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What does “Epiphany” mean? And how do we apply it to our daily lives?

The Epiphany is sometimes called the Twelfth Night, because it takes place twelve days after Christmas. When the Epiphany is not observed on January 6th, the twelfth day of the Christmas season, it is moved to the Sunday between January 2nd and 8th. This is why we are celebrating the Epiphany today.

The word “Epiphany” comes from the Greek (Epiphaneia), in English we would say, manifestation, or appearance. Today we celebrate Christ glory, manifested to the Gentiles, through the Magi. On Christmas we celebrate the humble, peaceful, quiet birth at Bethlehem. Epiphany or manifestation celebrates the glory of God became man. It is all about making Christ known to the world as Messiah, the divine Son of God for both Jews and Gentiles. Christ came for all peoples not just for the Chosen people.

In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians “Gentile” really means “non-Jew”. If we were to replace this word in our context, perhaps we would use the word non-Christian or non-Catholic.

The Magi or “Wise Men” are total foreigners from the East; they are gentiles in the extreme, astrologers following the sign of a star that traditionally signified a royal birth. The Gospel doesn’t say how many wise men there were, and never refers to them as “Kings”; we presume three because there are three gifts. All we know is that they were Gentiles who came from afar to embrace the message and to acknowledge Jesus as King and Savior.

The gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh signify items fit for a King, in later tradition they assume a more symbolic meaning. Gold is for Nobility, Frankincense for Divinity, and Myrrh is an embalming spice foretelling of his death. Note that already the association of birth and death are made in the gospel.

The news of a newborn king is disturbing to King Herod because he knows there can be only one king of the Jews. Therefore he persuades the magi to bring him information regarding Jesus’ whereabouts. The intent of King Herod no doubt is to do away with Jesus the newborn King.

Today’s first reading from the book of Isaiah was written after the Jewish people had returned from their captivity in Babylon. They looked forward to the glory of Jerusalem that was to be rebuilt. They proclaimed that Gentiles would also come to the Lord’s glory at Jerusalem. All nations would be called to the light of God. We see the fulfillment of this prophecy in the Church, which we embrace today. That Jesus does in fact come for all people, of all times and all places.

St. Paul was a rabbi, a Pharisee of Pharisees. It was very hard for Paul to realize how a Gentile could share in the blessing promised by God to his Chosen People through Abraham. And in today’s second reading Paul proclaims that great mystery that God has made the Gentiles co-heirs in salvation. Paul now marvels at the mystery of God’s love that embraces Jew and Gentile and reconciles all people in Christ Jesus.

Today’s mass theme is summed up in the Responsorial Psalm “Lord, every nation on earth will adore you” (Ps72). “Lord, every nation on earth will adore you” In your prayer time this week I ask you to repeat this response, and reflect on it’s meaning.

The magi “departed for their country by another way”. They returned by a different way to avoid Herod. They themselves were different. Their lives would never be the same once they encountered Christ the King. Every spiritual journey and every epiphany leads to our transformation. The magi’s experience assures us that those who seek Christ the King will find him. And if we cherish the spiritual riches he has to offer, we to will be changed.

Has Jesus’ appearance ever caused you to change your way? If so have you shared this manifestation with others, so that all peoples may know God’s epiphany?

Rise up in splendor! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you.