It was supposed to be the feast of Epiphany which is the day we remember the magi and their gifts to the Christ child. Back in biblical times, the scene turned ugly quite quickly. An insecure leader, afraid of the successor to the throne, sanctioned the death of a child and any who was that age. The magi, sometimes called, wisemen, avoided King Herod by going on by another road.
January 6, 2021 turned ugly, too; the entire world was in shock as we witnessed an insurrection. It was not a protest. Please, stop calling it a protest and give it the recognition it deserves. An insurrection is a violent uprising against an authority or government. That’s what it was and our insecure POTUS had his hand in it.
Ten years ago this month, up in the International Space Station, Scott Kelly, the commanding officer, spoke over the radio as flight controllers in Houston fell silent. His sister-in-law, representative Gabby Giffords, among others, had just been shot.
“As I look out the window, I see a very beautiful planet that seems very inviting and peaceful. Unfortunately, it is not. These days, we are constantly reminded of the unspeakable acts of violence and damage we can inflict upon one another, not just with our actions, but also with our irresponsible words. We’re better than this. We must do better.”
Regarding the insurrection: we’re better than this. “We need leaders not in love with money but in love with justice. Not in love with publicity but in love with humanity,” MLK, Jr. advised us over half a century ago.
I will let the political experts determine the necessary political action steps to take.
I do join the National Council on Churches, The UCC, and The Southwest Conference of the UCC in demanding the removal of the POTUS from office. Some people ask: Why would you impeach and convict a president or invoke the 25th Amendment when he only has days left in office? The answer is clear: precedent. It must be abundantly clear that no president, now, or in the future, can incite a riot and lead an insurrection against the U.S. government. I want every present and future civics student to ask, “Why was Mike Pence POTUS for just a couple of days?” because I want them to hear the answer: White fascism is wrong – no matter who does it. Period.
We must be wise people and demonstrate to our children and grandchildren that we are better than this! Like the magi, we need to go another road.
Shalom, Paul
We’re Better Than This. We Must Do Better.
