The Epiphany of the Lord

Epiphany, observed on this Sunday, rather than on the traditional date of January 6, seems to be sooner than usual. In some countries it is called "Little Christmas" and gifts are exchanged today in imitation of the gifts brought by the Magi to Jesus. In the Eastern Churches, it is observed on January 6th and is called the Theophany of the Lord: a three-fold revelation of Jesus: to the Gentiles, represented by the Magi; the Father's revelation, "This is my beloved Son", at his baptism in the Jordan, and through his own first miracle at Cana. The revelation is clear: This Jesus is the Son of God, the long-expected Messiah.
Yesterday, January 2, we celebrated the 193rd anniversary of the founding of the Marist Brothers. How fitting that it coincides so closely with the Epihapny. We, as Maritsts, consecrated or lay, are part of a vision and a reality that makes Jesus known and loved. We reveal Jesus by our teaching and our actions. And, in a sense, our gifts are acts of love, of effort, of searching, of finding, of acknowledging, of adoring, as were the gifts of the Magi. Let us renew with the early Marists part of their pledge of service: "Mother of the Lord Jesus, we pledge ourselves to endure sufferings, hard work, difficulty and if needs be torture, because we can do all things in Christ Jesus who strengthens us." (Fourviere Pledge, 1816).