and are part of what makes our faith so beautiful. Catholicism is incarnational. It makes sense that so many of our beliefs find an expression in tangible and tactile foods and traditions.

 

I have my favorite traditions (such as the door chalking) that I never try to miss and I”m sure you do too. 

 

But there’s a different angle to approach Epiphany - as a call to arms for Catholics to lead lives of holiness and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

 

Epiphany

 

The word "epiphany" comes from the Greek word "epiphaneia," which means "manifestation" or "striking appearance." The term was originally used to describe the appearance or manifestation of a divine being, such as the appearance of God to the Israelites in the Old Testament.

 

The feast of the Epiphany refers to when the 3 Magi encounter Jesus in the manger. It’s why your Church’s nativity scene has the Magi traveling from Christmas until now up to the manger scene with the Child Jesus.

 

And it’s significant because even though Christ was born and revealed to the shepherd’s and others on Christmas day, the Epiphany represents the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles. 

 

The Epiphany is when the Good News is given to the world at large. That a Child has been born. God Incarnate. The Make of Heaven and Earth has taken on our human nature in order to redeem it. A message of hope and salvation to the whole world. 

 

The Christmas season concludes with an invigorating message to every Catholic  - to tell the world that Jesus Christ is the savior of the world. 

 

Call to holiness

 

And there’s more if we take a closer look at the word “epiphany.”

 

In modern usage, the word "epiphany" refers to a sudden, intuitive realization or understanding, often of a spiritual or personal nature. The term is also used to refer to a moment of enlightenment or insight, especially one that is revelatory or transformative.

 

Have you ever heard the expression of St. Francis, “ preach the Gospel at all times, when necessary, use words?”

 

The truth is St. Francis probably never said it. And even though it sounds cringeworthy to say it (and with all respect to St. Francis), we can accept the truth to this phrase. 

 

As Catholics, we definitely should tell people about Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. (People sometimes express this sentiment to avoid evangelizing explicitly). But it's also true that we should strive for holiness. 

 

We should strive to be holy because the reality is many people have already heard the Gospel. Most people already know who Jesus Christ claims to be and that he founded the Catholic Church. But sadly many people still have their eyes closed to the truth. 

 

To help more people realize that Christ truly is God they need to encounter holiness. 

 

That's why the second meaning of the word “epiphany” is so important. Intuition happens when our minds grasp some truth directly, when we just sense or “see” some truth but don’t quite know how we got there or what path of reasoning led to it. 

 

And a holy life is an intuitive path to God. If we live holy lives, then others will see it. 

 

Their minds may be closed off to God and Jesus Christ, but a person's heart can never be totally closed to holiness, as long as they still draw breath.  So if we humbly manifest holiness in our lives, others will intuitively recognize it and perhaps, through God's grace, be led to our faith in Christ.  

 

Every person hungers for God in their heart, and for many words aren't enough to convince, especially those with self-imposed blinders. But nothing is more real than holiness. And genuine holiness and love of God cannot be denied. 

 

Even though we ourselves are sinful, if we are able to bring some small amount of genuine, unselfish love of God into the lives of those around us, then they will see it, and when they do they will feel that desire for God and his son, Jesus Christ. 

 

A new beginning

 

We're still at the beginning of the liturgical year, and Lent is around the corner. Let's recommit to holiness and love of Christ right now. So that we can more effectively tell others about Jesus Christ, and lead them to a love of Christ through our lives. 

 

(And we'll be a little more ready for Lent when it gets here soon). 

 

Mary will help