Dear Saints,

This coming Monday is Presidents Day, a federal holiday that began in 1879 as a tribute to George Washington's birthday and eventually broadened into a celebration of all U.S. presidents. It’s good that our nation would remember and honor both the leaders who have shaped its history and the democratic process responsible for their leadership.

That said, we as Christians understand that no person, party, or political (or entertainment) platform is supreme. Our deepest allegiance is to Jesus. When he remains our center, patriotism is purified rather than perverted: we are motivated to be united with one another as his one body. We seek to transcend all earthly distractions and divisions with charity and peace.

Since her founding, America has witnessed and withstood significant differences of ideas and ideals. At times it has seemed fragile; at times it has been fragile. But as St. Paul reminds us, everything - whether life, or death, or the present or the future - everything belongs to Jesus. That includes the current President, the forty-four men before him, and all those who will come after. Tomorrow and always, we would do well to commend our country and its leaders to his kingdom.

Christ’s Peace,

Father Daniel

δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ