Epiphanies

Gospel: Matthew 4: 12-17, 23-25

In the spiritual poverty of our times we have come to reduce this season after Christmas to the recognition of just one Epiphany event - the encounter with the Magi at the manger.  In times past there was an entire season of Epiphany where we reflected on a variety of epiphanic encounters with the Lord: his baptism in the Jordan, the first miracle at Cana, Jesus encountering Nathaniel, and so many other encounters for us to consider.  

As a result of this poverty, we have come to believe that there is only one way to have an encounter with the Lord, narrowly prescribed through institutional decree.  Yet, in these reflections on the wider epiphany we come to realize that God is encountered in many different ways: through sacramental celebrations to be sure, but also through encounters that at first seem ordinary but in fact are charged with deep meaning.  They could take place under a tree or at a meal.  They can happen to saint or sinner, outcast or in-person.

So while the liturgical cycle will quickly return us to Ordinary Time, let us continue to reflect on the epiphanies of the Lord both in the scriptures and in our lives.  It is a time for us to pay attention to the many different ways we encounter God in our lives each and everyday.  It is a time to train our spiritual eye to see the Lord present in each person we encounter, each moment of our day, and see in what ways those encounters nourish and transform our lives.