neither the eminent collapse of the republic as some suggest, nor the beginning of a wild new era of prosperity as other have postured, there is much that concerns me - especially the fear and frustration that is all around us. Some of that fear has been exploited - this is nothing new in politics - but given our current context of vast unemployment - and the sense that our nation is in a downward spiral - it would be prudent to recall that toying with economic fear for political gain can quickly spin out of control.
Christians do not create policy or politics based upon fear. St. John, mirroring the message of the angels to Mary and the shepherds and the testimony of Jesus to his disciples, says: Fear not! There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. (I John 4:18 in The Message.) One question that begs asking ourselves as well as our newly elected officials - especially those who sometimes seem to exploit both fear and their own religiosity - is what place fear plays in the new politics and policies? This is one place progressive people of faith might build common ground with evangelicals and Roman Catholics, yes?
Anoth
er question that concerns me has to do with authentic bipartisan governance: with the changes in the House of Representative and Senate it is clear that both Republicans and Democrats are going to have to get serious about finding common ground. This, too, is a place where people of faith have something to teach the body politic. St. Paul made it clear that in Christ we are no longer "Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female" (and as you have heard me expand, that means we are also neither "gay nor straight, Republican nor Democrat, rich or poor" if we are serious about our faith.) It would appear that Americans are sick of politicians talking about cooperation but never delivering - and this applies to all branches of government and both political parties. As Brother Roger of the Taize movement used to say: the church has been called into being by God to be a parable of hope in the world. Now would be a great time for us to hold our elected officials feet to the fire about discovering genuine common ground.
And third, an issue that no one spoke of during the election but continues to be the elephant in the living room, what about peace making? Nic
holas Kristoff in the NY Times has recently written about how everyone in Afghanistan agrees that the cost per US solider does nothing to advance the cause of peace, hope, women's education or the social well being of that society. On the other hand, Greg Mortenson's school building - along with those schools built by the Red Cross - are not only bringing hope and healing to that world, but dollar for dollar get better results than all the money poured into supporting the war. Isn't it time - in light of the budget deficits to say nothing of Christ's mandate - to start holding our elected officials accountable for using tax dollars in ways that advance our values? How did Jesus put it in the Sermon on the Mount: Blessed are the peace makers... you will be blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family. (Matthew 5: 9)
I don't pretend to understand politics - and I know there are no rules in the rough and tumble world of getting elected - and that is fine: I do know, however, that Christ calls me to pay attention to those who are hungry and thirsty and naked and alone because THAT is where I will find him. These three areas seem to me to be places where our public witness could - and should - impact public policy. What do you think?
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Anoth
er question that concerns me has to do with authentic bipartisan governance: with the changes in the House of Representative and Senate it is clear that both Republicans and Democrats are going to have to get serious about finding common ground. This, too, is a place where people of faith have something to teach the body politic. St. Paul made it clear that in Christ we are no longer "Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female" (and as you have heard me expand, that means we are also neither "gay nor straight, Republican nor Democrat, rich or poor" if we are serious about our faith.) It would appear that Americans are sick of politicians talking about cooperation but never delivering - and this applies to all branches of government and both political parties. As Brother Roger of the Taize movement used to say: the church has been called into being by God to be a parable of hope in the world. Now would be a great time for us to hold our elected officials feet to the fire about discovering genuine common ground.
And third, an issue that no one spoke of during the election but continues to be the elephant in the living room, what about peace making? Nic
holas Kristoff in the NY Times has recently written about how everyone in Afghanistan agrees that the cost per US solider does nothing to advance the cause of peace, hope, women's education or the social well being of that society. On the other hand, Greg Mortenson's school building - along with those schools built by the Red Cross - are not only bringing hope and healing to that world, but dollar for dollar get better results than all the money poured into supporting the war. Isn't it time - in light of the budget deficits to say nothing of Christ's mandate - to start holding our elected officials accountable for using tax dollars in ways that advance our values? How did Jesus put it in the Sermon on the Mount: Blessed are the peace makers... you will be blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family. (Matthew 5: 9)
I don't pretend to understand politics - and I know there are no rules in the rough and tumble world of getting elected - and that is fine: I do know, however, that Christ calls me to pay attention to those who are hungry and thirsty and naked and alone because THAT is where I will find him. These three areas seem to me to be places where our public witness could - and should - impact public policy. What do you think?
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(note: Di and I head out tomorrow for a few days away in Keene, NH to take in the beauty of late autumn, get some rest before the holiday celebrations and just enjoy one another's company in love.)
2 comments:
I am reminded of Henry David Thoreau's retelling of an ancient tale in Walden, in which a kingdom discovers that while there is enough food for everyone, something has contaminated the grain supply. Anyone eating the tainted grain will go insane. The king, realizing that the alternative is death, orders that a small group of people avoid the tainted grain, and eat from the small cache of untainted grain.
"We will need someone to be here to remind us that we are insane," the king says. With humility, Christians and other religious could fulfill that task for us all now.
Enjoy abundantly, your time away!
The humility part is essential and the role critical. We'll have a blast. Hope you are well, my man.
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