Epiphany Epiphany (feeling), the sudden realization or comprehension of the essence or meaning of something. The term epiphany means "to show" or "to make known" or even "to reveal." (Wikipedia).
USCCB’s Glossary lists the following: The feast which celebrates the manifestation to the world of the newborn Christ as Messiah, Son of God, and Savior of the world. The feast of Epiphany celebrates the adoration of Jesus by the wise men (magi) from the East, together with his baptism in the Jordan and the wedding feast of Cana in Galilee (528; cf. 535).
I’m uncertain of the word as it applies to the battle against addiction.
Who needs an epiphany?
Would I / we “know it if we saw one?”
How can you trust that it is real and not an illusion?
Can you have more than one?
What does it cost?
Would an epiphany cure cravings?
I wonder.
Friday night, after getting acquainted with the northside, IMPD, and Wishard, the last thing I expected for anyone was an epiphany. Seemed like we had had all the manifestations we could stand. So, on the evening after the Feast of the Epiphany, a Monday, I learned that Sarah has signed up for 12 hours at IVY Tech, the state’s community college.
Epiphany? What is being revealed here? Hope! “Stay tuned!” Go Sarah, we’re behind you! You can do it. And possibly that birthday gift (good-bye bf) arrived a bit early.
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2 comments:
So there I was at church (somewhat infrequent appearance) on the Feast of the Epiphany. I was thinking of Sarah, when it came time to sing, "Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to that perfect Light." And it was a minor epiphany for me, in partial answer to your question, that this is how we deal with addictions. We follow a hope, which is certainly what the star represents, and that guides us. We are often lost, but we have faith that we will find the way as long as we look toward that perfect Light. At least I hope so. Much love.
I don't think the Justice Potter Stewart jurisprudence of pornography translates to epiphanies, especially not with addiction and recovery. (Maybe the Alex Kozinski approach to pornography, but I'll leave that to the bloggers with an axe to grind ...).
I like to think - contrary to what is suggested by the text of the Bible - that the power of some force, like something that compels you to walk for miles upon miles through with a direction certain, is so awesome that you don't realize what has manifest. It's like when you look at the face of someone you love, or someone you don't know who is truly suffering, and you feel that "I-Thou" moment that the epiphany happens. You don't know what you are seeing, you don't know what you are thinking, but it is there and for however long you can measure a moment, it is your epiphany. As soon as you name it ("Hey! That's Jesus Christ over there!"), or separate yourself from it by self-reflection, the epiphany is over and it is time to get to work.
So, I agree that it is hope - or a desire to return to the comfort of that moment when you first laid eyes on the King of Kings - that continues to guide people through the desert. There are moments along the way where the spirit washes over us and that is the epiphany. Then there is our reflection on it - what we do with the epiphany - that truly reflects what we can become (and not so much who we are).
The biggest danger for the addict - or for those lost in some other way - is to try to replace the epiphany, to not truly hope for the spirit. I think those people (myself included when I am lost) are not prepared to receive the spirit. What a world.
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