I'm not sure what he means, does any one has a opinion on this?

Question

I wrote to my Mom and Step-Father:
> I had an “epiphany”. I thought, would it be possible
> for us all to be on Yahoo Instant Messaging. We
> could
> have better contact. It is so important for
> me
> to keep in touch. As many of you know we lost a
> very good friend that commit suicide. We realize,
> life
> is so precious and we need to be there for each
> other in difficult times.

My Step-Father wrote:
We are surprised that you are getting epiphanies, like Mozes, Jesaja and Joseph. You must be special. Just kidding of course. It is sad and embarrasing to learn that a near and dear friend committed suicide.

Question1. Diference of the word epiphany?
Question2. What is the story of Mozes has to do with what I wrote?
Question3. Why is committing suicide embarrasing and for who?

Answer 1

First off, I'm dearly sorry about your friend... I sort of know your pain because someone I'm close to had a best friend commit suicide, and another close friend of mine nearly did one time as well.

I didn't fully understand the point of all of you talking on yahoo messenger.... are you all separated for some reason???

Q1: I don't know what you meant by "difference of the word epiphany," but from my view an epiphany is when you have a huge realization of something, and change your ways because of the realization.

Q2: If your stepfather was referring to the story of Moses leading the people out of Egypt, then it has no relation from what I can tell... perhaps he may have been referring to the time when God talked to Moses through the burning bush... when Moses realized what he had to do: lead the people out of Egypt to the promised land.

Q3: Committing suicide is awful and extraordinarily sad. Perhaps it may be embarrassing to his/her parents, because they may feel failed as parents as though it was their fault. It's just an opinion perhaps, but I don't really see suicide as embarrassing.

I hope I answered your questions... email me anytime if you need.

Answer 2

Question 1. : You've to state the difference between the word "epiphany" and another word... otherwise can't help you but able to tell you the DEFINITION of the word. It's when you have a light bulb moment that turns on in your head/ a sudden burst of inspiration hence you wanting to "connect" with your family via Y!Msgr or some divine intervention.

Question 2. : The story of Moses was that he had an "epiphany" while herding a flock of sheep & chance upon the now infamous "burning bush." God's voice spoke to Moses to free the Jews from Egypt. Though note that your step-dad remarked, "just kidding" so it was all in good fun.

Question 3. : I don't believe that death is embarrasing rather like you mentioned it's more to do with being selfish & that's a harsh reality for their loved ones to take in. Life is indeed precious.

Answer 3

He might mean that the visions/appearnces of God for the disciples. They had "visions" sometimes mistaken as epiphany. He never really mentioned the story of Moses, he merely referenced him and a few others. He was just joking with you that you were put up on pedestal for a moment and compared with these extremely important people in biblical history. The embarrassing part sounded to me that he was embarrassed that he didn't know about it. A suicide is very unnerving for a lot of people. I know this first hand, my father committed suicide 20 years ago. People don't know how to respond to the situation. They don't know what to say. I found the most appropriate thing was "If there is anything you need just let me know" or "just wanted to let you know I'm here if you need anything". Sorry to hear about your friend. I truly know what it's like to have someone ripped from your life.

Answer 4

1. the word epiphany means a revelation, an outrageous idea, a wonderful thought...when you get an epiphany...its like the lightbulb turning on, and you say"omigosh, i have the greatest idea" apparently your father assumed you were getting "premonitions" and those are way diffrent. a premonition is considered seeing the future..like walking down the street and all of a sudden you see a movie playing in your head of something about to happen....premonitions havent been proved though, they would be considered physic powers or something.

2. in the bible, Jesus talks about the future (today's world) and people claiming to be prophets...modern day pshchics (sp?)...he was just kidding about you haveing the gift of God...only specially appointed people could truely tell the future. Moses was one of those people. he was appointed by God and was considered a very wise and obdeiant man.

3. Knowing someone who has commited suicide can be embarrassing. not for you personally, but some people believe that if you commit suicide, and take your own life that isnt really yours to take, but God life and he will chose it for you, people believe that you automatically go to hell. I had a friend who did the same and i was embarrased for the family, because doing something like that can cause people to think "man, what were they doing wrong" or maybe you just felt pity for the family...nothing on earth is worth committing suicide, life sucking on earth beats an eternity in hell. get it?

Answer 5

1. A sudden intuitive realization. You can also find the meaning in Dictionary.com
2. The story of Mozes, because it took something drastic for Mozes to realize that he had to obey (follow) God's instuctions.
3. Committing suide is a sin according to the Bible. I'm guessing that if you have Christ and shared His gift of salvation with your friend then you don't have anything to worry about. It is sad. I'm sorry for your loss.

Life is short. It is important to enjoy it. Enjoy your family and each moment with them. Try not to get offended by what others say because only you can ruin a positive attitude. If you think you miss understood something he said, ask him. Sometimes we all say things in the spur of the moment that we don't realize how it might have affected others. Be quick to forgive if another person offends you. I hope this is helpful.

Answer 6

It sounds as though he was almost being sarcastic-as if to say YOU suddenly now know the meaning of life. see definition given
it also refers to devine being. As far as 'embarasssing'?? That is not a word I would even think of in connection with a suicide. Depression, loss greiving - yes - embarassment?? no
e·piph·a·ny (-pf-n)
n. pl. e·piph·a·nies
1. Epiphany
a. A Christian feast celebrating the manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi.
b. January 6, on which this feast is traditionally observed.
2. A revelatory manifestation of a divine being.
3.
a. A sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something.
b. A comprehension or perception of reality by means of a sudden intuitive realization:

Answer 7

your stepfather is skirting a deep emotional issue and is instead trying to get close through conversation that requires thought rather than feeling. let's indulge him, shall we?

epiphany- either a moment of revelation or Jan.6, the date celebrated for the Magi's visit to Christ, at His birth.
(he spelled Moses wrong by the way)

The Moses thing probably refers to his relationship with God, and how he regularly received revelations from God, and spoke to Him like a friend.

I don't know why embarrassment would be the first thing your stepfather would think of, but I think it's the shame that a person's mother, close relatives or friends feel, when the person kills themself, and no one prevented it, each feels their own guilt, when the only responsibility for this unfortunate event was the person who killed themself.

Why is he asking stupid intellectual questions during your time of grief? Maybe he could answer that one. My condolences for your loss, and best wishes for the future.

Answer 8

I don't know the answers to the first two , but I don't think suicide is embarrassing . Sad yes that you lost a loved one or because someone was just so stressed that they couldn't take it , but definitely not embarrassing.

Answer 9

epiphany also means:
AN APPERANCE OR MANIFESTATION OF GOD OR SUPERNATURAL BEING

that would explain moses, and when he could talk to god, and sucicide can be embarresing for some but i do not have that answer, and it can be sad for others (losing anybody is sad), and i am really sorry, i hope that you and your family, are doing okay. god bless you

Answer 10

1 ask him.
2 he doesn't know what you said.
3 he's an idiot for not trying to figure it out