Date: Sunday, January 08, 2017
Today is the feast of the Epiphany. In the Eastern Church it was a commemoration of the Baptism of the Lord or the Wedding feast at Cana. In the Western Roman Catholic Church it was the Magi paying homage to the new born king of the Jews. “Epiphany” means “manifestation” or “revelation.” An epiphany both reveals and hides the presence of God. It can happen at the Jordan River, at a wedding feast at Cana, in Bethlehem and in an Intensive Care Unit. Yesterday, I was asked to be with a family before life support was turned off for their brother and friend. We prayed Psalm 23. I anointed David – it was for him Extreme Unction. The family received Holy Communion and we prayed the Hail Mary. It was so touching for me. The doctor who had been caring for David for one week asked to stay in the room with us. Together we were more keenly aware of the mystery of life and death, of love and God. It was an epiphany.
The Magi or astrologers are from the East. They are Gentiles. Isaiah’s prophecy of nations, of people coming to the Holy Mountain, to God’s House of prayer is fulfilled. We can better understand the significance of the star by turning to the last chapter of the Gospel according to St. Matthew when Jesus appears to the 11 disciples on a mountain in Galilee and commissions them to go into the world to baptize and spread the Good News. God’s salvation and mercy are for all people! In the Bible, mountains are meeting places with God where divine glory is revealed and hidden in the clouds. The Hebrew word for “mountain” can be translated “rock.” In the Bible “rock” is a symbol of God’s strength, salvation and living presence. The Diocese has entered into a campaign entitled: “Upon This Rock.” Before that appeal comes into this assembly we must reflect on the deeper meaning of rock as a symbol of faith. It is not something hard and lifeless. We know this deeper meaning when we speak of a stalwart friend as a “rock of strength.” Mary Jo Ketchum, chairperson of our Upon this Rock committee, will now speak on the meaning of “rock” in reference to her Catholic faith.