Thursday: Windy Politics

The sky is falling in American politics. It was windy last night. God help us. Joy.

I know. I try to stay away from posting about politics here on Teh Interwebs. It’s not a subject that elicits mindful and measured conversation online.

The sides, however, aren’t the same. I won’t insult you by suggesting that one side is as bad as the other. It is clear that the far right in American politics is doing all it can to dismantle democracy. And yesterday was a serious flex for them as the Supreme Court agreed to hear the Presidential Immunity case. I’ll link here to Heather Cox Richardson’s lucid examination, but she offered this:

“Behind the horse race–type coverage of the contest for presidential nominations, a major realignment is underway in United States politics. The Republican Party is dying as Trump and his supporters take it over, but there is a larger story behind that crash. This moment looks much like the other times in our history when a formerly stable two-party system has fallen apart and Americans reevaluated what they want out of their government.”

Suffice it to say that I am afeared. We’re watching America change not-so-slowly before our eyes. The American Experiment may be coming to an end. American democracy may be coming to an end. I hope not. I pray I am overreacting, reading the wrong tea leaves, etc., but here we are. Significant change is afoot.

Last night a cold front blew into our area. The wind was fierce. Yesterday, the high was 70. Today, the projected high is 50. It felt like a meteorological metaphor for American politics. A cold wind is blowing through. There is going to be a change. What that will look like, we cannot know. Another Constitutional Convention? No one can say for certain.

Today’s Franciscan Nugget: “Day Twenty Nine - The Third Note, cont'd - This joy is a divine gift, coming from union with God in Christ. It is still there even in times of darkness and difficulty, giving cheerful courage in the face of disappointment, and an inward serenity and confidence through sickness and suffering. Those who possess it can rejoice in weakness, insults, hardship, and persecutions for Christ's sake; for when we are weak, then we are strong.”

So, here’s my question: What is God’s will for the Church in all this? Tea leaves, indeed. I keep turning toward Amos.

Amos 5:21-24

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

21 I hate, I despise your festivals,

and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.

22 Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,

I will not accept them,

and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals

I will not look upon.

23 Take away from me the noise of your songs;

I will not listen to the melody of your harps.

24 But let justice roll down like water

and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

God’s promise is always justice and righteousness. The work of the Church should reflect this.

Always.

Ironically, I study solemn assemblies. Like, I was working on a PhD in solemn assemblage. Candles. Festoonery. Praise music. Icons. Banjos. You name it, I was lookin’ at it. And I am willing to say that it is all dross in such a time as this if the Church isn’t also looking toward the welfare of all people, especially the poor and marginalized.

America is a big place. We build up and tear down simultaneously. Some people will not feel the effects of this political moment for generations. Others will bear the suffering immediately. We’re seeing that now. But do not mistake one person’s privilege for God’s blessing. That’s simply not how this works.

Luke 6:20-26

20Then he looked up at his disciples and said:

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

21“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

22“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. 23Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven, for that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

24“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 25“Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. “Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.

26“Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.

The Church cannot afford to speak well of the privileged in the United States. Instead, we must uphold the downtrodden and bereaved. This, dear friends, is the household of joy.

How the sky falls on our heads as we do that is not up to us.

Y’all be excellent to each other.