Feast of the Epiphany

 We are so accustomed to the Christian Church being dominated by non-Jews that the significance of us Gentiles being grafted onto the roots of the Jewish religion is taken for granted. For St Paul this development in the history of humanity was epoch making. It was not something that could possibly have been anticipated of discovered through human reason. He speaks of "... how the mystery was made known to me by revelation,,, that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise of promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel." (Eph 3: 3, 5-6) In verse 4, which we do not have in our lectionary presentation states: "... as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ." This reading had and still has a revolutionary impact on Jews who are being asked to open up their status as the Chosen People and to participate in a united humanity with the same mission of salvation for the forgiveness of sins. Gentiles for their part are called to abandon their foundational myths and to embrace the moral, theological and spiritual heritage of the Old Testament. As Saul, St Paul, perceive this as an existential threat to what it meant for the Jewish people. After his conversion, directly from Christ, he saw it as a plan for the whole of humanity in which the rule of the Jewish Law did not hold central position rather it was the power of the risen Christ. St Paul, therefore, had his "epiphany" or revelation of God's plan for him. Have we had an "epiphany" moment of our own which challenges us to embrace the revolutionary love of Christ and be commissioned to serve him and him alone in the plan of salvation?