When I was sixteen, I remember discovering that people, whom I thought that I knew, were strangers. I remember that struggle to deal with the tension of appearances and hiddenness; the "masks" that most of us wear to cope with reality. It was an epiphany, an "aha", and a moment of awakening where the paradox of life was burned into my memory. It was an abstract moment that became almost concrete…touchable, made "manifest". That is how Webster's Dictionary defines the word "epiphany", as "manifestation."

In the Christian Liturgical calendar, the church year follows the cycle of the life of Christ. The season of Epiphany immediately follows Advent and Christmas, and comes before Lent, Easter, and Pentecost (the birth of the Christian Church). When we think of Epiphany, we usually think of the story of the wise men following the star to the baby Jesus. The Epiphany Star is so named because it is the star of "manifestation"...of God's self in Jesus Christ. It is a great mystery. It is another paradox. Immanuel, "God with us."

What are other epiphanies? What are other "aha's" or moments of truth when we discover something that moves us from one point in life and faith, to another? What did we do with those moments and those experiences? What happens to us when we are "in the dark" and come suddenly upon an unexpected source of light? Or even more disturbing, what happens when the "light" finds us, stumbling in the darkness? Where do we go from there? How far are we really willing to go to search for direction, to find meaning, to explore a mystery, and to complete a mission for faith; for God; for Christ?

As the contributors for this issue of EcuMiniNet™ Online! have dealt with this subject and these questions, we are inviting you to e-mail, call, write, or fax and share some of your perspectives on this subject. Here at the e-zine, we value your insights and would like to share your responses in our Creative Comments and/or Wisdom & Wonderings sections.

We welcome e-mail notes, thoughts, inspirational photography (please send via j-peg files), scanned original art, poetry, etc. Perhaps your experience, creativity, or mission/calling can be a moment of connectedness and an "epiphany" for someone else. While we are not "the light", it is our task to reflect it.

Blessings upon you, wherever you find yourself in life, faith, and service.

Janine C. Hagan, Editor-in-Chief

<<Back to Archives

View for Printing

Contributors
Staff
Advertising
Internships

Send this Page to a Friend

Add Me to Mailing List