January 6, 2019 - "Epiphany"

Greetings on the Solemnity of the Epiphany.  This is a rich and complicated Feast Day, which actually originated in the East.  In Eastern Christianity, the emphasis was on the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22).  Epiphany was introduced into Western Christianity in the fourth century.  The word epiphany comes from a Greek word meaning “appearance” or “manifestation.”  In Western Churches it is commonly linked to the visit of the Magi to the Christ child.  Through the wise men Jesus Christ revealed himself to the Gentiles.  We also commemorate another event as well on Epiphany:  Jesus’ first miracle of turning water into wine at the Wedding of Cana.  This signifies the manifestation of Christ’s divinity and his divine power as well.
 
In the early days of church history before Christmas was observed, Christians celebrated both the birth of Jesus and his baptism on Epiphany.  The feast proclaims to the world that a child was born, would grow to adulthood, and die as a sacrificial lamb.  Epiphany extends the message of Christmas by calling believers to manifest the Gospel to the whole world.  We can see these points in the popular Christmas carol “We Three Kings.”  Let’s look at some of the stanzas that illustrate these points:
 
“Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain/Gold I bring to crown Him again,/King forever, ceasing never,/Over us all to reign.
 
“Frankincense to offer have I;/Incense owns a Deity nigh;/Prayer and praising, voices raising./Worshiping God on high.
 
“Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume/Breathes a life of gathering gloom;/Sorrowing, sighing, breathing, dying,/Sealed in the stone cold tomb.
 
“Glorious new behold Him arise;/King and God and sacrifice;/Alleluia, Alleluia,/Sounds through the earth and skies.”
 
In Europe Epiphany celebrations are sometimes just as important as Christmas, with celebrants exchanging gifts today instead of on Christmas in some places.  In other places people exchange gifts on both holidays! In Italian folklore, La Befana is an old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on the night of January 5 in a similar way to St. Nicholas or Santa Claus.  A popular belief is that her name derives from the Feast of the Epiphany, which in Italian is Festa dell’Epifania.
 
A Christian legend had it that La Befana was approached by the biblical magi (the three Wise Men) a few days before the birth of the Christ child.  They asked for directions to where the Son of God was, as they had seen his star in the sky but she did not know.  She provided them with shelter for a night, as she was considered the best housekeeper in the village.  They invited her to join them on their journey to find the Christ Child.  La Befana declined, saying that she had too much housework to do.  Later she had a change of heart, and tried to search for the Wise Men and the child Jesus.  That night she was not able to find them. To this day La Befana is searching for the little baby.  She leaves all the good children toys, candy or fruit, while the bad children get coal, onions, or garlic.

A special feature of our own celebration of Epiphany will be the 5:00 pm Mass today, the Mass for all God’s Children.  This Mass especially recognizes children and adults with special needs and developmental differences in our communities.  Special Events Ministry Coordinator Sylvia Jones and her volunteers will host a small reception after Mass.  I always look forward to presiding at this Mass.
 
A final thought for today:  Epiphany is a feast that recognizes the manifestation of divinity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  As this new year begins, it would be good for us as believers to consider how Jesus manifested his destiny and how we can fulfill our destiny as believers as well.
 
Until next week,
Fr. John