Church of the
Annunciation

Americans are ambivalent about kings. We are a nation founded in rebellion against King George III. Yet today, removed from British rule, we look benignly on Prince George, a future king, the baby son of William and Kate, who was baptized in October. St. Paul, in our 2^nd reading, expresses our faith that in baptism, God delivers us from the power of darkness and transfers us to the kingdom of his beloved son, Jesus Christ. The kingship of Jesus was misunderstood. Pontius Pilate asks Jesus if he is a king. Jesus responds that his kingdom does not belong to this world. It is a kingdom of truth, of compassion, and of peace. Our entry into the kingdom, in part, is determined by our listening to the voice of Jesus who came into the world to witness to the truth. We honor the great king by kindness to the least of his subjects. We come to peace by the blood of the cross. Ultimately greatness is not a matter of wielding power but in humble service. 50 years ago John F. Kennedy never gave his speech in Dallas. These are the words written but not delivered. “We ask, therefore, that we may be worthy of our power and responsibility; that we may exercise our strength with wisdom and restraint; and that we may achieve in our time and for all time the ancient vision of ‘peace and on earth, good will toward men.’ That must always be our goal and the righteousness of our cause must always underlie our strength. For as was written long ago: ‘Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.’”