Revealing Revelation

St Paul is responsible for the majority of the content of the New Testament. His ministry begins when Our Lord reveals Himself to him in a bright light which blinds him.

How do we know it was Our Lord? If it wasn't, then huge parts of our Faith could be in doubt. Can we be sure that the revelation to St Paul is true?

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This will always be a matter of faith for us in the same way that scientists have to have faith that their methods work in making their discoveries.

However, the Epiphany of Our Lord gives us opportunity to reflect on the fact that God doesn't just exist but actively wants to be known by everyone. What we Christians have been given is a record of how God reveals Himself to His people.

And look what happens.

Without fail, each of the principal witnesses to God's revelation is transformed. Enemies of Christianity become its greatest defenders overnight. Ill-educated fishermen become eloquent in their testimony. People become willing to die for this testimony.

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These days, people seem to demand proof which is stricter than can be given. Some have dismissed the Gospels and in doing so have dismissed eyewitness testimony that would be considered convincing in a court of law. What they want is almost a mathematical proof - an absolute proof - before they will be convinced. That's their problem.

But what if we doubt in God's revelation?

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The first thing we do is ask God.

St Paul tells us that God's word "is now revealed unto his holy Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit". We believe that the Holy Ghost speaks through the prophets.

Then we remember that the saints form a cloud of witnesses to the Truth. We remember that even pagan writers speak of Jesus as a real human being. And we remember that Christians have always been prepared to die for their testimony.

In the balance of probability, we are unlikely to see a star in the East. We are unlikely to hear the voice from Heaven or see the Holy Ghost descend like a dove. We will probably not taste the water turned into wine. But we can still receive God's revelation.

How will we know it's Him?

Because He will not contradict Himself. 

What He says will be what the Church has already received over the age of ages. The Montanists will say that God gives us a new revelation every day, but this revelation is false because it contradicts the testimony of the Church which God has already given.

This is why Christians must read Holy Scripture and must listen to the Church Fathers. That way, we can all learn to hear God's voice and recognise Him when He speaks to us.

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The word Epiphany means a revelation that descends upon us. It is God-given and not man made.

All we need is the patience to wait and to listen. God will give us this as well if we let Him.