Epiphany

My dear Friends in Christ,

We all know people who tell us that Christmas ends on December 26, because that’s when all the good sales start. Some fail to realize that throughout Christian History, Christmas lasts for twelve days until January 6. We celebrate on the following Sunday. This feast marks the end of Christmas and is called “Epiphany.” In the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, Epiphany celebrates the revelation that Jesus was the Son of God. It focuses primarily on this revelation to the Three Wise Men, but also on His Baptism in the River Jordan at the Wedding at Cana. The Epiphany helps us better understand the Nativity because the revelation of Christ as the Son of God, both as an infant and at His Baptism, illuminate the Mysteries of the Christmas Season. We also celebrate the Visitation of the Magi who were learned wise men from the East that followed the Star to the Manger to pay the new born King homage. They were willing to take the risk and to avoid Herod’s request to return to him with the information of where he was located. They brought gifts of frankincense, myrrh, and gold that pointed not only to Christ’s divinity and his revelation to the Magi as the King of Kings, but also to His Crucifixion. The story of the Epiphany and the courage of the Magi convey a theological truth that we are each called by God to be His co-creators in the building of the reign of God here on earth.

The Annual Catholic Appeal for 2022 ends January 31, 2023. The New Cycle begins late February/early March.

May God Bless You All,

Father John