The Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord

As we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord every year, we are reminded that Jesus, who was born in the stable at Bethlehem is revealed to us all. He is revealed to the rich and the poor. He is revealed to kings, shepherds and wise people. He is revealed to saints and sinners.  This feast is God’s desire to reveal himself to us in a personal relationship rooted in the love of God that has come into the world.

The word Epiphany means “manifestation” or “showing forth.” This Sunday, the Church celebrates the manifestation of our Lord to the whole world. Jesus was first made known to the shepherds of Bethlehem. He is now revealed to the Magi who have come from the East to adore Him. Christian tradition tells us that the Magi or three kings are symbolic of the Gentiles who began to follow Jesus. These kings represent all the peoples of the earth and they also represent our search for Jesus.

Epiphany is not given just to believers but also to those who continually seek the Lord’s presence in their lives.  Each of us must continually search for the many ways in which God reveals himself in our lives. We are all in the process of coming to know Jesus as Lord.  Each of us is at a different place in our faith journey.  The many experiences of our lives have shaped how we see God and others.  In the midst of our journey, God comes to “show us Jesus.”  He reminds us that we are bigger than our circumstances.  We are bigger than our experiences.  Jesus comes into our lives to show us what it really means to be human.  He comes to show us what it really means to be loved by God. All of us together must see the saving power of God.

The reality is the God saves us from ourselves.  He saves us from thinking that our way is better than God’s plan for our lives.  Do we stand in the way of God’s plan at work in our lives?

As this new year begins, we must ask ourselves, how has Jesus’ presence in our lives made a difference?  In order to answer this question, our relationship with Jesus must be the source of our strength and the peace and hope that comes into the world.  The Magi followed the star and found Christ. May we too, find the Lord who continues to search for us.