I'm rarely at a loss for words. But lately, I've struggled to put much of anything in writing. I have strong feelings about all that is happening in our country. I've said more than once in recent sermons, "Words matter. Names matter."
Many wiser than me have written pages and pages of words in recent weeks. I appreciate their work in helping us take a step back from the agendas put forth by our elected officials and discern what is fact and what is propaganda. At times, the conversation becomes weighed down, understandably so, by emotion and rhetoric. I have friends, family members, and church members with opinions that are very different from and very much in line with mine. Those differences and the depth of feelings that go with them have made it difficult for me to write about this moment in American history.
The American way of democracy, guided by our Constitution, has long been described as a "great experiment." It was George Washington who said,
"The establishment of our new Government seemed to be the last great experiment for promoting human happiness." (January 9, 1790)
We've reached a point in our great experiment where it is clear that many of us no longer trust institutions. For years, we've been subtly and not so subtly bombarded with messages telling us there is little in this world worthy of our trust. We've heard that we cannot put our faith in institutions, whether academic, governmental, religious, or centers of art, leading us not to trust others. Or at least to not trust those we don't know or don't understand. And that lack of trust has led us to find reasons to hate and act from a place of hate.
Hate naturally leads to fear. Despite your perspective on the news out of Washington, we can't deny that many of us live in fear. International students at Southeast Missouri State University, people who rely on safety net programs like Meals on Wheels, SNAP, and Medicaid, farmers who rely on international markets and government subsidies to keep their farms going, veterans, senior citizens, LGBTQ neighbors, the disabled, immigrants—the list is long and growing.
Some may dismiss his comments because of his political affiliation. I found wisdom in Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's words of caution in this week's State of the State address.
Here's what I've learned: "The root that tears apart your house's foundation begins as a seed—a seed of distrust and hate and blame. "The seed that grew into a dictatorship in Europe a lifetime ago didn't arrive overnight. It started with everyday Germans mad about inflation and looking for someone to blame.
Words matter. Names matter. My prayer for all of us is that we will pay attention to the words we use, the names we assign and ask, and the old adage, "Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?" Jesus told us to love our neighbors. He didn't attach caveats to that instruction.
We are about to enter the season of Lent, designed for reflection and confession, and to ask, "What now, God?" Our best answer to the question, I believe and hope you do as well, is to follow Jesus' last commandment:
"I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other." (John 13:34-35 CEB)
May it be so.
Peace, Pastor Linda
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