A reflection for the Daily Lectionary Readings for April 14. Please see the Daily page for tools to help you make daily prayer and scripture a pat of your rhythm.
(Jonah 1:1-17; Psalm 114; 1 Corinthians 15:19-2) I’ve been trying to post on Tuesdays and Thursdays about the daily lectionary readings assigned for the day and not always succeeding. I’m a huge proponent of using the lectionary because it keeps guardrails on those of us who preach regularly so that we don’t preach our agenda with picking whatever passages we want to confirm what we think. But sometimes the lectionary can make us feel like we have to force what needs to be said because of current events and risk doing the very thing it’s supposed to help us avoid – twisting scripture to say what we want to say.
So today I feel stuck. There is SO much that needs to be said about what our current president is doing that is absolutely without a doubt contrary to the teachings of Jesus. I’m so grateful for the many in numerous denominations that are speaking out and saying it so much more eloquently than I. But as I’ve sat with the readings for today, mostly what I’m prompted to say is “God help us.”
Honestly, I cannot fathom how anyone, regardless of their religious affiliation, can support the president’s lies, threats to eliminate entire civilizations, horrible posts depicting himself as Jesus, deflection of criminal accusations, and bullyish demonizing of anyone who speaks out against him. Why would we want a person who behaves as he does to represent our country? Why would anyone choose to follow someone whose platform is anger, hate, and lies? And for those of us who follow Jesus, supporting our president, turning a blind eye to his behavior and words, or making excuses for him can in no way be justified by Jesus’ teachings.
But neither can we devolve into name calling, mocking, and dehumanizing threats as we call attention to the harm he generates on a daily basis. We cannot let our anger lead us to fight for revenge or retaliation. We must let our love lead us to work toward justice, always. Our current president and all in his cabinet who have lied for him need to be held accountable. But to demonize them like they demonize others also isn’t in the framework of Jesus’ teachings. We have to remember that we can work toward justice and remember the humanness of the people we are holding accountable.
The world feels like it’s being pushed to (past?) the brink of tolerance. Victims haven’t been believed or heard. Lies have been justified. Horrific comments reframed or simply ignored. Horrific crimes hidden. And all for what purpose? I don’t know anyone who feels they are better off. But what is there for us to do about it? Perhaps there is a lesson from our readings today after all. In the story of Jonah, the sailors whom Jonah has put in harms way because of his own bad decisions don’t react out of hate when Jonah declares who he is and what he’s done. They even try to avoid doing harm to Jonah even though he says to throw him overboard. And when they realize what they must do, they pray that God will not hold them guilty for shedding ‘innocent blood’. Jonah was far from innocent but the sailors didn’t want harm to come to him.
Be angry at the deceit and grave harm being caused by our presidents actions and words. We should be angry when harm is done to others. But don’t let anger blind you to the image of God within everyone. Do what you are able to work toward justice rather than fight for revenge. Let the Good News of Jesus be the guardrails. Speak out. Speak up.
Keep lovin’ louder than the hate, Y’all!
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