COVID-19 Not a Partisan Issue

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I watched Governor John Bel Edwards's COVID-19 related press conference today. It was filled with sobering data about where we are as a state in dealing with the pandemic. It was clear, based on the latest science (recognizing that we are still learning about COVID-19), and attempted to help citizens recognize their role in slowing down the spread of the virus across our state.

As I watched I was taken aback by the comments. They were filled with name calling, anti-science, conspiracy theories (an insult to those who have died or lost someone to the disease), and hatred. Thought I know the realities of the human condition and our penchant for self centeredness, pride, and individualism, I was still heartbroken. I was heartbroken at the ways that a public health emergency has been turned into a partisan issue. Heartbroken that many are still claiming that this is all a hoax, heart broken that some want the Governor to unilaterally mandate things that the Governor cannot enforce, heartbroken at how many claimed that if we just had "faith in God" it would all go away (by the way, this is the very definition of "taking the Lord's name in vain").

More than once I felt embarrassed to claim to be a follower of Jesus. Jesus called us to be healers, reconcilers, makers of peace, lovers of neighbor (even enemy), and agents of forgiveness and redemption. Jesus also called us be bearers of truth and to not bear false witness against one another.

I also felt embarrassed at the racist rants when the disparities in African American communities and Latinx communities where brought to light. Many questioned why we needed to talk about "race" and totally missed the point that we must because these disparities are part of a larger issue in our society around care, healthcare, who we care for, and whiteness as our default understanding.

The state is NOT keeping us from worship. The state is NOT keeping us from being the Church. The state is NOT forcing us underground. If you have any doubts about this make relationships with Christians from China, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

The Christian church should actually be leading the way in doing no harm, in loving neighbor, and in the healing ministry of Jesus. In these days this means wearing masks in public spaces, social distancing, encouraging our most vulnerable to stay home, and considering local medical advise about the risks of in-person worship. It also means to take seriously the advise and recommendations of the experts in public health and epidemiology about the risks of in-person worship.

This is NOT a partisan issue. It is a loving neighbor, healing agent, and public health issue.

Yet even in disagreement followers of Jesus have a duty to approach these things with love, care, and mercy to one another, to government, and even to those that we vehemently disagree with.

Let's do better, let us not spread misinformation, half-information, and outright false information. Let us model care for neighbor and humility.

Also let us be thankful that we have technological advances (not available in previous pandemics) that allow us to worship, connect, and grow in community.

The world is watching how God's people behave, comment, post, and act. Let us lean on grace, truth, and love. That might be the biggest witness in these days for what it means to have Jesus as Lord.

Peace & Love, Juan Carlos+

Follower of Jesus, Pastor, Spiritual Director, and citizen

The Rev. Juan Carlos Huertas serves as pastor of First United Methodist Church in Houma, La. This post is republished with permission from his Facebook page.