There was a season some years ago when the ministerial alliance of which I was a member worked with the local VFW to create an essay contest for middle school students. We believed that, beyond partisan political rhetoric, there was a need for reasoned rational discourse in our community and country. Civility matters in our society. In those days in that community, Rush Limbaugh was the media personality whose voice that many heard as virtuous and true. I recall one evening at choir practice when the basses and the tenors started arguing about the merits of Mr. Limbaugh's commentary. My contribution to the conversation, "He's saying everything my mom taught me not to say and to be," got the guys to thinking. Their moms had taught them similar lessons.
Those days seem tame to me compared to these days. I should not be shocked that the biggest ego provokes followers with vitriolic rhetoric, calling others disparaging names and building barriers between peoples. I should not be shocked that xenophobia and racism are still alive in our nation. I should not be shocked that fear seems to defeat love today. I should not be shocked, but I am.
The Jesus who summons me to follow is not one who divides with words of fear and hate. He is not boastful or arrogant or rude. Among his words are these: "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy." "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." (Matthew 5:7-9, NRSV). I find in Jesus an alternative to the path many are walking today. I find in Jesus an antidote to the spirit of maliciousness and meanness that permeates American politics in this troubled moment in our history. I find in him a model of courage and civility worthy of emulating today.
God, who knows every heart and mind, whose speaking is creative and loving, steady my hope, strengthen my resolve to follow wherever you lead me to go. Grant us all courage and compassion to bind up the wounds of our neighbors and to be kind, gracious, and generous to all. Give us, O God, the mind of Christ now and always. Amen.
Those days seem tame to me compared to these days. I should not be shocked that the biggest ego provokes followers with vitriolic rhetoric, calling others disparaging names and building barriers between peoples. I should not be shocked that xenophobia and racism are still alive in our nation. I should not be shocked that fear seems to defeat love today. I should not be shocked, but I am.
The Jesus who summons me to follow is not one who divides with words of fear and hate. He is not boastful or arrogant or rude. Among his words are these: "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy." "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." (Matthew 5:7-9, NRSV). I find in Jesus an alternative to the path many are walking today. I find in Jesus an antidote to the spirit of maliciousness and meanness that permeates American politics in this troubled moment in our history. I find in him a model of courage and civility worthy of emulating today.
God, who knows every heart and mind, whose speaking is creative and loving, steady my hope, strengthen my resolve to follow wherever you lead me to go. Grant us all courage and compassion to bind up the wounds of our neighbors and to be kind, gracious, and generous to all. Give us, O God, the mind of Christ now and always. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment