An Epiphany Message From the Dean

 

Birth and Death

All this was a long time ago, I remember,
And I would do it again, but set down
This set down
This: were we led all that way for Birth or Death?
There was a Birth, certainly,
We had evidence and no doubt. I had seen birth and death,
But had thought they were different; this Birth was
Hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death.
We returned to our places, these Kingdoms,
But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation,
With an alien people clutching their gods.
I should be glad of another death.

from The Journey of the Magi, T.S. Elliot

Epiphany gives us opportunities to focus on God’s mission to the world as we see signs and wonders – epiphanies of Divine love manifested in the ongoing mighty acts of God. It begins with the celebration of the revelation of the Christ Child to the Gentiles, as represented by the Magi or Kings. But it reaches far beyond that to include the radical embrace of baptismal belonging and the power of God to transform the ordinary into sacred and holy gifts – to bless us and to offer those gifts in service to others.

In a sense it is the Church’s mission season, and one hopes that “outsiders” looking in will catch the Church being such a sign of Divine love and radical acceptance – as the promise of abundant life which is meant for all creatures is made into more than a hope or dream.

Epiphany is the season when we are drawn by that long-ago Star and the first Signs and Wonders of Jesus. It also becomes a time which we can set aside to practice entering into God’s dream for us as the people of God.

That dream becomes reality when we answer the call to become the light, when we reflect it and attract others to it – all people everywhere – to God’s love.

Then we not only see the signs of God’s love, but we also become signs of that love. That is a job each of us – with our unique (once-in-all-of-eternity) gifts – is called to as we learn to love that radically.

Blessings to you from this great Cathedral, where through liturgy and art, and through other forms of discourse, we are invited into the Conversation that transforms us, as we become advocates for God’s love, justice and peace, in this City, the Nation and the World.

 

The Very Reverend Dr. James A. Kowalski
Dean of the Cathedral

Click here for information on the Cathedral's Dean.

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