Reflections
Since, in place of a sermon on Sunday, I will be doing a teaching on the Holy Eucharist as part of our “Friend Sunday”, let me use this space to reflect briefly on the election we have all gone through in recent days. Though many in our community of faith are upset, angry and deeply disappointed at the outcome, others are happy with the way things turned out. Such is the nature of the roller coaster ride of our national elections. The intensity of our feelings have deepened in recent cycles, but the joy and disappointment remains the same.
As many of you know, politics was one of my possible career choices, and I tested that vocation in successful campus elections at Ole Miss and two years on Capital Hill in Washington, D.C. I continue to keep my political insight sharp with a weekly “coffee club” of former state and national political leaders and consultants. I write all of that to say that I am not naive about politics and the role and function of government. I also believe, as former Senator Howard Baker once said, “Politics is a good and noble profession.”
But one of the reasons I left Capital Hill and returned to Seminary is that I realized that I would rather put my deepest hope in the death and resurrection of Jesus, than in the ebb and flow of the electoral process. Government can be, and in its best moments has been, an instrument of good, and the building up of our common life. But even in its best moments, like all human efforts, government run, even by our absolute favorite
politician and party, falls short of the Kingdom of God. To think otherwise, is to move us into something that has, in our day, become known as “Christian Nationalism”. It has taken many different names and forms through the centuries, but the common thread is to equate God’s purposes and kingdom with a particular government.
In full disclosure, let me say that I am one of those who, even with the distance and perspective of 72 hours, is “upset, angry and deeply disappointed”. I believe that is a perfectly natural and normal response for one so passionate about politics as I. However, I do not want to stay there, and I will not let those emotions deter me from the ongoing work of justice, hope, love and reconciliation to which Jesus has called me. I will pray for our President-elect that he might lead this country wisely and justly, and I will continue to live, as faithfully as I can, as a follower of the One who declared that,
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good
news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and
recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the
year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19
I’ll conclude this reflection with the words of the systematic theologian who has most influenced my theological perspective, Reinhold Niebuhr. Niebuhr took human sin very seriously and was clear about the limits of even our best efforts. He once wrote,
“Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; therefore, we
must be saved by hope. Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes
complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore, we must be
saved by faith. Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished
alone; therefore, we must be saved by love. No virtuous act is quite as
virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as it is from our standpoint.
Therefore, we must be saved by the final form of love which is forgiveness.”
-Reinhold Niebuhr; The Irony of American History
So, my dear friends: “Go forth into the world in peace. Be strong and of good courage. Hold fast to that which is good. Render to no one evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted. Support the weak. Help the afflicted. Honor all persons. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit…”
-You Know Who; Every Sunday morning
Other Matters of Importance-
This Sunday is Friend Sunday:
Our liturgy which is so meaningful to us is often confusing and intimidating to visitors. Therefore, in an effort to be helpful, I will be doing a teaching on the Holy Eucharist in place of a sermon this Sunday. I will also have a book available for newcomers and visitors that unpacks the meaning of our liturgy more completely.
Bring and friend to church, and see what you both can learn!
Jail Ministry-Thanksgiving Meal-Brief Meeting After Worship:
We still need a number of people willing to cook for our “Thanksgiving” luncheon for residents at the Yalobusha County jail on Saturday, November 23.
Please talk to Laura Pitre (662-417-9246) if you would be willing to help in this effort. Laura will be convening a short meeting after worship this Sunday to talk about the logistics of this special ministry moment.
Mission Committee-Tuesday, November 10 @6:00pm:
Our regular monthly meeting of the Nativity Mission Committee will be held this
Tuesday, November 10 @ 6:00pm in the Salt and Light Building. This is always
an open meeting, so any member of Nativity is welcome to attend.
See you in church on Sunday!
Blessings and Peace,
Duncan
(601)260-1937
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