Is politics a joke? “Mommy, I wanna grow up and become a politician. Well honey, which is it? You can’t do both.” Politics tends to be the rule of the master class and reflects religious nationalism. Sunday’s Old Testament reading shows Jeremiah concerned with politics, but only within the narrow confines of his chosen people, the Hebrews and their deity, Yahweh. From Yahweh, “I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel … I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
Religious nationalism is currently hindering community in the U.S. White supremacists who call themselves Christian are putting boundaries on human dignity and the common good. They are believers in the Old Testament nation and deity. Like Jeremiah, they believe they are Yahweh’s chosen people who are called to fight non-believers and false gods. In their narrow nationalist focus they are proving their faith is in Yahweh for the U.S. and not in Christ for humanity. Among those responsible for this predicament is Billy Graham. Graham, who passed away last month, was called “America’s Pastor.” He was ‘America’s Chosen Pastor,’ for his focus was narrowed to a particular chosen people and nation. He at times made bigoted comments; anti-Jewish, Black, Catholic, and LGBTQ. For example, “Is AIDS a judgment of God? I could not be sure, but I think so.” Mr. Graham’s crusades are credited for helping millions with fidelity, sobriety, and thrift and his hurtful words could graciously be described as immature and narrow. His personal attitudes evolved on some matters. His primary political attitude however did not evolve. It remained narrowly focused on a chosen U.S. nation and its chosen people, specifically Protestant white males. Graham served and followed a superficial and narrow politics of supremacy because he put his faith in the political structure of a narrow supremacy, a U.S. Empire. Graham never evolved on religious nationalism. He supported every U.S. war, hot and cold, big and small. He supported every U.S. spawned despot world-wide and every capitalist venture of the U.S. to colonize the world. Graham nationalized Christianity, “I thank God for the men and women who, in the face of public …ridicule … expose (anti-Americans) who have sought refuge beneath the wings of the American eagle.” An imperialist Graham fashioned an imperialist Jesus who could no longer be recognized as the communal leader of a revolutionary movement for all humanity.
In Sunday’s Gospel Jesus says to disciples, “Whoever serves me must follow me.” Those currently serving and following Graham’s religious nationalism are not serving nor following Jesus’ witness of all people’s dignity and the common good – neither of which have boundaries.
Prayer: Spirit, lead me to a broad and deep faith in humanity.
Question: How can I be more communally active?
March 18, 2018 Gospel John 12:20-33 Fifth Sunday of Lent