My brothers and sisters in Christ,
I usually jot down notes of things I want to talk about. I was going to talk about my battle with leaves and the wedding coming up on Saturday. I was going to remind you that pictures for the Directory will be taken this week. But my heart led me to write the following:
One of the most profound things I have heard came from a Veteran who fought for the United States. Years ago, a commentator asked him how he felt about all the protests during a recent episode of our country’s history. Not sure what the commentator was looking for, but they were definitely surprised by his answer. He said, “I fought so they can have the right to do what they are doing.” One of the best answers I have ever heard. I wonder if they would have a different answer now?
The best answer I have ever read came from Jesus by a religious leader who was seeking knowledge. He asked Jesus what is the greatest Commandment and Jesus answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” But then Jesus continued, And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ (Matthew 22:37-39).
I commented in one of my sermons, “Why are the clearest passages so hard to follow?” To love God with heart, mind, and soul is really hard to achieve. This trifecta is so hard, but maybe easier to hide. I think this can be faked. The second greatest is harder to pretend. Actions speak very loudly. From what I read and what is happening on our streets, the only answer I have is that we must not like ourselves. Because that is the only way that the second commandment can be true. Since we (collectively) are not loving our neighbor very much, we must not love ourselves (collectively).
Maybe we have forgotten that we are children of God. Maybe we have forgotten that God loves us so much and that the love of God needs to be shared with our friends and family, and the stranger (immigrant) within our midst. This is not Pastor Tom being political. It is Pastor Tom trying very hard to be biblical. It goes beyond political parties. It goes straight to Jesus’ words in Matthew 22:37-39.
We can’t be silent. Being silent is like giving an okay to what is happening with the ICE raids.
When talking to people who are for these policies, they say, “I don’t care if they are here as long as they do it legally.” That doesn’t seem to matter anymore. People are getting picked up even with documentation, even when they are doing everything that they were supposed to do, legally.
The United States is one of the greatest countries to live in. However, besides its greatness, it has many warts. Do we ignore them, or do we try to fix them? Are we loving our neighbor as we should?
Please do not say, “God has ordained this country to be great in the world today.” Nowhere did the biblical writers express that in their writings. The only country God ordained is Israel. What is interesting about Israel in biblical times, that when they disobeyed God, they were punished, sometimes in very extreme ways. So, we need to be very careful saying that our country has been ordained by God. Are we following what God wants us to do as lovers of Jesus Christ? Is it possible that our country is headed to a day of reckoning?
I would love all of us to try some simple things. One, stay off social media for your news source. Social media is built on something called algorithms. What they do is to see what you like or tend to read, and then tailor your algorithm to these ideas. Very rarely will it show you something different. It will keep you in your silo that we all make for ourselves.
Two, how about we get our news from an opposite source once a week? If you watch CNN, then watch FOX for one day and vice versa. It might give all of us a different perspective on why the other thinks the way they do.
Example: My best friend sent me something about a person who is bringing young people to Christ. He was excited to share this with me. I also know which station he receives his news from. However, what he didn’t know was that this same person, who was bringing people to Christ, also said terrible things against black people, Muslim people, immigrants, and gay people. I can’t say truthfully, but I wonder if his news channel ever reported this. I also wonder if my news feed only reported this?
Personally, I think the days are over when we can trust where we get our news.
I would love to talk to you about this if you have different feelings. Please come into my office, or I will be happy to join you somewhere. Just know, I will not do this over email.
We will not be open on Monday or Tuesday of this week. Veteran’s Day is Tuesday. A day to honor those who have fought for this great country. For those who laid down their lives, so I could write a letter like this. So, we can voice our different opinions.
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Jesus was talking about what he would do on the cross for us. I wonder if it could apply to those who laid down their lives for us and this country?
Crossed marked and spirit sealed,
Pastor Tom
815-223-1144
Readings for 23 Week after Pentecost– Weekend of November 15 & 16
Malachi 4:1-2a Psalm 98 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 Luke 21:5-19