Ordination at St. Patrick's Cathedral

Ordination at St. Patrick's Cathedral
June 19, 2010

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Epiphany







The Epiphany of the Lord




This may be surprising to a lot of people, but the Church is still celebrating Christmas! The Christmas season extends beyond December 25th. The Christmas season concludes with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, this year celebrated on the Church Calendar on Monday, January 8th. This is all part of what many consider the three manifestations of Jesus to the world.



The first was on Christmas Day. He was made known to those around him. Once born the Shepherds heard of the birth of Jesus from the choirs of Angels announcing the good news of His birth. They came and did him homage.

The second manifestation occurs on the Feast of the Epiphany, this year celebrated on Sunday, January 7th, 2018. The three wise men traveled a great distance, following the star as they went in search of this great event: the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. After consulting with King Herod, they found the Christ Child. This was the second manifestation: these three foreigners came at a great distance and discovered God’s presence in the form of Jesus Christ. They did him homage, giving Jesus their treasures. How often do we come into Christ’s presence at mass and give Him the attention that He deserves? The Three Wise men realized the special gift that was in front of them. When we’re at mass, we need to realize the gift that’s in front of us and give Christ our complete attention and love. The treasure that Jesus is searching for is our whole being, dedicated to loving Him and serving Him in how we live our lives.

The final manifestation is on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, when, while being baptized by John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove, and God the Father says, “You aremy beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11). Here God manifests Himself and shows that God is a Trinity of persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

As we conclude this Christmas season, with the three ways God manifested Himself to us in history, let us continue to develop that relationship with Him by making Him the center of all who we are. We are to be focused on Him at Mass and worship Him as the three Kings did, and then we are to leave Church, with Christ in our hearts, to remind the world that Christ is in our midst.

Praise be Jesus Christ, now and forever, Deacon Tom Tortorella


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