Do You Want An Epiphany?
by
Rick Wilson
Ever had an epiphany? It is more than a bright idea. Webster defines an epiphany as a revelation of a divine being, an intuitive grasp of reality, a sudden perception of something, and an illuminating discovery. Paul’s conversion experience on the road to Damascus was an epiphany. It began his transformation from a persecuting religious dogmatist to Jesus’s best known first-century advocate.
One of the greatest minds of the late medieval period, Dominican scholar Thomas Aquinas, had an epiphany during Mass that touched him deeply. He had been working on his theological masterpiece Summa Theologica when he had an “aha” experience. Afterward when asked to complete his work he said, “I can write no more. I have seen things that make my writings like straw.” Three months later, he died.
20th-century Trappist monk and spiritual leader, Thomas Merton, experienced an epiphany in Kentucky. In his own words, “In Louisville, at the corner of Fourth and Walnut, in the center of the shopping district, I was suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I loved all those people, that they were mine and I theirs, that we could not be alien to one another even though we were total strangers.” He went on to say, “There is no way of telling people that they are all walking around shining like the sun.”
Each year, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, the 12 Days of Christmas, and the Feast of the Epiphany allow us to reflect on Jesus as an infant and the significance of that birth.
The evangelist, Matthew, gives us the story of Magi coming from the east and experiencing an epiphany. Who were the Magi of whom Matthew wrote. On hearing the story, who did his listeners think they were?
In crafting his Gospel, Matthew may have had in mind an ancient priestly caste dwelling in the Parthian empire, east of the Roman Empire. They were astronomers, astrologists, and dream interpreters, members of a council that elected the king of the Parthian Empire. In other words, they were “kingmakers.” Matthew may have been wanting his people to understand the Magi as kingmakers. They may have known about this special caste.
There are significant differences between the two kings in our Gospel reading, other than age. Known as a great builder, King Herod rebuilt the temple on a grandiose scale and constructed numerous other buildings and cities. He did terrible things to remain in power. Among his cruelties were the murders of family members – his wife Mariamne, her two sons, her brother, her grandfather, and her mother. Matthew’s gospel portrays him as a tyrant and someone living in fear of a newborn king.
The infant Jesus is the other king. He made no proclamations other than laughs, cries, and occasional baby noises. Yet his reign is identified by what was present at his birth. Within his humble birthplace is the reassurance that all of creation is a comfort for him and within his reign. His reign will evidence great humility as his birthplace was simple. His reign will have the praises of angels and include all people. The Magi, as Gentiles, demonstrate Jesus’ reign will be open to everyone, not just his countrymen, founded on compassion, justice, mercy, forgiveness and love. This king is like no other.
One major criticism of any religion is that it sets up an “us” and “them” dichotomy. Sometimes the dichotomy is severe. “We are going to heaven and everyone else is going to hell.” I have known some Christian churches with that faith perspective. Fortunately, the Episcopal Church is not one of them. Sometimes it is forgotten that the purpose of religion is to help us grow in relationship with God and one another as individuals and as communities.
A particular Epiphany, a new perception of something which helped form the early followers of the Resurrected Christ, mainly through the efforts of the Apostle Paul, is that Jew and Gentile are both welcome as one in Christ. It is a major theme of the Letter to the Ephesians. A people who have, for centuries, been in a covenant with God now share a covenant with a people who were not part of that covenant. “Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.” In an earlier letter, Apostle Paul wrote, “There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”
What is the responsibility of people united in Christ? “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
In our world, where is there a need for an epiphany?
Everywhere. We need epiphanies to spur us to action. We look at the confusion around us. We see people using religion to justify hate. We witness people being mistreated constantly, being assaulted. We see money more highly valued than human life. We witness a planet going through environmental decay. What sort of epiphany do we need?
We need epiphanies that awaken us to not only who we are but to what we can do. The epiphanies experienced by Paul, Thomas Aquinas, and Thomas Merton empowered them to be agents of God’s peace and presence. What sort of epiphany do we need to empower us to live the faith we profess? Perhaps the Magi can give us a hint. In the Matthew story, they experienced a powerful message and followed it to its realization.
We have been given so much. Can we not look at what is around us and see the beauty that envelopes us yet to which we are blind? Do we not understand our responsibility to be representatives of the one whose birth we just celebrated and whose teachings we live? We are to be the light of the world! Perhaps we do not need epiphanies to act. Though if an epiphany came, I wouldn’t turn it down!
As American author, philosopher, theologian, Christian mystic, educator, and civil rights leader Howard Thurman wrote in his work The Mood of Christmas: “When the song of angels is stilled. When the star in the sky is gone. When the kings and princes are at home. When the shepherds are back with their flock. The work of Christmas begins: to find the lost; to heal the broken; to feed the hungry; to release the prisoner; to rebuild the nations; to bring peace among people, to make music in the heart.” Amen!
©2025 Rick Wilson
Rev. Rick Wilson, Rector, Episcopal Church of St. Matthew, Tucson AZ
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