by Fletcher Lowe
A man holds a wooden cross after retrieving it from the Bosphorus river’s Golden Horn, as part of celebrations of the Epiphany day at the Church of Fener Orthodox Patriarchiate in Istanbul, on Jan. 6, 2015. The Orthodox faith uses the old Julian calendar in which Christmas falls 13 days after its more widespread Gregorian calendar counterpart on Dec. 25. AFP PHOTO / BULENT KILIC
January 6 was the Feast of the Epiphany. Sunday, January 10 we marked the Baptism of Jesus. What do they have to do with the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol that took place on Epiphany? Everything!!
The Magi were seeking their true king and they found him in Jesus. It is a reminder that our true king is not a sports figure or an actor or a political figure, even a President. We as Christians are subject to Christ the King – the name that is above all names. He is the filter through which we view all others who would be our “kings.”. The only personality cult that any Christian belongs to is the personality of Jesus. All others are idolatry.
And the Baptism of our Lord reminds us of our own baptism, wherein we vowed to “proclaim by word and example the good news of Christ,” “to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves,” “to strive for peace and justice among all people and respect the dignity of every human being.” Those are our marching orders as the Baptized, as important now as ever amidst the dangers that currently prevail in our national life.
So, let’s remember who our true king is and, as his followers, be mindful of living into the vows of the Baptismal Covenant as Christians and as citizens.
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