Unbreakable Links Between Each of Us

 

 

 even those in positions of privilege feel it too. As Bill McKibben wrote this week, “It is hard, watching the richest men on earth grovel before the new king, not to feel a little fear. I have some early morning bouts myself—perhaps I’ve caused enough trouble over the years for the fossil fuel industry that they will come for me. Those fears are tiny next to those of the millions of immigrant families who must be trembling tonight, knowing that some of their families will soon be cruelly singled out for separation.”

 

But still I hear some saying, let’s just see, even though we are seeing quite clearly. And I still hear some saying, let’s just hunker down and take care of us, even though the us is defined so narrowly. And I hear some saying, let’s just put our energy to understanding those who think differently, even though their different way of thinking is harming us and killing us. And I hear some saying to those of us who are religious leaders, just stay in your lane, don’t be political, you are being divisive and exclusive. And maybe you heard that especially this last week. Let the ones who know speak on this. Let them handle it. No! 

 

I saw the following headlines over this last week: Should priests and rabbis have something to say about policy? Is it the role of ministers and imams to speak on matters of politics and partisanship? And What to Know About Mariann Budde, the Bishop Who Upset Trump With Her Inaugural Sermon and Woke DC Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde defends lecturing Trump, tells ‘The View’ hosts she was ‘trying to speak a truth’ I understand that American Christianity has been so whitewashed and man-washed and overcome by consumerism that it has been reduced to McFaith, offering quick comfort, but that’s not what it is about. Over my nearly 20 years of ministry, I have seen what happens when Christianity is wrongly overcome by the idea that it is about individual comfort. One of the main reasons I see people leave church is the expression of feeling uncomfortable. It’s too hard to have something asked of you, it’s too much to be asked to grow. It's too difficult to be asked to hang on through the hard. It doesn’t match modern life to be told that sometimes we put our egos aside for the whole. Are you with me?

 

I have watched people leave church because one decision that was good for the group didn’t match their personal preference. I have watched conflicts arise because some weren’t willing to deal with anything that challenged what they wanted for themselves. But this is a sanitized version of faith, a cleaned up new spirituality that it isn’t rooted in the Christian tradition. Maybe it has been so corroded that we don’t recognize the truth when it comes before us begging for mercy.

 

For far too long, the Jesus put up front as the one to follow, has been an imposter. This Jesus has been turned into something other than a brown skinned Palestinian trying to call the powers that be to account. This imposter Jesus has led people to worship false answers and profits, to seek convenience over the common good, it has led those in power to release criminals instead of the oppressed. This imposter Jesus is not Jesus of Nazareth.

 

Being faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ isn’t about prioritizing what is good for any of us on our own, our own personal preferences over what the group needs. It’s not about keeping us comfortable. I guess being a disciple of Jesus of Nazareth is political, being a person of conscience is political, being devoted to Jesus’ core mission is political. It might not be partisan, but it is political.

 

 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ asks something of us, from us, individually and collectively. It’s political. I know that is simply too hard for some to hear. But yes, this is what we are here for. This is what he came for. It was never was about avoiding pain or personal discomfort, it was never about doing it perfectly so some win and others lose, rather it’s tending to one another and the sacred space between us, helping to free each other while we are here. It’s believing in and living from the unbreakable links between us!

 

I believe that and I know you do too. And that my friends is political. And I want you to know that in times like these, our bravery in believing this is needed. Our commitment to our ancient wisdom of knowing we are in need of one another, this is our call, our task, our work. When a permission structure has been given for hate and all kinds of things, it feels important to give permission to something else, for believing this, that we are bound together, linked in time.

 

 

And I guess believing that is political.

 

So no part should say to the other, “I have no need of you.” Living this, believing this, regardless of what is going on around us is political. Because “The Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of Love is upon us, all of and each of us to bring Good News to the poor, to help freedom those in bondage, to make more of us up. I know there exist a thousand unbreakable links between each of us. We are in need of one another! We are each other’s destiny! 

 

Communal Reflection

 

Thanks be to God. May it be so. Amen.