CAPA Corner: King Cake

    Recently I found myself in a conversation with an Australian, Mexican, and Texan discussing “King Cakes.”  One in the group had just tasted his first King Cake and thought the name was humorous.  Being from Louisiana, I was happy to share the traditions associated with this delicacy.  
    After hearing more about the tradition, one laughed with surprise and remarked, “Another thing we got from Christians.” Unfortunately, our conversation was interrupted.  I wanted to ask the man to list other things which he believed the world received from Christians.  Was he adding King Cakes to a list which included Christmas trees, cookies, and parties?  Was he thinking of Easter eggs and the Easter bunny?
    His simple remark continues to bother me.  What have Christians given to the world?  I hope it is more than King Cakes.  This question pertaining to Christians is quite different than the significant question about what Christ has given to the world—a question long debated by theologians and theme for many a sermon by preachers.   
    It is a different question to consider what Christians give to a community. Again, hopefully it is more than King Cakes during the season of Epiphany. 
    Perhaps, just perhaps, this man was considering Christians who he had met whose lives had been transformed by Christ.  Perhaps he was thinking of Christians who live a life overflowing with love, hope, and joy—those who bless others by their gracious spirits, genuine hospitality, and bountiful acts of kindness.  
    As the Epiphany season comes to a close, let us enjoy our King Cakes, but let us also pray that Christians will be remembered for more than creating a delicacy such as King Cakes! And may all Christians be inspired to live in such a way to be a blessing to those around them. 
Rev. Robin McCullough-Bade
St. Augustine Episcopal Church