9781644135945

The Light of the World
GLORIA DOMINI
SUPER TE ORTA EST
Epiphany
In the early Church the birth of Christ was celebrated on the feast of Epiphany, a feast
that is much older than Christmas. Today the feast of Epiphany occupies the place of a
second Christmas. More properly, Epiphany completes the Christmas solemnities. Christ
entered the world in the silence of the night, as an insignificant child born in a stable. At
Epiphany His identity is revealed and He appears now in His majesty and royal splendor.
By His passion and resurrection He has entered into His glory (Lk 24:26); that is, His
humanity is raised to the position of Lord and King of all creation. As Ruler and as King
he enters today into His city (mankind, the Church) and celebrates the triumph of His
omnipotent and majestic love for men. It is the marriage feast of Christ and His bride, the
Church. The wise men from the East are present, representing the Gentiles, whom He
has invited into His kingdom. We should all participate in this splendid feast. The way to
the eternal feast in heaven is through the Eucharistic banquet which we now enjoy each
day in the Church.
The feast of Epiphany, the manifestation of the Lord, makes known to the world the divinity
of the child who was born in the crib at Bethlehem. This revelation is made to the world in
the persons of the three wise men who came to attend His birth as the representatives of the
Gentile nations. The heavenly Father will confirm this revelation at the baptism of Christ: “This
is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17). Christ Himself will further manifest
His divinity at the marriage feast of Cana.
The feast of Epiphany reveals Christ’s mission as King and Ruler of the world. The child
of Bethlehem shall come on the last day as King and Ruler of all, “with much power and majesty”
(Mt 24:30). Then all men will finally recognize Him as King and will fall on their knees
to acknowledge His dominion. On the feast of Epiphany the liturgy begins to pay Christ the
homage that is due to Him as King. In the persons of the three wise men we approach to offer
our gifts and to acknowledge Him as King of the world. We unite with the Church in submitting
ourselves to Him as His subjects. Unlike earthly kings, He is not satisfied with a lofty acceptance
of our submission. He is capable of divine condescension, and in Holy Communion stoops
down to press us to His breast and fill us with His spirit and majesty. Thus we, too, become an
“epiphany,” a manifestation of the divinity and majesty of Christ.
The saints, in whom Christ’s grace has worked such wonders, are also a manifestation of
the divinity and majesty of Christ. In the liturgy they represent the concrete examples of what
Christ meant to accomplish through His entry into the world. They are reflections of the great
light that arose over Bethlehem and which now brightens the eternal mansions. “Then shall the
just shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Mt 13:43).
96