Reflections by Rev. Joanne Anquist
A couple weeks ago I wrote how I was giving up American Politics as my sport of choice. I told you all that I couldn’t live with the rage machine for the next four years and we all need to be gracious in our disagreement, especially in our communities of faith!
Well the best of intentions… Many of you have come to me after the sermons over the last two weeks, (where I admit, I spoke to the situation in the US) with a smile on your face and a twinkle in your eye, telling me how you all wondered how long that would last! Rev. Bill even suggested to me that a pool be set up with dates on when I would once again engage in rage at the state of politics.
I wish I could say I have been zen since I made that promise! But I have managed to stay away from cable news, which is the first step on the road to recovery!
But here’s the thing; I never said I would stop preaching the gospel. Speaking truth about and to power is essential to our Christian calling. When things are happening in our culture that marginalize and silence vulnerable people, we gotta say something. When governments are legislating without compassion we gotta show up. When folks decide that being “woke” or “politically correct” is oppressive and they prefer “free speech” that sometimes promotes hatred and “others” those who are different, we gotta stand up. But all this doesn’t mean we have to ride the rage machine!
Politics is a tricky thing. In our community of faith, hopefully we remain non-partisan. Mercy, truth, love and justice are not political. The principles of our faith are proclaimed no matter which party is in government. But politics, at its best, is really figuring out how we can live together in peace and that shouldn’t be a conservative or a liberal idea. It is said that politics is the art of compromise. What that means, is that nobody ever gets their way 100% of the time. That’s where the listening to each other comes in. That’s where the parking of our rage is played out. That’s where the dignity and respect for all God’s beloved humanity is kept central to any disagreement.
I fear the all or nothing brinksmanship of our current political climate will leave us without compromise, with enmity between us, and with no way forward.
I still believe, in this time of uncertainty, our best efforts should be spent in our local communities, engaging the systems to ensure that human flourishing is championed for all who dwell in this time and place. Gifts to the food banks, refugee assistance, poverty activism, advocating for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks, creating communities of compassion – that’s where the real pay off for justice is found.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is our beacon – there is no room for partisan rage in the Community of Christ. We work together to bring the day of peace. May it be so.
Prayer
Slow us down enough to see Jesus in every soul we meet.
Give us courage to insist on respecting the dignity and humanity of all people.
Inspire us to seek Justice and resist evil and by our actions, proclaim Jesus crucified and risen.
Free us from partisan rage that only divides us.
May joy find a way, and love be lived.
Amen