Editor’s note: Pastor Dan is away and this week’s column is written by Lee Bowman, Minister of Administration & Communications, MCC San Diego.
By the way, be sure to tune in this week for Meet the Press when Chuck Todd takes an in-depth look at what’s been called a contentious, angry even depressing presidential race with his very special guest, Jesus Christ.
I had you going for a moment, didn’t I? Since Jesus has not given an interview in over 2,000 years, though how can we argue that his presence has not been felt, don’t watch expecting to see him.
Yet, few would argue this is a bizarre political year with high emotions. But let’s talk about the hippopotamus in the room. We are hearing and seeing – not just from a person – but from candidates, campaigns and supporters, talk radio and even preachers, things that are hateful, misogynist, racist, xenophobic, homophobic and inflammatory. And it’s gotten physical. It’s dispiriting, even scary. And don’t you really wonder, if Jesus were here, what would he say; what would he do?
Jesus grew up in a time of political strife. Not only were people living under Roman rule but also under Jewish leaders in tyrannical league with Rome. For religious groups there were Zealots, the Sadducees, the Pharisees and more, and what they all had in common is that they were fearful of, angry with and threatened by Jesus, as much as by Rome. And we think we have it difficult with just two political parties. Jesus was breaking the mold, upsetting the apple cart, bringing change.
We live in a time of fears and doubts. The Great Recession has ended, but the Great Struggling of many has not. As we become even more multicultural, minorities within 30 years will be the collective majority. And that scares some people. Many fear change, or being left behind or losing what they call “power.” Government seems dysfunctional. And Bob Dylan thought “the times, they are a-changing” back in the ’60s! Fears are being manipulated and played upon, even to the point of scaring people about who they may encounter in a restroom.
You see, with peace, true peace among people and peace within, there must necessarily be harmony, accord, balance, respect, understanding, reason, compassion, and there must also be love. What are the opposites of peace? Turmoil, discord, aggression, conflict, hate.
I think the first thing Jesus would say about all that’s happening right now is “Peace be with you.” And then he might, just might, offer some of these suggestions to us:
Pray. Not that a certain candidate gets elected but that there be safety, discernment and appeals to what Lincoln called our “better angels” and not baser instincts and fears. That we sanely debate, not destroy, and have the best outcome for our country.
Learn. Get knowledgeable about the issues and where candidates stand from health care to climate change to criminal justice reform to civil rights. I am amazed when people are interviewed and don’t know who won the Civil War or who the vice-president is but they can tell you the latest bachelor or bachelorette. I mean, there are movements right now to roll back major rights won over the last 50 and 60 years and the progress we have achieved in the LGBT community.
Register to vote. That sounds so easy, so simple, so … duh … but 32 percent, a third, of eligible voters in the U.S. are not registered, well above many other democracies.
Support those, be it individuals or groups or corporations or sports associations or other allies who stand up for us, for human rights and social justice and against hate.
In all that we do and say and encounter, refuse to accept bigotry and prejudice, violence or fear-mongering as any way acceptable or the norm. It’s not us. Sometimes by saying nothing, others can assume we are OK with something.
Focus on what is good and noble, just and right. It is so very easy to be drawn into focusing on the negative, and we can, we must rise above that.
Cher. I mean “share”. Share on Facebook. Twitter. Instagram. Email. Blogs. We can be a light. I believe that if Jesus had had social media he would have used it to its fullest. Why? Because what is social media? It’s word-of-mouth, person-to-person; that’s how Jesus’ message was carried by his followers long before even the Jerusalem Union-Tribune. Get involved and let your voice and passion be heard however that works for you.
Have faith and hope. Are we not people of faith? Through many difficult political times and challenges, has God ever abandoned us, has justice not always eventually prevailed?
Finally, vote and get your friends to vote. And if Jesus were here today, who would he vote for? Well, I’m going to tell you. (Oh, we can hear a pin drop now. Is he really going to go there? Who is it going to be?) Jesus would vote for the one who can make a difference. The one who in their compassionate heart follows his teachings. One who has the God-given gifts to reach out and touch people, send his message of love and bring about change. One who knows how to bring people closer to God and one another. Yes, Jesus would vote for … you!
In his initial appearance, Jesus even repeats, “Peace be with you,” and then tells the disciples and us, “As God has sent me, so I send you.” What a vote of confidence.
It was not politicians that brought about the women’s vote, marriage equality, the civil rights movement and justice for farm workers. Oh, eventually they got on the train, and others got run over by it, but it was the Susan B. Anthony’s, the Troy Perry’s, the Rosa Parks’, the Caesar Chavez’s who really brought about change.
Now, you’re the communicator, the messenger; you’re the voter, the one with the power. Jesus has put the ball in your, in our court. What we do with it can make an incredible difference and that can be an awesome discussion topic sometime for Meet the Press. And we pray, sooner rather than later.
