In the Book of Revelation, John of Patmos has a vision of a “new earth,” for the “former earth had passed away.” Some followers of the Book destructively misinterpret the vision. They insert belief in a destructive god who will set them in rule over the ‘new earth.’ They insert belief in the deity justifying them making ‘former sinners pass away.’ But their invented insertion ignores John writing 2,000 years ago that the “new earth” is happening “soon,” “now.” They ignore Jesus too saying the changes are happening “soon.” Most especially, the new earth is not based on destruction but on Jesus’ witness to “love one another as I have loved you.”
Self-titled Christians awaiting and even planning future destruction are rejecting Christ Jesus’ ever-present loving witness. Love is always practiced in the ‘Now.’ Love is not practiced in diversions that loop us in past events and perhaps our regrets concerning them. Nor is love practiced in anxieties about coming events and our worries about them. We live in the past and the future but in such a way as to miss present love. This present loving moment is evolutionary; in it lives all of our memories, all of our being, all of our becoming. We are history, lineage, ancestors and, too, we are inspiration, generativity, community. Can we be free to be in this moment in evolution, free to love? We can be. If we are not, it may be because we misinterpret the past and the future, like we misinterpret it the Book of Revelation. We do so – in favor of rule for ourselves and in favor destruction of others, but not in favor of love. Some self-titled Christians harken to a past white supremacist rule and are planning for a future white supremacist rule. They are thus lacking in present love. They are enacting ‘making former sinners pass away.’ A white supremacist ‘christian’ thus went to Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo and murdered as many Black people as he could. The 18-year-old white male believed his godly rule was being threatened by the Great Replacement Theory. But the theory is a destructive white supremacist invention justifying them making sinner Blacks ‘pass away.’ Critical Race Theory attempts to understand the destructiveness of white supremacy. One of its primary authors was NYU Law Professor Derrick Bell, who was inspired by Jesus and his witness of love. Bell realized after winning important court cases that the courts and other institutions will not provide “equality for blacks when the remedy sought threatens the superior social status of… whites.” Critical Race Theory understands “systemic racism is part of American society.” “It is embedded in laws, policies, and institutions that uphold and reproduce racial inequalities.” Racism is destructive, crafted by white supremacists who want to rule nonwhites and make them “pass away,” but not love them. White supremacist self-titled ‘christians’ are Judas. As today’s Gospel reveals, it is immediately after Jesus addresses Judas’ impending betrayal that Jesus tells disciples to “love one another.” Jesus leaves no plan for destructive rule but does plan to be replaced by people who will be more loving, especially with more Judas’ and thus ‘will do greater things than he.’ Jesus is evolutionary and also revolutionary – active, energetic, vigorous for love, now, in this moment. Can we be?
“(W)e as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values… This (is a) call for a worldwide (community) that lifts neighborly concern beyond one’s tribe, race, class, and nation… a call for an all-embracing and unconditional love for all… When I speak of love I am not speaking of some sentimental and weak response… I am speaking of… ultimate reality… beautifully summed up… “Let us love one another, for love is God… If we love one another, God dwells in us”… Let us hope that this spirit will become the (spirit) of the day.” “These are revolutionary times.” “Love is the ultimate (power) against… evil… We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now… Now let us begin.” (Dr. Martin Luther King)
Prayer: Spirit, we are empowered to love one another, now!
Question: What is our agency in this moment? Are we agents of love?
May 15, 2022 Gospel John 13:31-35 Fifth Sunday of Easter