Dear Colleagues and Friends,

“What is truth?” responded a weary Pontius Pilate to the amazing Prisoner before him. The Prisoner was, of course, the One who was to bear the burden of the world’s dystopia on His own shoulders - the world’s choice to uphold all sorts of narratives that darkened and obscured the truth in every conceivable way. 

The Prisoner had just declared His “interest” before Pilate - like an honest modern politician declaring his assets before a General Election official. His investments and His interests were those of truth, He said, come what may. He stood before His accusers now with no other investment except the only thing that really mattered, to Him immediately, and ultimately to the world that was about to cast Him forth. His accuser had thought to demean Him for whatever “kingdom”, whatever rulership in the world  He might claim to possess - and after all, was He not what those foreign visitors were believed to have said about Him three decades beforehand, the “king of the Jews”? Now there’s a laugh, would have thought Pontius Pilate. 

But the Prisoner had declared, “My Kingdom is the Kingdom of Truth”, and the nascent chuckle was quenched before breath was drawn. The interrogator was confused, and with majesty the wounded King went forth to claim His Kingdom.

The Collect for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany is

Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth thy right hand to help and defend us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For it is by means of the Truth that we will be looked upon, helped and defended by our almighty and everlasting God in the midst of “our infirmities”, “through Jesus Christ our Lord”; rather than by means of the dystopic narratives of a world that tempts us to its innumerable false trusts. Let us look to Him, as we ask for His attention, rather than to distractions.

For directions about the services this Sunday the 23rd January 2022, the 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany, please see the website www.TruthWithLanguage.com .

In faith in the holy Name of our Lord Jesus, who will continue to provide guidance by the Holy Spirit to all His people.

+ Nicholas