TO THE EDITOR:
I was recently made aware that Wednesday the 6th was Epiphany: the day that Christians around the world celebrate Jesus’ baptism by John. This year, Jesus’ name was flown on a flag over the heads of “patriots” as they stormed Capitol Hill. On the same day, there was Jesus, doing the unthinkable in Jewish society by yielding his authority to John. And then there was Christian, representing his Christ as he leaned back and propped his feet on a desk, spitting on those he believes to be persecuting him. And for some reason, for many across this nation, these two examples of Christ are not in conflict with one another. “Didn’t Jesus turn tables?”. For desecrating the Temple, yes. But unless we believe that the Capitol is our Temple, then Christian did not follow Christ as he smashed the windows, demanding for his rights.
What happened on Wednesday is not an anomaly. It is the cumulation of years of White Christians believing that this nation is “One Nation Under God” and because someone ages ago said it, we believe it and that settles it. Because countless veterans from our States have sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom, justice and equality, we believe that we have been divinely endowed as a nation to be great. We have been indoctrinated into thinking that we are the sole possessors of truth and righteousness and turn away from those we have been called to love. Wednesday the 6th. A day of epiphany, indeed. The day God asked many White Christians in America “whom do you serve?” and the day Christian responded with a loud voice and unwavering pride, “AMERICA”.
And so, because many of their American brothers and sisters have forgotten who they serve, Christians around the world weep. God is Love. God is not America.
Brody Hed
Becker, MN