Photo Courtesy of Wes Magruder
Assault rifle
These are extraordinary times in which we are living. I mean these particular days and weeks.
I would normally refrain from such hyperbole; I am acutely aware that most generations of humans presume their generation to be especially unique. Every one thinks they live in the end times, or that their own generation is the greatest — or the worst.
But these latter days of 2015 reveal a giant stress fracture which lies directly under our feet. This crack divides communities, nations, religions, and races. It poisons our political and civic discourse; it leads to a continual spiral of violence, a spiral which has begun.
Honestly, I don’t know when I have felt as hopeless about the immediate future of the national, and international, situation. There are dangerous radicalized Islamist groups out there who want to take my head off, but much closer to home, there are folks who think Islam is Satan’s religion, want to shoot up Planned Parenthood clinics, think Obama is the Anti-Christ (literally), don’t think twice about spewing racial hatred and homophobic propaganda, and those who are simply mentally unstable but, because of our screwy budget priorities, don’t have access to care. Add to that a healthy dose of freely-available guns, and you’ve got yourself the disaster that is unfolding across the country.
A major presidential candidate says things that are simply not true — and gets away with it. In fact, the more outrageous his statements, the more popular he becomes! And if you haven’t noticed, world and national crises no longer cause us to unify around our commonalities; instead, every crisis becomes an opportunity to score political points at the expense of others.
Something is wrong, people. This is not who we are supposed to be, first, as Americans. All of the rhetoric around the American identity, the founding of our nation, and the content of our founding documents, stresses the fundamental qualities of decency, equality, truth, liberty and democracy. There is a problem within our national character which deserves deeper probing and consideration.
But I am even more concerned about the people who call themselves “Christian.” The fact that the church is just as divided as the culture around us belies our identity as the “body of Christ.” When we find ourselves parroting the party line of any particular political party, or spouting things that are hateful, mean-spirited, or meant to inspire fear, then we ought to reflect on our own identities as Christians.
We must remind ourselves constantly that, first and foremost, before we are Americans or Texans, we are beloved sons and daughters of God, and ambassadors of Christ’s reconciliation. Through our baptism, we have been marked by God and given the task of living by the rules of God’s reign, which is seen most clearly in the life and teaching of Jesus.
As followers of Jesus, we actually do have something relevant to add to the conversation. We are uniquely suited to contribute something positive to the world, and national, situation. We have a “new commandment” which Jesus gave us, which ought inform everything we do, even when it comes to politics. We aren’t guaranteed that anybody will listen to us, nor are we sure that our love or service will be reciprocated.
But we are called to be “salt and light” in this insane world. That admonition comes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, which I understand to be our own founding document. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).
What I hear Jesus saying to us in this text is that, when the world is especially dark, the church needs to shine. What I hear Jesus saying to me in this text is that, as the world roils and turns violent, I need to raise my own voice for peace.
Our response in these uniquely dangerous and difficult times is to do good works, to shine our light. Not to demean others on Facebook, or to engage in political fist fighting. Not to raise suspicions or stir the pot of fear. Nor is this the time for the followers of Jesus to curl into a ball and say our gentle prayers.
No, instead, we must be on the front lines of those who are calling for radical compassion for the most vulnerable, radical hospitality for the stranger, and radical love of enemy. None of these are easy things to do, but if we wish to identify with Jesus, then it’s what we must do.
It’s a matter of identity, folks. Who are we? Are we disgruntled Americans? Or are we the followers of Jesus of Nazareth?
A former United Methodist missionary to Cameroon, the Rev. Wes Magruder serves as senior pastor of Kessler Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, TX. This post is republished with the author's permission from the church's website.