Today is Epiphany. The celebration of Christ’s revelation to the world.
In Epiphany we specifically remember the coming of the Magi to Bethlehem, the sign that the rules had changed. Before there was a specific path to God, with the coming of Christ any who seek Him can find Him. Gentiles can now be the people of God. Christ is for all. Pentecost puts the seal on it, the coming of the Holy Spirit, the reversal of the Tower of Babel. Division is ended, all are made one in Christ.
It is also the anniversary of the Capitol Insurrection. An event that is symptomatic of the growing divides in our culture and the threat it holds to our democracy.
I find that I am processing both of these things at once and nothing I say is going to come out exactly right.
So instead I will offer this prayer:
Heavenly Father, who gave us Christ as a gift that we might be one with you and one with each other, who sealed this gift with the Holy Spirit so that there might be no division in the Body of Christ, hear us we pray. Create in us a desire for truth without error, peace without persecution, and unity without bias. Let us be the peacemakers you have called us to be. Let us be the salt and light of the world, not so that we can be seen, but so that your self revelation can continue in this world for the good of all that live. Amen