“I’m glad I’m not like…”
Fill in the blank. It
is easy to do. Especially these days
when it seems that it is in vogue to treat anyone who disagrees with us with
utter contempt. I am writing this on
the day after the third and final debate of the 2016 presidential
campaign. Like this season’s other
debates, the goal of this debate seemed to be to talk about what is wrong with
one’s opponent rather than lay out, in positive terms, where one hopes to lead
this country. OK, perhaps there was a
bit more substance in this one, but overall, it was one more episode in a sad
campaign season. Politics seem to have
been heading down this contemptuous path for a long time now. A lot of other
situations where opinions differ sharply seem to want to go there too –
including in Christ’s Church! How
quickly we make it all about people instead of problems!
“I’m glad I’m not like…”
So, this Pharisee and Tax Collector walk into the Temple. The Pharisee exalts himself. He is righteous. He knows that God truly loves him, because he
is right. He feels fully justified in
looking down his nose at the tax collector (and probably everyone else) who, in
his opinion comes up short. Utter
contempt. And then there is the tax collector. He knows what people think of him and he has
bought into what they say. He knows what
he is. But, there Jesus goes again: siding with losers. Walking with the uncouth. Welcoming those who others would cast aside
and toss out.
So what to do about this election? I’m no expert on economics or international
relations or immigration policy. I try
to stay on top of the issues of the day, but I would never claim to grasp all
the subtleties, complexities and nuances of every issue that faces us as a
nation. But, I think I know enough theology to grasp the
Way of Jesus and let that shape my opinion of the public debate. I know that Jesus never sided with hate and
self-righteousness. Never. He had an amazing capacity to love – yes even
tax collectors and Roman centurions – and calls upon us to live with that same
kind of reconciling, inclusive love! I’m
pretty sure that means working to bring people – all people – together, not
driving them apart. Jesus said,
“blessed are the meek” (Matthew 5:5) and
taught that when we welcome strangers we are welcoming him (Matthew 25:35). I think that means we cannot turn our backs
on the weakest and the poorest and the strangers in our midst. When I go to vote on November 8, my theology,
which is rooted in the compassion, grace, mercy, forgiveness and love of Christ
will guide my choice. I hope and pray it
will yours too.
Peace,
Bishop Mike
No comments:
Post a Comment