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January 8
Apollinarius Claudius, A.J. Muste, and Andraé Crouch
David Barnhart
January 08, 2026
2006. Own photo.
Today is the Feast Day of Saint Apollinaris Claudius, a bishop in the second century. He wrote a defense of Christianity to the stoic emperor, Marcus Aurelius, and convinced him to lessen his persecution of Christians.
Today is the birthday of A.J. Muste, in 1885, who was a pastor and labor and peace activist. During the 1920’s when police and union-busters were advocating violence, Muste advocated non-violence. During the Vietnam War, he stood every night outside the White House, holding a candle.
Today marks the death, in 2015, of Andraé Crouch, gospel musician and pastor, the “father of modern gospel music,” whose songs included “My Tribute (To God be the Glory)”, “Through It All,” and “Soon and Very Soon.”
Reflection:
A.J. Muste wrote:
“We cannot have peace if we are only concerned with peace. War is not an accident. It is the logical outcome of a certain way of life. If we want to attack war, we have to attack that way of life.”
Here is an apocryphal story about his public witness:
“Once a reporter asked him, "Do you really think you are going to change the policies of this country by standing out here alone at night in front of the White House with a candle?" A.J. Muste replied softly: "Oh I don't do this to change the country. I do this so the country won't change me.”
From Andraé Crouch’s “My Tribute (To God Be the Glory)”:
How can I say thanks
For the things You have done for me?
Things so undeserved,
Yet You gave to prove Your love for me;
The voices of a million angels
Could not express my gratitude.
All that I am and ever hope to be,
I owe it all to Thee.
To God be the glory,
To God be the glory,
To God be the glory
For the things He has done.
Prayer: God, shape us according to your values, and give us the lovingkindness to not let the world’s hatred change us. Amen.