Contents
What is epiphany?
Ordinarily, epiphany refers to that very moment when a person suddenly feels that he or she understands, or suddenly becomes conscious of something that is very important. On the other hand, it is a potent religious experience. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary renders it as sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something; an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure; a revealing scene or moment. It is the appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being. According to its Greek origin, epiphany derives from epi (in this context on, upon) and phainō (show oneself, appear). While the verb is epiphainō, the noun is epiphaneia (appearance, appearing, manifestation, coming).
What we celebrate
What exactly are we celebrating? If epiphaneia is the manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles, then, what are we celebrating? Since the Word took flesh and dwelt among us, that is, among mankind and precisely, among Christians, there is no need celebrating the manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles because Jesus dwells among Christians. This conclusion takes us to the other meanings of epiphainō and epiphaneia. If, as regards God’s intervention, epiphainō means giving light and shining upon, then, what we are celebrating is the divine light shining upon us thanks to the logos pitching his tent among us. Consequently, we are now conscious of the divine appearance in the history of mankind. We can now see things in their essential nature. We now understand things better and are capable of grasping the true nature of life because of the divine light shining on us. While the Gentiles (represented by the magoi) celebrated God’s manifestation to them, we celebrate the divine light shining upon us. This is where we must lay emphasis. The accent should not be on the manifestation to the Gentiles, but on whether we have understood the significance of the divine light that shines on us. The Gentiles moved as soon as they perceived the divine manifestation. How about Christians? Have we moved since God pitched his tent among us? Has the divine light shining on us had any effect on our lives and on our interactions with one another? How has God appearing to us touched and changed our lives, our modus operandi, parlandi et vivendi, our relationship with others, our general attitude to life? What are we celebrating? What are you celebrating? What am I celebrating?
Conclusion
As stated above, on receiving the news of the birth of the future king, Herod became highly disturbed. Why? The reason is obvious. He saw himself as an absolute king who exercised absolute power. Doing what he liked, when liked it, and how he liked without being questioned by any. How can there be another king outside Herod? This was a serious threat to him and to his throne. In fact, he ensured the child was eliminated, but as Isaiah put it God’s ways are different from human way (cf. Isa 55:8–9). This kind of behaviour continuous even today in various societies. Just look around in the political world and you will marvel at what happens. Those in power especially in Africa, do not see it as an opportunity to serve the people. Instead, they understand it as a golden opportunity to loot the wealth of their various nations.
FOR DETAILS, GET YOUR OWN COPIES OF THE BOOK “THE WORD OF LIFE: SUNDAY REFLECTIONS” (vols. I and II)!! The reflection for the Epiphany 0f the Lord, Year B is found on vol. II pages 47–52. See also Vol. I, pages 52–59. Happy reading!
For details on how to get it, contact the author on this link: https://m.me/uchennabiblia?fbclid=IwAR2yeg4a6sDGBp9QGkIvKj6FSADumMokN6lshdE0zuo-JHs6qOmlhA7jyHo or email me at: postmaster@uchennabiblia.com or simply send an SMS on 08116100926, and I will get back to you.