You know how it is when
you preach. You try to get a jump on
next Sunday by studying the texts, observing the ethos around you, lurking in
coffee shops to overhear illustrations, and praying for the prompting of the
Spirit. Just when you think the sermon
is done, something shifts, and we scramble to expand our lectionary reflection
to include current guidance on how to live in our time.
Around the nation on Saturday evening perceptive
pastors were doing re-writes in light of the executive order by the president
that reduces the number of refugees, bans persons from certain countries, and
makes deportation a real threat to others.
The singling out of Muslims, in particular, is egregious, and
justice-oriented Christian pastors want religious liberty protection for all.
It appears that the recent executive actions are
an attempt to move the United States away from being the religiously free
country that the founders created toward becoming an aggressively Christian
nation hostile to other religions. That
the executive order was loosed on Holocaust Remembrance Day defies
comprehension.
From what I am hearing from preachers, fire in
the bones is returning. The weight of
this sacred task, proclaiming the Word, takes on new gravitas and urgency. Much like the challenge in the early Roman
Empire, Christians knew that being a good citizen of the empire put them at
odds with their confession that Jesus is Lord.
Embracing the “America First” agenda and the shunning of those desperate
to come to our shores violate the clear biblical mandate to welcome strangers
and provide needed hospitality.
Congregations are places of welcome for
refugees, and we often are on the frontline of resettlement assistance. Functioning as a place of sanctuary is now
under threat, and we must strongly resist government interference in the
practice of our faith.
Over the weekend, I met with religious leaders
associated with the American Jewish Committee and the Shalom Hartman Institute,
a leading educational resource for Jews in both Israel and North America. Christians and Muslims profit greatly from
the scholarship and conversations convened by these two bodies.
For nearly five years I have participated in the
Christian Leadership Initiative, which fosters greater understanding between
Christians and Jews. Together we study
texts, share perspectives on the relationship of US Christians and Jews to the
state of Israel, and practice respect for the lived religion of others.
Amidst the current political turmoil, our
conversations took on an added resolve.
We spoke about colliding interests of varied groups and pondered how to
build coalitions, recognizing that these will always be uneasy alliances, but
necessary means of social transformation.
Prophetic preaching, teaching, and action can
resist the evil unleashed in our nation.
This will require stubborn persistence, courage, and a wellspring of
hope.
Molly T. Marshall
Central prepares creative leaders to stand for
justice.
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