The Radiance of His Presence
“Three mysteries mark this holy day:
today the star leads the Magi to the infant Christ;
today water is changed into wine for the wedding feast;
today Christ wills to be baptized by John in the river Jordan to bring us salvation.”
-Magnificat Antiphon from Epiphany Vespers
Epiphany is a liturgical feast with a title that shines uniquely on the calendar. We tend to think of Epiphany as referring essentially to the arrival of the Magi from out of the East to offer their gifts to the Christ Child. The above liturgical text reveals, however, that the manifestation of Christ as having come not only for the Jews but for the Gentiles is not limited to this single biblical event. The revelation of Christ as Savior for the world has many aspects that transcend a single event.
The interweaving of the Epiphany mysteries of the visit by the Magi, the wedding feast at Cana and the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan, are especially on display in the liturgies of the Eastern Churches, such as those liturgies used by our neighbors at St. John the Baptist Byzantine Church and St. Constantine Ukrainian Catholic Church here in Northeast Minneapolis. Perhaps as we come to this great Solemnity which is the culmination of the Christmas season, we might be reminded that we need our understanding of these feasts to be stretched. If we allow them, the rhythms of the Church’s liturgical seasons can work their way in us. We sometimes domesticate the biblical scenes and mysteries by our familiarity with them, but the Church’s liturgy always calls us to a new encounter with the Mystery Himself: Christ who is the Revelation of the Eternal Father! He is, as the Church traditionally speaks of Him, “semper maior” – always more!
This year, given how Christmas fell on the calendar, Monday, January 9, marks the final day of the Christmas Season with the commemoration of the Lord’s Baptism. That said, there is a longstanding tradition to consider Candlemas on February 2 as the final day of Christmastide. As we did the last two years, we will host a very special evening Latin Mass for Candlemas at St. Clement. Stay tuned for details. While it is perfectly legitimate to leave Christmas decorations up through that feast, the liturgical books of the Church direct a return to Ordinary Time beginning this week. I often remind the faithful (and myself) that Christ was not just born at Christmas to remain in the crib, but He had to grow. And grow we must too! Ordinary Time is effectively a time to grow up with Christ and come to ever fuller stature.
As we give thanks for the abundant blessings of Christmastide, I want to offer a special word of gratitude for all who cleaned and decorated our churches for Christmas as well as all who were involved with the special liturgies, concerts and festivities of this sacred (and busy) time. On behalf of our parish clergy and staff, I write to express our heartfelt thanks for their kind service and for those who brought so many tasty treats and generous gifts to share. This has truly been a season of generosity. We are especially grateful for our Polish Saturday School who celebrate Epiphany this weekend with a festive Jasełka Nativity Play.
As we look ahead, I am excited to let you know that a parish pilgrimage is taking shape with a very exciting destination: Poland. I have been working with a pilgrimage company called illume to put together a truly unforgettable trip. Fr. Cyprian and some of our Polish parishioners will also be weighing in. Our exact dates and itinerary are firming up, but it is looking like late September into early October. Stay tuned and feel free to let me know if you are interested in joining us.
Let’s savor the radiance of Christ’s Presence in these final days of Christmas and beyond!
~Fr. Howe