Epiphany: When God Reveals Himself to the World

Father Chris Alar, MIC, leads us into the deep meaning of the Epiphany — one of the oldest feasts of the Church, celebrating a cornerstone of our Catholic faith. The word epiphany comes from the Greek meaning “to reveal,” and today the Church celebrates how God reveals Himself to humanity, not in theory, but in history.

Father Chris explains that Epiphany marks true theophanies: God made visible. From the Nativity to the visit of the Magi, from the Baptism of the Lord to the Wedding at Cana, these sacred moments unveil who Jesus truly is. At Christmas, Christ is revealed in His humanity. At Epiphany, He is revealed in His divinity — King, Priest, and God. Gold proclaims His kingship, frankincense His divinity, and myrrh His humanity and sacrifice.

The Magi represent the Gentiles, showing that salvation is not reserved for one people, but offered to all. Christ comes first to the shepherds — the poor and humble — and then to the wise and learned. In this, no one is excluded. Rich or poor, educated or simple, Jew or Gentile, Christ comes for every soul.

Father Chris reminds us that Liturgical feasts are not random or disconnected. The Church, in her wisdom, orders them to teach us who Jesus is: fully man and fully God. The Epiphany completes Christmas, revealing the fullness of the mystery of Bethlehem. As Scripture tells us, “We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage” (Mt 2:2; NABRE).

This homily is an invitation to rediscover the riches of our Catholic faith and to let Christ — revealed in glory — transform our hearts anew.