It seems that every day brings fresh outrage, reports of words or actions by people in authority that demean others or diminish their civil rights. From corruption and disdain in the highest offices of our land, to policemen shooting unarmed people, hyper-wealthy financiers and huge corporations using loopholes to avoid paying their share of taxes, it’s hard to trust anyone with power.
And, once again, John the Baptist is up to the minute:
Even tax-collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.’ Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.’
How are we to respond as people of faith called to humility and love? Much of what is being said and done publicly is so contrary to what Jesus proclaimed and lived, it seems to demand a response from any ne with a Christian conscience. We need to stand against destructive lies and demagoguery – Jesus did a lot of that. And yet he also said we are to love those who would persecute us. How?
What John did was to call people back to their true selves and remind them of their charge as public servants. He told them to be satisfied with the compensation they were receiving, not to crave more. Now, he was speaking to people who came to him; they were open to counsel on how to live more righteously. A lot of the people causing my blood pressure to rise lately don’t think they need to be taught anything about humility or how to be a bearer of Christ.
The most powerful thing we can do, really, is to pray for those who speak and act destruction. Pray for the most abusive and outrageous. That is exactly who Jesus told us to pray for. And for terrorists. And for destroyers of wildlife. And for those who game the system. The whole lot.
Every time we hear about a new outrage, how about we stop and pray for the perpetrator? Pray for God to bless them and recall them to their true selves. Imagine what change could come about if we wielded the only weapon we’re actually given: the spiritual power in the name of Jesus to transform even the coldest heart. I’m going to start. You with me? We have a lot of praying to do!
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