One of the imaginative contributions of the Christian tradition, which we appropriated from the Jewish tradition, is the development of liturgical or worship “seasons.” The liturgical seasons identify key “events” in our shaping narratives and invite us to reflect on the “terrain” of those events as descriptors for the varied moods, landscapes and narratives of our own lives. Each season can function evocatively for us.
Seasons of the Christian Calendar
In Western Christianity our seasons are Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, and Ordinary Time (which I would suggest is a misnomer; no time is ordinary…). According to the Christian calendar we are in the season of Epiphany. It appears between the season of Christmas (yes, Christmas is more than one “day”), and Lent. The broad theme of the season of Epiphany is the realization of God incarnate. Put another way, our experience of God is embodied.
The Greek word epiphainein means “reveal.” Epi as a prefix means upon, on, over, near. Phanos means lantern, torch, or to shine. In ancient Christian Syriac tradition the word for epiphany denha means sunrise. Epiphany then suggests the appearance or manifestation of something unrecognized, or yet brought to light. An epiphany is the sudden perception of the essential nature or meaning of something. An intuitive grasp of reality. Usually through something simple and striking. Synonyms for epiphany include insight, realization, vision, surprise.
The Season of Epiphany
The season of Epiphany reminds us that there are times in our lives when something that was hidden breaks through and reveals. We come to know something, as if for the first time. Epiphanies have a deep ring of “truth,” at once familiar and also new. Such an insight, realization, “seeing,” serves to open our senses to the sacred, the divine, or “God.” Which is why epiphanies and theophanies (realization about the nature of God) are often interchangeable. When Job says I knew of Thee by the hearing of the ear but now my eye sees Thee, he describes an epiphany (or theophany). It is a first hand experience rather than second hand.
Thomas Merton writes in light of an epiphany (perhaps the one at 4th and Walnut — see our continuing conversation) that opened his awareness of life as a whole. “Life is this simple. We are living in a world that is absolutely transparent, and God is shining through it all the time. This is not just a fable or a nice story. It is true. If we abandon ourselves to God and forget ourselves, we see it sometimes, and we see it maybe frequently. God shows Himself (sic) everywhere, in everything — in people and in things and in nature and in events. It becomes very obvious that God is everywhere and in everything and we cannot be without Him (sic). It’s impossible. The only thing is that we don’t see it.”
The Blind Beggar
In the Gospel of Mark, the blind beggar Bartimaeus is asked by Jesus, what do you want me to do for you? And Bartimaeus implores, help me see again. (Who among us does not feel like a blind beggar from time to time.) The story suggests we all have “eyes to see” but are “blind,” whether from the accumulation of grief or fear, or circumstances that have assailed us, or acculturation. Our “blindness” blocks our senses and limits our perception of the world. The story goes onto say that when the blind beggar received sight “he followed Jesus on the way.” In these six words we learn that the world became absolutely transparent for Bartimaeus and God was shining through it. It changed the way he lived forward. (Note: Here I am using the story of Bartimaeus on its own terms. Within the context of Mark’s Gospel and its placement in the season of Lent more can be said.)
I suggest epiphanies lead to greater compassion, empathy, gratitude, awe and wonder. They are buoyancy for life’s uncertainty. They change our perceptions. And give us courage. Hope. They cause us to act. Epiphanies become embodied. If not we haven’t really “seen.”
Epiphanies come like a season. And prepare us for the next. They do not follow a linear calendar. But they surely come.
I add a favorite quote of Marc’s and mine from Augustine’s Confessions. I think this reflection expresses how an epiphany, a first hand encounter with something that has always been but only now becomes realized or recognized, ignites the senses. And our senses are portals for the sacred. Again, epiphanies become embodied. They are more than ideas.
How late I came to love you, O Beauty so ancient and so fresh, how late I came to love you! You were within me, yet I had gone outside to seek you. Unlovely myself, I rushed toward all those lovely things you had made. And always you were with me, I was not with you. All these beauties kept me far from you — although they would not have existed at all unless they had their being in you. You called, you cried, you shattered my deafness. You sparkled, you blazed, you drove away my blindness. You shed your fragrance, and I drew in my breath and I pant for you. I tasted and now I hunger and thirst. You touched me, and now I burn with longing for your peace.
Epiphany is often a misused word when someone has a clever insight, and that is okay. When in the depths of depression and the mind is blocked and you cannot look forward to anything and then you get an epiphany and the light of hope and living opens your mind to a good world, then it is time to praise God.
Michael. I am struck by your comment. Yes, when the world is shadowed or dimmed or its indifference is overwhelming an epiphany can be life saving. My own experience: those shafts of light or awareness unbind my own burial clothes. And I see that I am still alive. And even free. Those moments are not contrived. They are given. They come and we see them. And we do nothing to earn that all surrounding grace. Which is part of their healing power. At least for me that has been the case. Thanks for underscoring that there are epiphanies….and then they are Epiphanies. Thanks for being part of the conversation.
I find it very helpful that you gave the context that Epiphany is a season. The general insistence on the atonement theories seems to overshadow the importance of the Christmas and the Epiphany seasons. I’m glad that Francis of Assisi put some emphasis back on the wonder of the incarnation. You capture that beautifully in your post and give much food for prayer. Does the Foundation ever have events on the East coast? Thanks so much,
Dennis. I appreciate your comments. I would like to think Francis was encouraged to emphasize incarnation because Jesus did!! And yes theories of atonement or more specifically substitutionary atonement have unfortunately stained us with “original sin” and the need for forgiveness. As if that is the Christian message. I think the Christian message is about the wonder of creation and the capacity of human beings. Granted we struggle with death. But we are also “beautifully and wonderfully made.” I think some Christianities undervalue the possibilities of human incarnation and overemphasize our fault. And our fault becomes our preoccupation. My next conversations will move us into Lent, Will be curious to know what you think of my take on that season. Thanks so much for delving in. PS the Foundation doesn’t have an east coast event planned…..what do you have in mind?
Beautiful. Thank you.
Mark. Good to hear from you. Thank you for your response. Someone said “Beauty helps us remember. “A provocative thought. If my reflections helped you remember, implication being that you already know, I am gratified. I know from previous correspondence you know well the.transforming power of epiphanies. Glad you are part of this conversation.
very well written with appeal to heart and head!
Beautifully said as usual. I especially like the recognition that epiphanies are “our experience of God.” You use of transparency reminded
me of Rubem Alves in “Transparencies of Eternity. I do think that in a moment of epiphany, the experience is “embodied.” We may have walked by a thousand possible epiphanies without seeing. But when the light is swathed on it becomes personal. Oh, that we would be more open to the presence of God that seeks to shine through our days. Thank you again for a thoughtful message.
Gene. Yes I think we all have opportunities when a glance becomes world. I love your comment. Rubem Alves. I have now completed The Poet, The Warrior, The Prophet. And am grateful I rode upon and delved into his language. Thanks to you who brought my attention to him. Gene, we will continue our conversation our “experiences of God….”
Patricia. Thanks for your kind comment. And yes I think “epiphanies” those numinous disclosures appeal to both! Head and heart. Two of the ways the body comes to know. Stay in touch.