Epiphany on the Epiphany

So during a long day of planning, prayer, and preparation with the student leaders of our Campus Ministry, something struck me in a profound way. I guess you can say I had an epiphany on the feast of the Epiphany. I had created the newest section of my “Meditations of a Modern Mystic” (a short book of Catholic/Christian meditations) It’s not yet published. Don’t steal my title or ideas! This meditation focuses on the three magi who visited the baby Jesus after following pagan astrology and ancient prophecies. These three kings, as they are often described, traveled through the desert for days following a star. This star led them to where the King of Kings was to be born and thus fulfill the prophecies which they dedicated their lives to studying.

These wise men may or may not have believed that the prophecies were true or that they would find a baby who would save the world lying in a manger. However they followed a star, blindly. They went on through sand storms and risk of danger and harm due to desert thieves and bandits. What made them continue on?

When they arrived, they found that all they had studied was true. Everything had come to be and they knelt before the King of Kings. They were among the first to participate in Adoration of our savior. They were the first Christians.

At this point in the meditation, is when I had my epiphany. I realized that God made pagan astronomers believe in Him. They were speechless. They fell to their knees in wonder and amazement at the sight of God made man-Emmanuel. They offered Him some of the finest gifts of the time. Why? God makes men and women do some pretty unexplainable things

For instance, St. Paul, formerly Saul, had Christians killed and God made him do a complete 180 and Paul began to evangelize the world. Mother Theresa cared for and loved the poorest and sickest of people. People wake up every Sunday morning and go to a building where they repeat prayers that have been said for thousands of years—prayers and words that are routed in scripture. These people eat and drink their God! Why?

The epiphany, my friends, is this. There is a reason why we call our faith a mystery. There is a reason why for thousands of years theologians and philosophers, believers and non-believers have been trying to explain God. He is just that AWE-some. In every sense of that word. That word is tosses around in frat houses and college campuses very frequently. But think about it—awesome—full of awe. God has an unexplainable presence that He reveals to us each and every day in the Eucharist. Why have we grown numb to the wonder and awe experienced by the wise kings 2000 years ago? Why do we not fall to our knees and offer Him all that we have and all that we are? Why are we struggling to go and spread the good news to all as the kings did and as St. Paul did?

My challenge for us all is this—1. Follow His guiding light, 2. Adore and praise the King who has come, 3. Offer Him all that we are, 4. GO HOME and bring Him to those we love.