The point of Christmas is that God has entered into our human existence. In the words of St John, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14). We celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany to remind us what that means. The word Epiphany comes from the Greek word epipháneia, meaning manifestation or appearance. From the Merriam-Webster Dictionary; “a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something.”
The sacramental liturgy of the Church, like the Feast of Epiphany, connects us to Christ and His mission1. In the Preface for the Epiphany we pray, “For today you have revealed the mystery of our salvation in Christ as a light for the nations, and, when he appeared in our mortal nature, you made us new by the glory of his immortal nature.” We think of the Epiphany as represented by the Magi who come from the east to worship the King of the Jews (Matthew 2:1 – 12). Actually, there are three important events that the Church holds up as manifestations of Christ’s identity and mission. In the antiphon for Evening Prayer we say, “Three mysteries mark this holy day: today the star leads the Magi to the infant Christ; today water is changed into wine for the wedding feast; today Christ wills to be baptized by John in the river Jordan to bring us salvation.2”
The Magi represent all of us, all of humanity. They are not children of the covenant given to Israel, but they can know of God by human reason (Romans 1:20). They can’t find Him, however, without direction from the prophetic revelation given to the Jews, the people of the covenant3. Their gifts acknowledge Christ’s identity as the Divine (frankincense) King (gold) who will give His life (myrrh) so that we can be reconciled to God. The new and everlasting covenant Christ will ratify on the cross is available to everyone but means accepting a life changing conversion of heart. The experience of the Magi illustrate that conversion. They travel to Jerusalem guided by human wisdom. They are directed to Christ in Bethlehem by Divine Revelation, that is, Sacred Scripture. By their encounter with Christ, “they depart to their own country by another way.” (Matthew 2:12).
The Baptism of Christ, at the beginning of His public ministry, foreshadows baptism as a sacrament by which we are joined to Christ and each other as His Body4. Christ’s response to St John’s objection, “it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” points directly to the covenant He will establish at the Last Supper and consummate on the cross5. In His teaching and preaching He referred to His sacrifice as His baptism, “I have a baptism to be baptized with.” (Luke 12:50) and the covenant cup of the Last Supper, “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” (Mark 10:38).
Jesus’ first miracle is performed at a wedding feast where He turns water into wine, the best wine (John 2:6 – 11). This foreshadows the covenant of the Last Supper. At the wedding Christ turns water into wine. At the Last Supper, Christ turns wine into, “my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28). The blessed Virgin Mary is only mentioned twice in St John’s gospel, at this wedding feast and at the foot of the cross. The Old Testament prophets frequently compared the relationship between God and Israel to marriage. God is the bridegroom; Israel is the bride. Christ, in His preaching frequently refers to himself as the bridegroom. Christ is born into a family to make us part of God’s family, "For this is why the Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that we, by entering into communion with the Word, might become children of God6."
The message of this Feast is that Christ reveals God to us and is here for us. By our baptism we are made members of the family of God. Fidelity to family, human or divine, means being present and communicating. Christ has given us the sacraments of the Church as His enduring presence among us. Christ speaks to us in the words of Sacred Scripture, the teaching of the Church, and the prayers we use in Divine Worship, particularly in the celebration of Mass. When we are present to Christ, hear His voice, and make Him the foundation of our lives, we gain access to full life, to fellowship with God.
Fr. Allen Lovell
1Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy #7, Catechism of the Catholic Church #2655
2Antiphon for Evening Prayer II of the Epiphany, Catechism of the Catholic Church #528, St. Peter Chrysologus, Sermon #160
3St Leo the Great, Homily #3 On the Epiphany of the Lord, Catechism of the Catholic Church #528
4Catechism of the Catholic Church #537 and #1267
5Catechism of the Catholic Church #536 and #1224, St. Ambrose, “On The Sacraments” 2, 2, 6
6St. Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Catechism of the Catholic Church #460
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