Epiphany – the Feast of Radical Inclusion

Diversity and Inclusiveness seem to be the virtuous twins of current culture.

But I’d suggest that this is the worst form of sloppy thinking. Akin to eating the cake and having it too.

The goal of Inclusion is Unity, not Diversity.

(For those who want to posit “Unity-in-Diversity” I’d recommend a study of the Balkans under Marshall Tito and after. That was Unity-in-Diversity, also spelled Vendetta-in-Waiting.)

On the Feast of the Epiphany we celebrate the manifestation of the Christ to the Gentiles.

Now that is Inclusion!

The Magi, Wise-Men, Kings - These uncircumcised, pork-eating, star-gazers, are drawn across half the known world to the Light that has come into the world.

And having done so, do they demand that we honor their diversity by incorporating Astrology into the worship of YHWH?

No, they bow. Acknowledging what they have been seeking all their lives.  The Truth.

Galatians 3:27-28 (NRSV)
²⁷ As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
²⁸ There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

To be included, is to leave diversity behind.

Why cast horoscopes when the Word of God lies before you?

Why quibble about honoring our differences when Jesus has made us One.