Epiphany

Today, the Latin Church celebrates the Epiphany of the Lord. Technically it is observed every January 6th but it is moved to Sunday.

Classically this is the day of great celebration of the Christmas season, and the feast of the Epiphany is older than Christmas itself.

So what is the Epiphany? It is the revelation of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. It is usually tied up with the appearance of the Magi, but it is so much more than that. Fr. John Zuhlsdorf explains:

Fr. Z said:

Epiphany was thought to be not only the day the Magi came to adore Christ, but also the same day years later when He changed water into wine at Cana, and also when He was baptized by St. John in the Jordan. In each mysterious event, Jesus was revealed to be more than a mere man: He is man and God.

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Even if you are not Catholic, perhaps the Collect that is prayed in Mass today is something that you could pray yourself:

O God, who on this day revealed your Only Begotten Son to the nations by the guidance of a star, grant in your mercy, that we, who know you already by faith, may be brought to behold the beauty of your sublime glory.

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And I will leave you with the first reading from today's Mass:

Isaiah said:

Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come,
the glory of the Lord shines upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth,
and thick clouds cover the peoples;
but upon you the LORD shines,
and over you appears his glory.
Nations shall walk by your light,
and kings by your shining radiance.
Raise your eyes and look about;
they all gather and come to you:
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.

Then you shall be radiant at what you see,
your heart shall throb and overflow,
for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you,
the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.
Caravans of camels shall fill you,
dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;
all from Sheba shall come
bearing gold and frankincense,
and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

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Happy Epiphany everyone!

Epiphany was thought to be not only the day the Magi came to adore Christ, but also the same day years later when He changed water into wine at Cana, and also when He was baptized by St. John in the Jordan. In each mysterious event, Jesus was revealed to be more than a mere man: He is man and God.

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Even if one is an atheist, the weaving of the story is something to behold.

ecofarm said:

Even if one is an atheist, the weaving of the story is something to behold.

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It's a sad fact that often gets lost in discussion of Christianity. Yes, there are morals that are enforced, but the beauty and mercy of Christ is often drowned out by this.

phattonez said:

It's a sad fact that often gets lost in discussion of Christianity. Yes, there are morals that are enforced, but the beauty and mercy of Christ is often drowned out by this.

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I don't think morality is (nor can be) enforced, the law can never save. Moral behavior (works) is a fruit of the Spirit, no man can claim credit.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

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Galatians 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, - Bible Gateway

ecofarm said:

I don't think morality is (nor can be) enforced, the law can never save. Moral behavior is a fruit of the Spirit, no man can claim credit.

Galatians 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, - Bible Gateway

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What I mean is that moral discussions tend to obscure the other aspects of the Church, thus the idea that Christianity is nothing more than a set of rules to follow.