Part 2 of my earlier comment.I’ll try one more time to post the Mary
Oliver poem ... “All night my heart makes its way however it can over the rough ground of uncertainties, but only until night meets and then is overwhelmed by morning, the light deepening ,the wind easing and just waiting, as I too wait (and when have I ever been disappointed?) for the Redbird to sing.”
The Greek Orthodox commonly refer to the Epiphany as 'ta Fota' / "the feast of Lights", for the enlightenment God gave to humanity. The revelation of God to humanity.
The early church celebrated both Christmas and Epiphany on the same day, January 6.
In the Greek Orthodox tradition, this day commemorates:
* the revelation of God to humanity through the birth of Jesus
* the baptism of Jesus
* the manifestation of the Holy Spirit (in the form of a dove)
* the first revelation of the Triune God together
* the Great Blessing of Water, the reference to the baptism of Jesus and "expresses Orthodoxy's belief that creation is sanctified through Christ."
Light and water; both are essential to sustain life and both can take away physical life.
Thank you for shining a light on the subject of epiphanies, there is something so mysterious and magical about a divine "nudge" and an awakening in the midst of life.
Active Epiphany! Time to get to work, like 1 Corinthians 12:27 reminds us. I am the body of Christ. “The frozen world starts giving way to something else...” coupled with “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of [the Holy Spirit] rises [within] you.” This is what has been stirring within my soul. I’ve seen the signs of what my daughter with disabilities needs in her life but the frozen institutionalized system isn’t working for her. Like the Magi, I’m setting out to follow my intuition and “surprise and disrupt the accepted course of existence” in our realm. As always, THANK YOU Diana for this essay helping me to live an active spiritual life beyond the congregations that exiled us.
“Epiphany beckons us to pay attention and participate in widening the circle of light in the world — to push back against all brittle injustice and brutality.”
This is guiding inspiration for us climate justice activists. We are summoned to be “wideners” of the circle of light and love . Thanks Diana.
"The star is an invitation, a calling to do something - to act" reminds me how I was lead to retire from my secure job and enter the ministry. My epiphany came during the 20 years of caring for my son, who had a terminal illness. I saw the light in others who came into our lives loving and caring for us, the face of God we saw in them. My epiphany comforted me that all was gong to be ok.
Your writing today reminds me of a dream I had very early in my seeking. I was walking along a path and I saw a man, a rabbi, walking toward me. As our paths met he looked to his right into an ice covered lake. He reached through the ice and lifted out a frozen baby girl and handed her to me. I knew exactly what was happening! He handed me myself as an infant. This epiphany changed the course of my life. I was in my late 30's and I went from this dream into a deep inner healing over the next several years. As I remember I had 3 significant dreams that were guiding lights. Thank you for reminding me of my own history of "light" shining on the path before me.
I recently watched the movie “The Fourth Wise Man” (With Martin Sheen, Alan Arjun, and others) with our Bible study/discussion group. The wonderful contrast of characters looking for “the new King/Messiah” and those who discovered Jesus in Jesus-The-Servant. Even among those I was watching it with, some looked at seeing the person, Jesus, while a few saw the “Epiphany” of those who found Jesus in “Way”, and “Life.”
Robert Frost’s poem “Choose something like a star”
came to mind as I read your reflection.
...it asks a little of us here, demands of us s certain height...when at times the mob is swayed to carry praise or blame too far, we may choose something like a star to stay our minds on and be staid.
Composer Randall Thompson included this in his FROSTIANA choral works. It has been an inspiration to me for over 50 years.
“Epiphany is a cracking of the ice underfoot.” Thank you for the experience of these words. You captured Epiphany...cracking open our darkness so God’s light could shine through.
Thank you for this clarity. I will subscribe as financial situation allows. Much appreciation.
Part 2 of my earlier comment.I’ll try one more time to post the Mary
Oliver poem ... “All night my heart makes its way however it can over the rough ground of uncertainties, but only until night meets and then is overwhelmed by morning, the light deepening ,the wind easing and just waiting, as I too wait (and when have I ever been disappointed?) for the Redbird to sing.”
What wonderful thoughts on Epiphany. Thank you, Diana! I am reminded of Mary Oliver’s poem, A Thousand Mornings.’
The Greek Orthodox commonly refer to the Epiphany as 'ta Fota' / "the feast of Lights", for the enlightenment God gave to humanity. The revelation of God to humanity.
The early church celebrated both Christmas and Epiphany on the same day, January 6.
In the Greek Orthodox tradition, this day commemorates:
* the revelation of God to humanity through the birth of Jesus
* the baptism of Jesus
* the manifestation of the Holy Spirit (in the form of a dove)
* the first revelation of the Triune God together
* the Great Blessing of Water, the reference to the baptism of Jesus and "expresses Orthodoxy's belief that creation is sanctified through Christ."
Light and water; both are essential to sustain life and both can take away physical life.
I like the Auden quote. Is that part of a longer poem?
Thank you for shining a light on the subject of epiphanies, there is something so mysterious and magical about a divine "nudge" and an awakening in the midst of life.
Lovely Diana. Thank you. Just what I needed on this Epiphany Eve/12th day of Christmas.
Thank you Diana,
This is just what I needed to hear. God bless you.
Active Epiphany! Time to get to work, like 1 Corinthians 12:27 reminds us. I am the body of Christ. “The frozen world starts giving way to something else...” coupled with “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of [the Holy Spirit] rises [within] you.” This is what has been stirring within my soul. I’ve seen the signs of what my daughter with disabilities needs in her life but the frozen institutionalized system isn’t working for her. Like the Magi, I’m setting out to follow my intuition and “surprise and disrupt the accepted course of existence” in our realm. As always, THANK YOU Diana for this essay helping me to live an active spiritual life beyond the congregations that exiled us.
That will preach!
“Epiphany beckons us to pay attention and participate in widening the circle of light in the world — to push back against all brittle injustice and brutality.”
This is guiding inspiration for us climate justice activists. We are summoned to be “wideners” of the circle of light and love . Thanks Diana.
"The star is an invitation, a calling to do something - to act" reminds me how I was lead to retire from my secure job and enter the ministry. My epiphany came during the 20 years of caring for my son, who had a terminal illness. I saw the light in others who came into our lives loving and caring for us, the face of God we saw in them. My epiphany comforted me that all was gong to be ok.
Your writing today reminds me of a dream I had very early in my seeking. I was walking along a path and I saw a man, a rabbi, walking toward me. As our paths met he looked to his right into an ice covered lake. He reached through the ice and lifted out a frozen baby girl and handed her to me. I knew exactly what was happening! He handed me myself as an infant. This epiphany changed the course of my life. I was in my late 30's and I went from this dream into a deep inner healing over the next several years. As I remember I had 3 significant dreams that were guiding lights. Thank you for reminding me of my own history of "light" shining on the path before me.
I recently watched the movie “The Fourth Wise Man” (With Martin Sheen, Alan Arjun, and others) with our Bible study/discussion group. The wonderful contrast of characters looking for “the new King/Messiah” and those who discovered Jesus in Jesus-The-Servant. Even among those I was watching it with, some looked at seeing the person, Jesus, while a few saw the “Epiphany” of those who found Jesus in “Way”, and “Life.”
Thank you, Diana!
Robert Frost’s poem “Choose something like a star”
came to mind as I read your reflection.
...it asks a little of us here, demands of us s certain height...when at times the mob is swayed to carry praise or blame too far, we may choose something like a star to stay our minds on and be staid.
Composer Randall Thompson included this in his FROSTIANA choral works. It has been an inspiration to me for over 50 years.
“Epiphany is a cracking of the ice underfoot.” Thank you for the experience of these words. You captured Epiphany...cracking open our darkness so God’s light could shine through.