EPIPHANY: "For Our Common Good"

NOTE: I'll be hosting a very simple Epiphany Communion, online this evening at 7 Eastern.  Given all that's happening this afternboon, this simple half-hour will include our deeply felt prayers for justice, for democratic practice and for peace among all our sisters and brothers.  In DC, in NH, in Boston, in every American community, every American heart, every American home.  Every one of them.  We will not allow authoritarianism and hate to destroy us.

Here's the link for tonight's communion! 

Epiphany/Afternoon
January 6, 2021

Friends in faith and community,

I hope you'll join me in praying this afternoon, for our country, for our democratic traditions and institutions, and for our fellow citizens and neighbors.  I'm watching, as I'm sure you are, as

Pro-Trump protesters are gather at the U.S. Capitol and surge into the Capitol itself.  Given the signage and the political alliances involved, it's not a stretch to imagine a huge number of armed and angry people in a dangerous setting.  As the Senate acts to validate November's election, the possibility for violence is real.  

As Christians celebrate Epiphany today, our prayers turn to the ways of peace championed by the Prince of Peace.  Join me in praying for a spirit of respect in the nation's capitol and elsewhere, and let's commit our energies, again, to the perfection of a union that honors our diversity and seeks the common good through democratic participation and legislative action.

Holy God of every people, Great Spirit of all nations and lands:

We pray with deep concern today for who gather at the nation's capitol this afternoon: for those motivated by anger and distrust, for public safety officers dedicated to their wellbeing, and for legislators doing their duty within the halls of the people's power.  Be with all those gathered in protest, inspire in them restraint and decency, and turn the hearts of your people to reconciliation and pursuit of justice and peace.  Dwell freely and abundantly in the hearts of those committed to safety and calm.  And protect our democratic intentions: to collaborate and debate and choose leadership and priorities without violence and hatred.

We acknoweldge, O God, indeed we confess, that we have lost our way.  Our institutions are beholden to the very rich, and our democratic process has been distorted by greed, racism and xenophobia.  This has created the deepest kind of dissatisfaction and rage, rage easily engaged and manipulated by authoritarian leaders and parties.  Instead of reconciling around shared vision and national goals, instead of doing justice and seeking mercy, we have settled for cruelty as public policy and distrust as spirituality.  We confess, O God, that we have not loved you or one another with our whole hearts,  

Raise up prophets and leaders, from all walks of life, who see the face of mercy and pursue a broad and united vision of shared prosperity.  Raise them up from communities of color.  Raise them up from the heartland and food-growing lands of our country.  Raise them up within marginalized communities, and within generations of young adults and elders.  Raise up prophets and leaders who see behond the horizons of despair and contempt, and clear a path for compassion, creativity and courage on this continent.

Holy God, One in Spirit, restrain the egotism and narcissism of those who stir the rage of protestors and the many who fear change and suffer for their hatred.  Move, by your great wisdom, to silence any leader who incites violence.  Move, by your holy spirit, to animate the simple lovers of peace and justice as they stand for hope and renewal among us all.

In devotion to the One whose light shines in human vulnerability, in devotion to the One who is baptized in You for service not vengeance, we pray as the people of God and the church of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

DGJ 1/6/21