On
many occasions, when explaining something to children, whether in the classroom
or when talking with my Grandchildren, I have frequently heard the words, “Oh,
I see!” After words and careful exposition, after time and patience, and not a
little frustration, realization comes and what was difficult to understand is
made clear.
We often use the word Epiphany outside of its religious context, in
exactly this way. Our appreciation
of a complicated situation comes in a moment and we can move on.
The feast of the Epiphany is
celebrated on January 6th, when the recognition of the Christ-child
is related to us with the arrival of the Magi bringing gifts. The prophecy of
Isaiah is fulfilled and the story of the pilgrim people moving from Old
Testament times into New Testament days began.
Now, all these years on, who is there to do the showing? How is the
Christ-child, whose Nativity we have just celebrated, to be shown to people of
our time? We are continually being asked questions “Who
are you? Who is this Christ whose name you carry?
Is his message credible?
Others
look at the Christ-child through the witness we bear by the example of our words
and our lives, the things we say, our actions day by day. What do they see? What
do they hear?
Our
hesitant journey does not go unnoticed, our mistakes observed and our successes
giving pause for thought. The global reaction to the arrival of Francis in Rome
is evidence enough that others notice not just enormous events but the small
points that indicate attitude and personal values. From the time he personally
settled his room account after the Conclave to his moving out of the Vatican
apartments to occupy two rooms in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, from his openness,
to his smile, all these occasions made people aware that someone had arrived who
shouldn’t be ignored. So they listened to his words and pondered his teaching.
Some, who have been estranged from the Church over recent years paused a moment
and reconsidered.
The
editorial comment in the National Catholic Reporter for December 30th
2014 noted that
“ A
year ago, Pope Francis' photo adorned the covers of Rolling
Stone, The
New Yorker, TIME
magazine and The
Advocate. The latter two named the
pope their person of the year. Francis' personal humility and simplicity, his
common-sense rhetoric seasoned with homespun charm had captured the imagination
of Catholics, non-Catholics and even nonbelievers. Acutely aware of the power of
simple language and of images, Francis set about molding a pontificate for the
age of Facebook and Twitter. Though he has little computer knowledge himself,
Francis harnessed these tools for a new kind of evangelization”.
Francis has brought fresh air
to the Church. He is direct when he has to be and he is to be admired for that.
Stirring the gathered dust of years will always produce a coughing fit, whether
it be in clearing a bookshelf, sorting out the loft or in asking questions of
those whose position of authority is challenged. At other times he is more
nuanced and offers words that, like a good wine, take time to mature.
This New Year brings with it
many unknowns, many questions looking for answers, many issues about which
opinions differ.
Within a few days the
presidency of the United States will be passed to Donald Trump. After eight
years of Obama’s eloquent and balanced leadership of the West, we step into
the unknown with someone whose experience of the political high wire is next to
zero. No wonder many hold their breath at the thought.
Later this year we will be
marking the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther. The cautious yet
positive steps taken by Francis in recent months have already set the tone for
the occasion. We should be concerned and pray that the outcome will bring us
closer together in the name of the Lord.
Our new European adventure
here in the UK will take us into unknown territory, when after over forty years
of membership of the EU we have chosen to change our course and leave the Union.
For all the bluster on both sides of the argument, the outcome is uncertain. The
risks involved are a matter of conjecture.
And all this not withstanding stresses within our community that is the
Church. Our individual responsibility is enormous as we continue our journey. Let
us care for each other on the way as we carry the story of Epiphany into the
manner of our living through the coming months. It is up to us to help others
use the spontaneous reply of children, “Oh,
I see!”.
END
----------------
