I'm certain that God influences human activity because of my life experience. The degree to which He/she influences our lives, is what remains a mystery. Is God pulling the strings, moving the chess pieces? To what extent is our will - free? We can’t know. For those of us trying to live in accordance with our Higher Power, discerning what to support and what to oppose is an everyday exercise. And yes, there is an overlap between issues of faith and politics. The best we can do, I think, is to study the Word, pray, and trust that God will guide our steps and our hearts.
In these turbulent times, I rest in the simple truth that Jesus taught love, above all: love God and love each other. The Sermon on the Mount, below, is a set of directives from Jesus on how to live. It updates the Ten Commandments, supplementing rather than replacing the original guidance. It a model for this earthly Kingdom, Jesus says, living with humility, love, and faith. How is this accomplished? Here is some insightful guidance from another Rabbi, Jonathan Sacks, which appeared in my church bulletin recently. Sacks writes: “The test of faith is whether it makes us more open, more inclusive, more compassionate. If it makes us fearful, narrow, or cruel, we should question what we believe.” My heart agrees.
These are the words of Jesus, from the Sermon on the Mount, in Mathew 5:
“And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’”
If some of this Scripture is not easily accessible to our 21st century ears, Jesus’s intention should be obvious- we are to care for each other in love. Meekness, He teaches, not arrogance; righteousness not covetousness; peacemaking, not dealmaking; mercy not of retribution. I adapt Sacks' guidance here to reflect my own sense of how to live in harmony with God in our world: “The test of what to support and what to oppose, is whether it makes us more open, more inclusive and more compassionate. If it makes us fearful, narrow, or cruel, we should question what we believe.” Amen. The song pairing is “New Promised Land.”
Until next time, stay safe, be brave and keep walking in the light.
New Promised Land
We are brothers and sisters
we all come from God’s hand
we share every breath we’re taking
every woman and every man
Let’s get together, side by side
sharing our treasure, arms open wide
let’s get together hand in hand
building a new promised land
We can love each other
the invitation extended to all
we will hear freedom ringing
when everyone finds a place to belong
Let’s get together, side by side
sharing our treasure, arms open wide
let’s get together hand in hand
building a new promised land
Now we have seen days of sorrow
we know we’ll see them again
but I have faith in tomorrow
you and me we are one
Let’s get together, side by side
sharing our treasure, arms open wide
let’s get together hand in hand
building a new promised land
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