Epiphany=Revelation

This feast is often referred to as the 'little Christmas,' or even the second Christmas. Amongst many of our eastern brothers and sisters, Epiphany has a greater significance, and solemnity, than the 25th of December date. If you will, Jesus makes his debut as in the words of the Psalmist, he is revealed to the nations. Though we will read from the Gospel of Matthew today, the first chapter of John dramatically sets the stage for Jesus.

As throughout the Advent season, we have this comparison of light and darkness. Jesus comes as the light, a light which the darkness of the world will not be able to overcome, so as to illumine the hearts of all faithful men and women. Even in the healing stories in the Gospel of John there are those present who will not accept Jesus, though they have witnessed some sort of miracle. These are the folk who prefer the darkness. Stepping into the light would require transformation and conversion which they are not ready or willing to undertake.

I tried to convey in my homily today the importance of being deeply committed to the mission and ministry of Jesus, and his Church. We have a society that is not supportive of religion or moral principles or values. We live in a post-modern society. I take from Karl Rahner's understanding that we need to be mystics. When many of us were little we learned our prayers from our parents, and people respected our faith. Not anymore.

On one of the county roads in Whiteside County there is a small stone building that sets about thirty yards off of the road. In one of the two windows someone has placed a candle. I suspect it is one of those battery operated things which we might use during the holidays. Anyway there it sits next to a cornfield near a road in a non-descript stone building. I have no ideas whether the intention of the person was to convey some deep spiritual meaning, or to let someone know they need to pick up a gallon of milk on the way home.

A light shines in the darkness. Jesus is the light to all nations pronouncing salvation and peace. Your light must shine brightly before all men and women, and not be his under a bushel basket. We have to look for signs of faith and hope wherever we our, no matter how obscure they might be. The Vatican Council conveyed this when they spoke of the Paschal Mystery being the pinnacle of revelation of God the Father. In the Church in the Modern World, Vatican II reminds believers of our obligation of sharing this revelation with the world, even when it will not listen.

What a great feast and what a great mystery to celebrate during this Christmas season. May the good things God has begun in you be brought to completion.