by Joseph Nangle, OFM
Pax Christi USA 2023 Teacher of Peace
It is appropriate that the Christmas season continues during these first weeks of the New Year.
The birth of Jesus is followed by the Gospel stories of his appearances, epiphanies, as truly “Emmanuel” – God with us – at a certain moment in human history.
Traditionally, three outstanding events constitute such epiphanies, one in the Infant narratives, the visit of the Magi, and two later in the Gospels, Jesus’ baptism by John and his miracle at the wedding feast of Cana.
Two other moments catch the eye in this regard. We learn of the poor shepherd folk, the first to hear the “tidings of great joy” and hurry to see this marvelous event; we’re told of the old man and old woman, Simeon and Anna, who recognize the infant when his parents present him to God in the temple in accordance with Jewish custom. “My eyes have seen your salvation [Lord] … a light for revelation to the Gentiles…” (Simeon); “she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem” (Anna).
Dominican friar Timothy Radcliffe, whom Pope Francis asked to lead the three-day retreat prior to the recent Synod, offers a beautiful metaphor for these epiphanies – “God has smiled at us” in the manifestation of his Word Made Man.
Reflecting on this image, it dawns on us that each of these favored individuals who witnessed Christ’s appearances surely responded with smiles of their own at the great good fortune of having recognized God’s smile in the newborn infant and later in the Carpenter of Nazareth. And Radcliffe also reminds us of the beautiful and obvious fact that the mother of Jesus had cast a radiant smile on these witnesses to the wonder of her Son.
He goes on to spell out the meaning and consequences for us of God’s smiling through Jesus. He says that every Christian has the task “of bringing the divine, life-giving smile to birth, especially on the faces of those who are despised or unnoticed.”
This is an entirely appropriate follow through to the metaphor of God’s smile on humanity. Smiling at another person has been called “the essence of life”; which radiates beauty, and is a precious ornament God has given us, a ray of sunshine that brightens the day for those who receive it.
Human experience confirms these beautiful descriptions of the totally human, instinctive action of the smile and the effect it has in all relationships.* By way of contrast which proves the point, in the same essay Radcliffe he wrote of a child, orphaned by war, who had never smiled because no one had ever smiled at him – until one day he did break out in a smile having received many of them from his adoptive parents.
Smiling at the beauty of God’s creation and eliciting smiles of joy in others can serve as doable New Year’s resolutions.
*In this regard it has to be noted that all smiles are not affirming or uplifting. Women in particular have often been expected to smile to contort to societal expectations or have been harassed into smiling.
Joe Nangle OFM is a Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace and the 2023 Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace. As a member of the Assisi Community in Washington, D.C., he is dedicated to simple living and social change. Joe also serves as the Pastoral Associate for the Latino community at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Arlington, Virginia.
A smile that comes from the heart is medicine to the spirit. 🌹🙏
Re: epiphanies. In pondering a “word” invited for the year, I’m now noticing “recognize”. See it. Know it. Receive it. —
these manifestations all around us.
They will cause that smile from within, I’m guessing. Happy New Year.
There is nothing so beautiful than the spontaneous smile of a baby. We can’t help but smile joyfully in return. Remember, “Unless you become a little children…..”