Jesus knows his suffering and death are approaching and he is saying good bye to disciples. He promises to return as an Advocating Spirit, “I will not leave you orphans, I will come to you.”
The practice of reaching out to child orphans was one of the starkest counter-cultural practices of Jesus’ first followers. A common cultural practice of the Roman Empire which did not advocate for children but instead dominated them, was exposure. Exposure meant leaving an unwanted child out in the harsh elements; perhaps to be taken and raised as a slave, but usually, to die. Whether the family was poor or the baby a female or imperfect or of unknown lineage, the father of the house, as master, had the right to do away with the child. People learning from Jesus to relate in communion started reconfiguring family and started changing this ‘family’ practice. (Lk 2:41-51; Mk 3:20; Mk 3:28-30; Lk 11:27-28). Family need not be dominated by patriarchal control nor empire’s boundaries. Family can instead be inspired by a loving outreach to all, especially to the orphans among us. It is thus accurate to identify self titled christian Franklin Graham as un-christian. He does not practice the Roman Empire’s hostility toward children through exposure. But he does practice the U.S. Empire’s hostility toward children through supremacist immigration laws. Graham recently defended Emperor Trump’s immigration ban on Muslims. He said of immigration, “That’s not a Bible issue.” Graham proves he idol-izes a book but does not witness Christ. He has orphaned Jesus. Graham relates via a patriarch’s control and an empire’s boundaries. He does not relate via Christ’s communion nor does he advocate for those who, for whatever reason, are made to live as orphans.
Institutional Christianity and self titled christians in the U.S. are willing to identify themselves according to this Empire’s abusive cultural practices. It is important to give witness to the stark counter cultural practice of reaching out to orphans, whoever they might be.
Prayer: Spirit, Advocate of those who are vulnerable, be our guide.
Question: Who are the orphaned of my world calling out to me?
May 21, 2017 Gospel John 14:15-21 6th Sunday of Easter