It has been a wild week since the inauguration services for Pres. Trump, and I have been both disgust and amazed at the responses to Bishop Budde’s prayer/plea asking the president to be merciful to the many groups of people who are living in fear of his agenda. Many of us have been voicing this for years, and not just before this election, but her passionate and compassionate words in front of the entire world was an act of prophetic wisdom, faithfulness, and boldness that we rarely see. The amazement, for me, comes from the widespread support of her words – many non-Christians have been in awe of the realness and honesty of it.
The disgust comes from the fact that most of those who reject her words are self-proclaimed christians, saying she was too political at a religious service. No – she was too much like Jesus, and they are totally afraid of Him. I have been talking about this for a long time; the evangelical/fundamentalist services I have attended or watched on TV have rarely included readings from the Gospels, and even less about Jesus. They quote the bad parts of the Hebrew Scriptures and the parts of the Epistles than condemn the people they want condemned. They don’t quote the condemnation of greed or the rich, and they love the parts that denigrate women and approve of slavery. But Jesus? Dozens of pastors have been fired or have quit after meeting resistance when they have read His words, being called Woke and Leftist and Liberal. No, they replied, I read the words of Jesus. Shame on You! I say – Don’t you know they are afraid of Him? Don’t you know that the last thing many Christians want to hear are the words of Jesus and the command that we love one another?
I have read Bishop Budde’s words at least 25 times, and the only part that is political is where she inclusively speaks of Republicans and Democrats. Neither party is God’s party and neither party does the right or wrong thing all the time. A president is supposed to care for people of all parties, religions, races, genders, sexes, etc. all the time. A president is supposed to support and defend the Constitution for all of us, not just those who donate to him and support his agenda. It doesn’t matter that Mr. Trump is not a Christian in any way, shape or form – although, if he was, he might understand that all are equal in the eyes of God. If you are taking his side over the bishop’s side, you are purposely rejecting the words and work of Jesus. And I guess that’s the point – if you are afraid of the actual teachings of Jesus and how your life would be changed if you tried to live them, you would side with a leader who advocated the opposite. Now, I think, I get it. Which just adds to my disgust and horror. And sadness.
Prayer – Holy God, teach all of us how to listen and live better, according to Your law of love. Amen.
Today’s art is “Love is Colorful” by Linda Woods.