On Wednesday morning, January 6, 2021, I celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany with Morning Prayer on Facebook Live. That afternoon, the U.S. House and Senate convened a joint session to certify the election of Joseph R. Biden and Kamala Harris as the next President and Vice-President of the United States.
During Morning Prayer, at the time for intercessions, I prayed for peace during the certification process. Because I had three Zoom calls on Wednesday morning and afternoon, I was not able to keep an eye on the news. I briefly turned on the news at noon and commentators were reporting on President Trump’s rally that was held prior to the joint session. I did not hear at the time his call to his supporters to walk to the capital. Later that afternoon I began hearing the news about what happened soon after the Senate and House began their deliberations. By late afternoon all hell had let loose as Trump supporters forced their way into the Senates and House chambers. These insurrectionists and domestic terrorists attempted to overthrow the government. They were incited and cheered on by the President of the United States.
I felt sick to my stomach. What happened yesterday reminded me of the events of September 11, 2001 when New York and Washington, DC were under attack by foreign terrorists. Twenty years ago, there was a great deal of fear as to more attacks. Today I wonder what will happen when Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris take their respective oaths on Wednesday, January 20. It is a sad day for America.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to witness to the light of Christ that is in us and our neighbor and that darkness will not overcome that light. This is where I find hope on this sad day. In his weekly message yesterday, Bishop Brown offered these prayers for the Episcopal Church in Delaware:
“For the Nation: Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, Page 258)
“For Guidance: O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light riseth up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what thou wouldest have us to do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in thy light we may see light, and in thy straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, Page 832)”
Peace,
Father David+, OA
