For the Baptism of Jesus, Rev. Cari holds the events of January 6 at the US Capitol, Genesis 1:1-5 and Mark 1:4-11, and asks the questions, “How do we begin to move in the same direction together?” and “How do people change their minds and hearts?”

Beyond characterizations of the “dark” as a fearful place, Rev. Cari takes a look at the moment depicted in these first few verses of Genesis 1, and notes that the darkness is a time of fertile creativeness, when God’s Spirit is preparing what will come. She then notes the same themes present in the account of Jesus’ baptism, and invites those listening to learn to “dance in the dark.”

This sermon is an explicit invitation to white Canadians to make a beginning at the inner work of becoming anti-racist. Rev. Cari is grateful to Dr. Cornel West, Sandy Hudson (founder of BLM Toronto), Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III (pastor of Trinity Church in Chicago) and Amanda Bartley (Toronto activist) for their writing or speaking that has contributed to this sermon today.

Later, Rev. Cari was made aware of the following statement by Rev. Dr. Moss, made during the worship service of Trinity Church on January 10, 2021. Please check this link if you would like to hear Dr. Moss reflecting on the storming of the Capitol himself.