From the Friars: God Shows Himself
One of my favorite movies growing up was Cool Hand Luke. Paul Newman plays a restless prison inmate frustrated with life. As a kid I enjoyed the exciting escape and chase scenes. But seeing the movie again a couple of years ago, I was very struck by its religious symbolism and meaning. Luke lands in jail when he gets drunk and cuts the heads off some parking meters, for no reason other than his deep discontentment. We learn that his father abandoned his mother and his fiancé had left him for another man.
Two key scenes show Luke talking to God directly and reveal his inner struggle. He shouts to Heaven in the midst of a thunder storm: “Let me know you are up there … love me, hate me, anything, just let me know it!” Frustrated at the apparent lack of an answer, Luke says, “just standing in the rain, talking to myself.” The final scene is a sort of confession and is open to interpretation but I see real hope of redemption.
Adoration of the Magi, by El Greco, 1568 (Museo Soumaya, Mexico City)
On this Solemnity of the Epiphany, I think especially of Luke’s shouting to God in the rain. He is hurt and frustrated but also proud and putting God to the test. He wants a miraculous sign according to his own terms. The Wise Men sought their Creator in humility and faith. They searched the Scriptures to learn when and how the Lord chooses to reveal Himself. They discover the prophecy of the star from the book of Numbers and are blessed to witness it manifestation.
This is a very important example for us in our own lives. There are countless miracles and manifestations of the power and goodness of God, if we only have the eyes and heart to see them. The night the Savior of the world was born the whole host of Heaven appeared to humble shepherds and sang, “Glory to God in the Highest!” The common experience of rain falling on us is also an ordinary way that the Source of all existence reveals Himself.
Let us be deeply grateful to our Father in Heaven for manifesting Himself to us, especially in the greatest Epiphany of all: the Divine Child in the manger.
–Fr. Peter