Epiphany Sunday
Ever since the Fall, evil has manifested itself. Cain murders his brother Abel. The Tower of Babel causes the flood and after the flood, Noah’s nakedness is uncovered. It ought not be an epiphany that evil exists. Evil is real and history reveals its reality.
Evil increases in society as society focuses on it. Evil for some sick reason fascinates. It tempts us thinking we can play with evil and not be bitten. Yet, evil is snakelike. It is a fascinating creature that subtly veils itself only to strike when opportunities arise. As evil manifests itself, appearing as some enchanting delight, it never adds anything but subtracts. It diminishes everything it touches.
People prefer the manifestation of evil rather than the manifestation of glory. Cain could not bear his brother’s presence, as it exposed his corruption. Many times, those seeing the glory of God manifested in the world, revolt and rebel. Instead of sharing and glorifying the beauty of the other, we envy the other, destroying their glory. Evil’s root attacks the root of another’s goodness. Instead of sharing our own goodness and glory with others, we withhold and use it against others, torturing them for their lack.
The real Epiphany is not the manifestation of evil, but, as the Catechism states “is the manifestation of Jesus as Messiah of Israel, Son of God and Savior of the world” (CCC # 528) who exposes evil for what it is, a delusion.
Epiphany Sunday celebrates the manifestation of our God intervening because evil tries to delude us. If we worship ourselves as the source of our divinity, we believe we will be fulfilled. If we empower ourselves with treasures, we will be all-mighty. If we anoint ourselves with accolades and honors, we will be forever remembered. Yet, the Great Epiphany we celebrate corrects these delusions. We are not gods. We are creations made in the image and likeness of the True God.
In the Epiphany, God manifests his authority over evil, sending his Son into the world, anointing Him with the oil of gladness. Giving Him all authority over heaven and earth to which every knee should bend. Revealing Him as the source of all treasure: Wisdom and Knowledge. Jesus comes as king symbolized by the gold offered. He is prophet symbolized by the myrrh, the bitterness that comes when speaking the truth of God’s designs as prophets do. He is the priest offering true worship, not just performance and presentation. Jesus, priest, prophet, and king, comes to break the world of the evils within teaching us rightful worship and true prophecy leading us into his Kingdom.
The Magi, wisemen who studied the signs of the times, knew of the prophecies. A child was to be born, radiant, filled with God’s glory, shining in the darkness of the evils plaguing our world. This prophecy:
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land (Jer 23:5).
was known throughout the world. Micah too tells us that this King, a descendent of David, was to be born in “Bethlehem, Ephrathah, too little to be among clans of Judah, but from you shall come forth for me who is to be ruler in in Israel” (Mic 5:2). Isaiah proclaims, “A child is to be born, to us a son is given . . . his name shall be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Is 9:6). Even Haggai the obscure prophet announces, “Fear not, I will shake all the nations so that the treasure of all the nations shall come in and I will fill this house with glory” (Hag 2:7). Prophecy after prophecy pronounces the manifestation of our God.
God’s manifestation comes secretly, mysteriously, and only those who have eyes to see, and ears to hear, know. The Magi saw the star, the divine manifestation and wondered what it might be. They traveled to explore this celestial sign. Cosmic and apocalyptic, the angels filling the heavens unveil the glory of the Lord’s coming, singing, “Glory to God.” God manifested this with the birth of Jesus to combat the evils darkening the landscape.
Though not yet, the Magi foresaw within the Babe, a power greater than any king. This child, so tiny and innocent, would work mighty deeds, perform miracles and signs creating awe and wonder. He would free individuals from their earthly evils, casting out demons, correcting injustices, healing our infirmities, and even chastising the hypocrites.
An epiphany experiences a mystery in which the divine manifests, revealing a power and authority that no earthly explanation can answer. This power removes the ills that plague our lives. It restores our souls with a grace that gives life. This power does not condemn the evils’ we suffer: admitting we struggle with self-glorification. The Epiphany offers reconciliation through heartfelt repentance:
The Epiphany reverses this perversion of self-glorification. Everyone who comes to adore finds fulfillment. This fulfillment overflows and all experience a personal epiphany. We behold the Face of God. All of humanity is privileged. All of humanity is blessed. We all share and partake of the presence of God, manifested in the birth of Jesus. No one is isolated, deprived, or rejected. All are invited. Sadly, not all worship authentically. Some, as did King Herod, pretend and then try to destroy God’s glory with their vainglory.
God’s glory, manifested in Jesus, calls us to our original innocence in which we are freed from deceptions that cause our chaos and confusion. God manifests his glory not for self-glorification, but for our glorification. The Epiphany, God dwells with his people, draws all, as it invites anyone to repent of their sin. Free from shame, we find our dignity as human person. We come and adore, as did the Magi, offering our vainglory—the very cause of our self-glorification. In exchange, we see our divine glory manifested in his presence.