He then spoke on how actions have reactions and sometimes, no actions have reactions. He asked us, “Have you done any actions lately that resulted in reactions”?
His homily on that Sunday’s celebration ~ the Epiphany of the Lord ~ followed. The word “epiphany” comes from the Greek epiphainen, a verb that means- “to shine upon,” “to manifest,” or “to make known.” and was connected to the visit of the magi also known as the three wise men.
The account of the magi is rightly celebrated as an Epiphany of our Lord. The main significance of this account is that God so wonderfully revealed the identity of Jesus as Messiah and King of the Jews to these Gentile magi. It seems to be a wonderful fulfillment of the prophet Simeon’s prophecy, that Jesus would be, “a light of revelation to the Gentiles” (Luke 2:31). To shine upon ~ as the Light of the World. The homily told a story of actions to reactions – of the birth of Jesus, the visit of the magi, the threat (action) of Herod to first-borns, and the flight (reaction) to Egypt to escape it.
The priest again asked if we had done any actions recently that resulted in reactions. He suggested we might imitate the volunteer who doesn’t know that she is referred to and spoken of at every mass to many parishioners or that her action resulted in the reaction of comfort to an ailing patient.
What could we do to mirror her actions of giving and sharing? Can we manufacture good reactions? Can we forgive someone we are at odds with? Could we send a letter of forgiveness to someone with whom who we are angry and/or have stopped talking to?
Could we make amends for some miscommunication or a bad attitude? Can we have our own ‘epiphany’ over some matter that we only saw our side on? Can a ‘light of revelation’ be found in the actions of others and our reaction to them? Can we cause a chain reaction of kindness through our actions? We might gather balm for others as well as for ourselves if we see matters in another ‘Light’.
Have you had an epiphany over anything lately? Or about God? If not, think about special feelings or events in your life and see if there is revelation or epiphany that you missed.
I recalled one as he spoke. Once I had a dream in which God told me He was sending me a gift. It was a pleasant and great dream and shortly after, I received two gifts on the same day which could only be from God. I wondered if one of them was the gift of my dream. Off and on I wondered about this. They were both wonderful gifts.
But which one was 'my dream gift?" And one day, much later, I had an epiphany. They were both from God and so are so many other blessings He has bestowed on me. Everything He sends me is a gift. And in His Wisdom, I felt He sent me two together and knew I would wonder and think on this. It took a while, but I got it. All good things come from God and all are His gifts to me and I give gratitude not just for one, but for all.
Actions have reactions. And no actions have reactions, too. Pass along an action that will make someone react in happiness especially to those for whom it will surprise. It will be balm for both of you.
I told the priest after mass that my reaction to his homily is to create this blog article and pass on his words. I also told him his homilies were wonderful.