Day after day, we read the Scripture to know and to understand –
to know better, to understand more deeply who God is.
The Bible texts offer us images and symbols, they relate events, they describe situations.
Very often, they present us a message by way of contrast, of opposites.
We see this in the readings of today’s feast as we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord.
The 1st reading shows us a landscape of darkness overcome by light (Isaiah 60:1-6):
“Arise, shine, for your light has come… and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you… Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn”.
People who had been exiled return in joy and celebration:
“Your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip.
Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy”.
The gospel text presents us with a series of paradoxes, of realities turn around all of a sudden (Matthew 2:12):
Magi from the East, learned people, are searching, questioning to find their way.
Having reached their destination, they prostrate themselves before a new-born.
They offer this child gifts fitting a powerful ruler.
They trust the deceitful king Herod but, warned in a dream, they managed to outwit him.
Looking at these scenes, better still contemplating what they suggest…
Do we not perceive something of our own personal experience?
We know too well the darkness, the questioning, the feeling of being far from those we love, the deceitfulness of some people?…
And yet… do we not also experience some personal… ‘epiphanies’ – the revelation in the here-and-now of our lives – of the One who has made 
himself “God-with-us”?
Epiphanies – manifestations, real and unmistakable – that
we are not alone,
our search is not in vain,
light will prevail over darkness,
our lives have meaning,
God hears our cry when we feel we can no longer cope…
We can walk in HOPE… Someone shows the way and walks with us…
Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/lepiphanie-du-seigneur-annee-c-2025/
Source: Images: pexels.com (Ray Bilcliff; Keenan Constance; fauxels; AndreaPiacquadio)
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In many areas of Quebec Province, countless orange cones raise their heads – they seem to be everywhere.