Epiphany is the season of glory. Epiphany is the time when we proclaim and celebrate the manifestation of the divine presence and power in and to the world which God has created and redeemed. But often when I hear such words, and honestly look at my life and world, I shout, "My God, where is the glory?" Only rarely do I experience the brilliantly burning light of divine glory that illumines a life and a world of wholeness and peace.

The basic reality of our world is darkness and defeat. The darkness of millions of people starving to death in a world where enough food is produced to feed everyone. The defeat of nation warring against nation. The darkness of thousands of refugees forced from their homes and lands to live on the raw brink of extinction. The defeat of unemployment, loss of ho…