ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
September 23, 2022
I caught just a few minutes of the Faith Leaders Congressional Briefing & National Press Conference earlier today. This was an event put on by the Poor People’s Campaign, a national movement started by one of our denominational pastors, Bishop William Barber. During the Briefing/Press Conference, Rabbi Michael Pollack spoke powerfully, and some of his words struck me. He spoke of the systemic bribery in politics and then said, “Stop operating by the wrong golden rule. Instead of the guy with the gold making the rules, we should operate by the other golden rule: love your neighbor like you love yourself.” Those words came like a slap across my soul, shocking my system with a very uncomfortable question: Where have I ever operated by the wrong golden rule? Where have I ever abused money, power or authority at the expense of those who had less? The Rabbi was challenging politicians, but earlier, Bishop Barber talked about a moral crisis in our nation. He then referenced Ezekiel 22 where we read, “Your politicians have become like wolves, devouring the people, but what is worst is your priests have supported them” (Barber’s translation). “Ouch!” says the priest (pastor). How do my words or my lack of words allow for politicians and others in power to continue to devour God’s people, especially the poor and marginalized? This is less a critique of any of you reading this, and more of a holy and unveiling examination of my profession. Lord have mercy!
Challenge me, O Holy One. Speak to me anew, O Creator of All. The people you have called us to be cannot be seeking the wrong thing. Our unspoken goal cannot be a little more money, a little more power, assuming that by my having more means there will be those who do not have enough to survive. Forgive me and allow your Spirit to guide my attention to the sacred and life-giving goal made real in Jesus. Amen.
