In 1964, the great theologian and liturgist Romano Guardini (1885-1968) wrote an important open letter to the German Liturgical Congress, held in Mainz. The previous year Pope Paul VI had promulgated Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Second Vatican Council’s document on the liturgy. Theologians, liturgists, bishops and priests were trying to deduce the implications of this groundbreaking document for the day-to-day liturgical life of the church. That is exactly what Guardini did in the abovementioned letter as he mused about making the principles of Sacrosanctum Concilium a reality.
Early in the letter Guardini challenges the simplistic notion that all we need to do is “organize the procession better” and “see to it that the praying and singing is done better.” Though important, he deemed ‘doing things better’ not enough. Rather, he argued, it is the intentionality with which the liturgy is celebrated that is all-important. Using the example of a procession Guardini contended that for the liturgical act to really work we should not only be concerned with how we walk and sing, rather we should ask ourselves, how can the act of walking and singing “become a religious act… so that an ‘epiphany’ may take place.”
I was reminded of this profound statement in anticipation of the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord which we celebrate today. The word Epiphany is derived from the Greek epipháneia (ἐπιφάνεια), meaning ‘appearance’, or ‘manifestation’. This solemnity celebrates that Jesus was first recognized as the Christ by the Magi. Matthew (2:1-12) is the only Gospel writer who mentions this occurrence. By having non-Jewish Magi recognizing Jesus as the Christ, Matthew emphasized that Jesus is the savior of all peoples.
The history of the Solemnity of the Epiphany is very complex as the Nativity of Jesus, the Baptism of Jesus and the miracle at the wedding in Cana were also associated with this feast. Even today, in the churches of the East the Gospel of the Baptism of the Lord is proclaimed on the feast of the Epiphany, also known as Theophany or a visible manifestation of God.
In the churches in the West these four epiphanic moments in the life of Jesus are now celebrated on separate days. We celebrate the Nativity of Jesus on December 25. The Epiphany of the Lord was traditionally celebrated on January 6 but is now commonly celebrated on the first Sunday in January after January 1. The Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on the Sunday after the Epiphany unless Epiphany falls on January 7 or 8. In that case Baptism of the Lord is celebrate the next day, Monday January 8 or 9. The Gospel of the Wedding in Cana is proclaimed on the Sunday following Baptism of the Lord during year C.
In addition to these major epiphanies or revelations of Jesus as the Christ, the Gospels recorded many more minor ones such as when Jesus heals the sick, drives out demons and multiplies bread. However, epiphanies are not limited to Jesus’ time on earth. Even today we can experience epiphanies or manifestations of the Divine if only we are open to them. The great mystics, such as Saint Teresa of Avilla and Saint Faustina had such an openness to epiphanies or Divine manifestations that they were able to “see” Christ. For most of us the experience of the divine is much more subtle and discrete. Some people may experience God’s presence during a walk in the mountains or a swim in an ocean. The birth of a child or the love of a spouse may be the cause of an epiphany or realization of God’s presence.
Guardini contends that when celebrated well, the Eucharist is the primary locus for epiphanies or Divine revelations. After all, heaven and earth touch during the celebration of the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the ‘thin space’ between heaven and earth. The Eucharist creates portals to the Divine as we lift our hearts to God in prayer and as God comes down to us in the Word, proclaimed, in the assembly at prayer, in the celebrating priest and above all in the precious Body and Blood of Christ.
Today, on the Solemnity of the Epiphany let us celebrate the Eucharist well and with purpose so that we too, may experience the Divine presence as manifested to the Magi so many years ago. And beyond today, let us make every Sunday a true celebration of God’s epiphany or presence among us.