We can remove or lessen the darkness of the evil around us by being, if not like stars, at least like candles, radiating Jesus’ love

The Feast of the Epiphany celebrates Jesus’ first manifestation to the Gentiles, represented by the Magi, while in the Eastern Church, the Feast commemorates the baptism of Christ, when the Father and the Holy Spirit gave combined testimony to Jesus’ identity as Son of God. Later, at Cana Jesus revealed His Divinity by transforming water into wine. These multiple revelations are all suggested by the Feast of the Epiphany.

We celebrate three wondrous events on this holy day: Today the star leads the Magi to the stable, today Christ is baptized by John in the Jordan for our salvation, today the water is changed into wine at the wedding feast at Cana, because of their common theme of manifestation (in Greek “epiphania”). In these events Jesus progressively reveals what he is in reality, the Messiah and savior.

God reveals himself to people differently. To simple shepherds he sends an angel; to the wise who scrutinize the courses of the heavenly bodies he sends a star; to the Jews attached to signs, he gives a sign, that is, a miracle: He changes water into wine.

With what signs does Christ reveal himself to us in our time? When Jesus spoke of the “signs of the times,” he meant above all the messianic signs: “The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news preached to them”

Are there such signs today? Certainly there are! The blind receive the light of faith and hope through contact with the word of our Lord and Savior, the spiritually lame get up and walk; those who are prisoners in themselves, are freed from their chains; in sum, people are converted and live through the power of Christ and his Spirit.

We can remove or lessen the darkness of the evil around us by being, if not like stars, at least like candles, radiating Jesus’ love by selfless service, unconditional forgiveness, and compassionate care.