Epiphany: Little Christmas

Ever since I was a little one, I remember people referring to today's feast day as either the Epiphany or as Little Christmas.  As it turns out, Little Christmas (traditionally observed on January 6) is also Christmas Eve for those who follow the Jullian calendar (like the Ukrainian Catholics, and all those who count themselves among the Eastern branches of the Catholic Church or the Orthodox Church.

While our Eastern relatives are celebrating Christmas, the Latin Church observes the Epiphany, the appearnace of God made flesh to the Magi (or as some references put it, to the Gentiles).  Here then is my reflection about this feast.  Whether in podcast format or in print, I hope that it helps you to pray:

Follow the star

For the past couple of weeks, many of us have been travelling.  Some for just a few days, and others for the entire period of the Christmas break.  Some travelled to their destinations on foot, and others used other modes of transportation.  Destinations may have been as close as the next door neighbour or as distant as the other side of the world.  No matter how near or far, every time travel is involved, there are preparations to be made, routes to be planned, transportation to be arranged.

Regardless of the details involved, travel is relatively easy these days. At least it’s easier now than it would have been at the time when the wise men from the East came to Jerusalem asking ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?’  As if fulfilling the prophesy of Isaiah (see today’s first reading), these unexpected visitors arrived in the metropolis of Jerusalem, and then continued their search until they found Joseph, Mary and the newborn child.  Who were these travellers?  What was their story?

The Magi might have been practitioners of Eastern mystical traditions, perhaps Babylonian astrologers or Arabian magicians.  Perhaps they were just rich adventure seekers.  If they were living in the twenty-first century, these would be the modern-day Phileas Foggs, travelling the world aboard yachts and cruise liners, or streaking across the skies in search of the next exotic port of call.  These are the ones who would have paid money to be aboard the manned rocket that lifted off from China in the past week or so, destined for the moon.

The story of the ancient travellers from the East is retold and reflected upon each year, even though we have been so separated by time from them, perhaps because there is still a part of their story that is found within each of us.  The wise men were and are much more than simply ancient nomads in search of a thrill.  They followed the signs that pointed them to the Christ-child, and they show us too how to find the star that guides us to Him.

This star still shines in our night skies.  This star is still visible in our world today.  At times, our work may be to polish the star and make it shine when it has been obscured by clouds of doubt. This week, the media is abuzz with reports of the sentencing of a Catholic Bishop from Nova Scotia who was arrested two years ago for possession of child pornography.  It seems that the darkness of scandal and suspicion are in desperate need of a star to provide some guidance.  Eight months ago, the bishop in question asked permission to begin serving a prison sentence, in anticipation of the sentence that would be handed down this week.  A few days ago, the judge granted release (with conditions attached) based on the fact that the time already served is adequate for the crimes committed.  There is still the matter though of the penalty that will be imposed by the Church.  He must now wait to discover what that will entail.  In the meanwhile, he has admitted his error, and is on the road to dealing with the consequences. 

As for the people of the diocese he once served, there is understandable disillusionment and doubt there too.  The work of healing will not come easily.  Perhaps the best gift that we can offer them is the assurance of our compassion, understanding and prayer.  At times such as these, ours is the privilege of pointing out to restless searchers of our time, the star of faith that still shines in the heavens.

Admittedly, sometimes we ourselves are the ones out in the cold, dark night, needing to get back on track, needing to find our way back aboard the camel so that we can follow the star again, until it leads us to the Christ-child who brings life and joy for the whole world.  We can only hope and pray that if this happens, there are others who will remind us that there is good news in which we ought to hope, for we are all members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus, through the Gospel.