OUR SUNDAY’S IN JANUARY

The word “epiphany” means “manifestation”.  This month on January 6th, we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord.    This feast invites us to examine God’s image.  We must come to understand the image of God that we have been given, because how we model our lives depends on the image we have.  If others know that we are Christian, especially if they know we are Catholic, they will look at us to see who we believe God to be.

Our readings are written by people who saw God’s hand at work in the world. Isaiah saw a long exile in Babylon coming to an end. He saw God’s hand at work in returning the people to Jerusalem. The people could see that God was at work. If they paid attention they would see God’s ongoing faithfulness. It would be enough to attract the attention of the kings of Tarshish, Sheba, and Seba spoken of in the psalm.

Matthew’s Gospel, by telling of the star, teaches us that the example of Christ’s life was so powerful that even the cosmos noticed. The magi noticed and crossed half of the known world to pay homage to the king born under that star. Their reaction to the star was joy. King Herod, who exemplifies all the unjust rulers of the world, noticed as well, but his reaction was not joy; it was fear.

The work of God surrounds us, and the feast of the Epiphany wants us to notice. Those who stayed faithful to God while in exile saw Him come and rescue them. The magi came to pay homage, and they saw protection. Herod sought to do evil and he was surpassed by a new kind of king.

What do we see? What do we believe? Do we see and believe that God continues to make himself known to us and that He continues to watch over us? If we do believe this, is our belief manifested in us? Can others see God in our behavior and in our example?

Looking at what Christ reveals by His life, we see a teacher, a healer, someone who is full of love, but most importantly, the Savior of the world. We see His high expectations of all who follow Him, but we also see His compassion for those who fall short. We see Him as someone capable of rescuing us even from death.

Do we hear God in our life?

The most rev. john p. Walzer, D.D.