Pastor’s Message – January 11, 2022

Learning From Epiphanies Past

(This is an excerpt from the latest weekly musing on my website. To read the whole reflection, visit www.darianduckworth.com/musings)

Last Thursday was the Feast of the Epiphany, when we recall not only the Magi’s visit to King Jesus but also that they had to return home from the Light a different way because of the darkness raging in Herod. That first Epiphany was not so different from two Epiphanies of recent history.

Last year, on January 6, 2021, as chaos unfolded at the U.S. Capitol, I remember sitting in the sanctuary and wondering how such awful events could happen on a day so fraught with beauty and light in the life of the Church. I was angry, hurt, and confused, as I’m sure many of you were, too. There was so much I wanted to say and to do, but instead I simply went home—only to remember another Epiphany of recent past.

Every year on the Epiphany, I have watched the movie, Spotlight, since its release. The reason I do this is because it was on January 6, 2002, that the Spotlight team at The Boston Globe published their in-depth investigation of abuse in the Catholic church. The film tells the story of the small team of journalists who brought this dark story to the light.

I watch Spotlight every year because I never want to forget some of the worst things that happened in the Church, but I also don’t want to forget we are capable of participating in God’s best work of healing, grace, and justice. One spotlight may not cast out all darkness, but it makes a difference.

This year, may we as a Church choose what is right and good and full of light. Let us continue to reject the powers of evil and oppression in all the forms they present themselves. Let us live as a people of Epiphany.

all good things to each of you,
Dr. Darian

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