Everybody is saying it: we live in a
divided nation. Folks in America have really strong—but really divergent—views on how this country
should be run and what rules we should live by. People get so worked up they
almost come to blows. At my neighborhood community center they’ve gone so far
as to adopt a standing rule that no one may discuss politics on the premises.
We just want to keep everything nice and friendly. We are, after, all a “55 and
Over” community. No one wants to see geriatrics try to body slam each other
over immigration policies or gun control.
But I’m not sure if “nice and friendly” is
the way we need to go right now. In the Gospel lesson for Pentecost 10 (Luke
12:49-56), Jesus says:
“Do you think that I have come to bring
peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” (v. 51)
This may not sound like the sweet Prince
of Peace with the lamb on his shoulder we see in stained glass windows or in
our kids’ Sunday school books, but it sure sounds like the Jesus who entered
the Temple of Jerusalem and drove out the guys who were ripping off the poor.[i] Jesus wasn’t afraid of
sowing a little division where the truth was concerned.
Saint Paul also reminds us that division
can be a good thing:
“Indeed, there have to be factions among you,
for only so will it become clear who among you are genuine.” (1Cor. 11:19)
Yes, Christians should be friendly,
welcoming, peace-making, and nice. But, quite frankly, I’m a little tired of “nice”
these days. When innocent people keep getting gunned down in places like El
Paso and Dayton, I think it’s time to do away with “nice.” In fact, I think
it’s time to scream our heads off, and if people don’t agree, that’s just too
friggin’ bad.
It’s now been twenty years since the
shooting at Columbine High in Littleton, Colorado. Since that time acts of mass
gun violence have only increased. Decency and regard for public safety demand
that our lawmakers enact some kind of gun control legislation. This needs to be
shouted so loud that even the dimmest sycophant of a politician sucking at the
NRA’s teat can get it through his head. There are common-sense measures which
can be voted on if our elected representatives have the guts to make them law:
1. No American civilians need an assault rifle. These
weapons should be outlawed along with high-capacity magazines, bump stocks,
etc.
2. There needs to be a federal law standardizing
background checks for all gun purchases which includes a mandatory waiting
period.
3. We must outlaw the direct or immediate sale of guns at
gun shows and through the internet. All dealers must take responsibility for
the firearms they sell.
4. We must strengthen domestic violence and “red flag”
restrictions on gun ownership.
If ever there was a time to start sowing
division, it is now. I’m sick and tired of people who only want to come to
church to feel good. If you want to feel good, get a massage or watch an
episode of Modern Family. Don’t
expect that the Gospel of Jesus Christ will always be a comforting thing. Jesus
came to shake things up.
Nothing makes me as spitting angry as
hearing Evangelical televangelists assure us that we’re good Christians as long
as we’re not gay or transgender, don’t have abortions, and give unquestioning
loyalty to the Israeli government (no matter how much that government oppresses
Palestinian Muslims and Christians). I want to ask these millionaire preachers
how they can rant about the things they rant about while many Americans are
living below the poverty line and don’t have decent healthcare.
I don’t want to hear platitudes from
the—what is it now?—eighty-five or so Democrats who think they want to be
president. I want a real Christian voice to rise up like Martin Luther risen
from the grave and call out these hypocrites for their hypocrisy in the name of
the Lord Jesus Christ as revealed in the Scriptures. And if that causes
division, so be it.
We are called to be followers of Christ.
Christ called out the money changers and the hypocrites. He caused trouble. So
did Martin Luther and Martin Luther King. So does Pope Francis from time to
time. We have to ask ourselves if it’s right to be silent and nice in the face
of racism, xenophobia, and just plain bad public policy.
“Nice” isn’t nice if it masks the truth.
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