Author: Bruce Ray

“Contemplate Your Navel”

~ Bruce Ray ~ Leave a comment

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:15 (New International Version)

Back in 2004, I wrote short sketches (known as the “Lisa and Mary Plays”) that would introduce themes for our worship service. One of the sketches was titled, “Contemplate Your Navel.” Written for Mother’s Day, Lisa and Mary have a conversation over a cup of coffee about their complicated relationship with their mothers and with mothering their own children. Maybe you can relate. How does one fulfill the command to “honor your father and mother” when their parenting skills do more harm than good, and you are left with deep wounds? Lisa has an interesting suggestion. Here’s the script.

Mary and Lisa find a table at the “Royal Pancake House” and get settled. The waiter arrives and begins to pour them coffee.

Lisa: (To the waiter) So do you have any of your famous brownies this week to go with the coffee?

Waiter: Sorry, we sold out. But we have a lunch special—liver and onions.

Lisa:: I’ll just have coffee.

Mary: Me too. (The waiter exits) We need to find a new restaurant.

Waiter: I heard that! (Lisa and Mary giggle.)

Mary: So, what are Frank and the kids planning to do for you on Mother’s Day?

Lisa: They’ve threatened to cook dinner and you know what that means…

Mary: More work for you. I know. The last time the kids cooked dinner, it took me two days to clean up the kitchen. Vanessa told me, “I’m not cleaning up. I cooked.” And the only thing ‘clean-up’ means to Ben is that he gets to bat fourth in the line-up.

Lisa: (Sighs) I can’t wait until our kids are parents. Then they’ll finally appreciate what we go through.

Mary: Trust me, I can wait. I pray every day that I won’t be a grandparent until I’m at least 50.

Lisa: I’m with you. (sips her coffee) What about you? Do you have plans for Mother’s Day?

Mary: Not really. I may take the kids to my mother’s place. .

Lisa: You don’t sound very exciting about it.

Mary: I look forward to Mother’s Day as much as I look forward to a root canal. I look at cards that says all these mushy things about how wonderful she is and how you appreciate how she raised you—things I don’t mean. I wish they would make cards for dysfunctional mothers. “Dear Mother, Thanks to you, two psychiatrists have been able to send their children to college, and four therapists have purchased new cars. Take comfort in knowing that you have contributed to the nation’s economy with your parenting skills. Happy Mother’s Day!”

Lisa: Your mother couldn’t have been that bad. And what parent doesn’t make mistakes? I should know. I’ve made my share.

Mary: I’ve sounded like my mother more times than I like to admit. I vowed I would never manipulate my children with guilt like she did me. And what do I do?

Lisa: Manipulate your children with guilt.

Mary: I vowed that I would never say to my children, “I wish I had never had you.” One time I was so frustrated, I actually said that to Vanessa. She just looked at me with those narrow, angry eyes. And I couldn’t believe I had said it. I had hurt her so deeply. I started crying and apologizing and asking her to forgive me. I’ve re-lived that moment over and over in my head.

Lisa: I get it. There was the time I slapped Tania across the face for talking back to me. I was so triggered. It was my worst moment in parenting. I still regret it.

Mary: I still feel so bad, and I’ve ask Vanessa to forgive me multiple times for what I said. She tells me to forget it, but I can’t. I had heard those words come out of my mother’s mouth more than once. She must have meant it. It just came out so easily. Sometimes—I hate to admit it—but sometimes the only emotion I have for my mother is hate. I know I’m supposed to honor her, but I struggle with knowing how to do that when I feel like she messed up my life.

Lisa: I contemplate my navel.

Mary: What?

Lisa: I stand in front of a mirror, and I look at my belly button.

Mary: That’s weird.

Lisa: I know. It’s a big joke in my house, but it helps.

Mary: Helps?

Lisa: Think about it. For nine months, you were connected to your mother, and she shared her life with you. Everything that went into her system went into yours. That umbilical cord was a life-line that fed me, gave me oxygen, and enabled me to develop. Every time I look at that little hole on my body, I think of my mother. I tell Tania to do the same thing—especially when she’s angry about something I do. Bottom line—if it weren’t for our moms, we wouldn’t be alive.

Mary: If it weren’t for her, I would have a life.

Lisa: I know your mom made mistakes–even some big ones, but you don’t have to like your mother’s parenting to honor her. She did one thing right. She carried you for nine months, and I’m glad she did. Otherwise I’d be sitting here alone, and you know I already talk to myself way too much. When you get home, take a deep breath, look at your belly button, and think about how blessed you are to be alive.

Mary: I’m not sure it will work for me. I haven’t seen my navel since I had kids.

Lisa: (Laughs) Don’t worry—it may be hiding, but it’s still there. Hey, I have another idea! Let get our navels pierced with a “Mom” charm.

Mary: No thanks. Just contemplating my navel is weird enough.

END

Whether your mother was the best of the best or she was less than the best, take a moment to “contemplate your navel” and thank God for her. She carried you while God “knit you together.” She shared her body with you and gave you birth. You were born fearfully and wonderfully made, bearing the stamp of God that gives you dignity and worth. You are not a mistake. You are not unwanted or unloved. You are loved by God and precious. And it all started in your mother womb–God’s creative arts studio. That’s worth contemplating..

“The Diabolical Distraction”

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I’m glad I wasn’t the only pastor offended by the “Pope Trump” photo. For a while, I thought everyone else had dismissed it as just more Trump bombast and buffoonery.

Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, IL, posted on X, “This is deeply offensive to Catholics especially during this sacred time that we are still mourning the death of Pope Francis and praying for the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the election of our new Pope. He owes an apology.” Rev. Cameron Trimble wrote on her “Piloting Faith” substack: “It [the photo] shows us what he wants to be: the single, unquestioned authority, not only the most powerful political leader on earth, but a spiritual one, cloaked in divine right. It’s not a joke. It’s a confession.” Atlanta pastor and Grammy award winner Jamal Bryant wrote on Threads, “This is disrespectful and dishonorable. I challenge evangelical leaders to have it removed at once …. Now he wants to be king and pope?” So far, I haven’t found any evangelical leaders who have taken up his challenge.

But it was Rev. William Barber III, who was arrested last Monday in the Capital Rotunda for leading a prayer service, that put the photo into a bigger context, calling it “a diabolical intentional distraction.” He appealed to religious leaders to “pivot back to how his budget will be deadly, destructive, & disastrous to the very people Jesus cared about and will undermine the very hope of America to be a just nation.”

It’s a good point. If everyone is talking the offensiveness of the “Pope Trump” photo, no one will be talking about his “one big, beautiful bill” (ie the budget). Trust me, #47 does NOT want you to know about, think about, talk about or do anything about the budget–and neither does House Speaker, Mike Johnson. That’s because the budget is indeed deadly to the most vulnerable–the very ones we are to care for according to James 1:27.

What makes it so deadly? If the budget proposed by the Office of Budget and Management is approved, every department and agency will experience significant cuts that will impact Medicaid, FEMA, Headstart, Section-8 housing vouchers, SNAP, the environment and more. While many program funds are cut, the budget proposal also includes significant increases for Defense whose total budget will exceed $1 TRILLION for the first time and for Homeland Security whose total budget will top $175 Billion to “finally secure the southern border,” (ie finish the Wall), expand detention facilities for whoever ICE arrests, and increase mass deportations.

In a letter sent on May 2, 2025, to the Senate Committee on Appropriations, OMB Director Russell T. Vought explained the cuts (and increases) in the following way: “The recommended funding levels result from a rigorous, line-by-line review of FY 2025 spending, which was found to be laden with spending contrary to the needs of ordinary working Americans and tilted toward funding niche non-governmental organizations and institutions of higher education committed to radical gender and climate ideologies antithetical to the American way of life.”

Spending contrary to the needs of ordinary working Americans? This budget calls for a $4 billion cut to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program (LIHEAP). The logic? These funds won’t be necessary in 2026 since–according to the budget summary–the President is “unleashing energy production” that will drive down prices and everyone–no matter what their income–will be able to afford to heat and cool their homes without government assistance.

All government budgets are moral documents that identify the values and priorities of the administration. This budget is an immoral document that reflects this administration’s priority to reshape the nation to conform to the vision of Project 2025. That’s not surprising since Russell Vought was also the principal architect of that equally immoral document.

He’s Only Joking…

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For the past 4 days, I’ve been in a Restorative Justice training, so I wasn’t able to closely follow the news of the week or write any posts. So this morning, I took some time to catch up on the stories I had missed. I didn’t get very far. One of the first things that caught my eye was a photo (obviously AI generated) of President Trump dressed as the Pope–complete with the papal mitre on his head and large cross hanging from his neck. Initially, I thought someone had posted it as a critique of #47’s quest for power. (“It’s not enough that he wants to be King! Now he wants to be Pope too!) But then I discovered that HE had posted the photo last night at 9:29 pm on his own Truth Social account.

I investigated further. Earlier in the week, the president was asked whom he would like to see elected Pope when the Conclave begins next week. He remarked, “I would like to be Pope.” He later added, “That would be my number 1 choice.”

Of course, Trump was joking. Or was he?

Whether he was joking or not, his “Pope Trump” photo on Truth Social has garnered almost 32,000 ‘likes’ from his followers (and over 7,000 reposts). The official White House X account reposted the photo and has received 183,000+ ‘likes’ (and 49,000 reposts).. Even Senator Lindsey Graham (R – SC) posted on X, “I was excited to hear that President Trump is open to the idea of being the next Pope. This would truly be a dark horse candidate, but I would ask the papal conclave and Catholic faithful to keep an open mind about this possibility! The first Pope-U.S. President combination has many upsides. Watching for white smoke…. Trump MMXXVIII!” Maybe he was joking too. Or was he?

I’ve frequently heard people use the “He’s only joking” phrase to minimize Trump’s most outrageous tweets and posts, but the president’s statements and the photo, in my opinion, cross a line that should deeply offend every Christian of every theological persuasion. It is not funny. It is a mockery of the faith and a derision of the leadership of Pope Francis. Some would go so far as to call it blasphemous since Trump is a convicted felon.

I’ve looked online for faith leaders’ responses to the “Pope Trump” photo, and have been shocked (and disappointed) to find nothing. I cannot imagine silence if President Biden had posted a photo of himself cosplaying the Pope. There would be outrage! Imagine if President Obama had posted a similar photo of himself. There would have been immediate condemnation, a demand for an apology and calls for resignation or even impeachment.

But President Biden and President Obama DIDN’t post photos of themselves holding the symbols of faith or wearing priestly garb. Which makes me wonder why this president has felt so compelled. It would seem (by prior behavior and pronouncements) that he is intent on painting himself as the savior of America and the world in order to amass and maintain power.

Scripture warns: “[False prophets] come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” (Matthew 7:15 NIV). They also can come in AI-generated papal robes with a big golden cross. This is no joke.

FYI: The Truth Social and X post statistics were updated as of May 4 at 7 am Central.

God’s DEI Program

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Thirty-nine years ago today, my sister suffered a debilitating stroke. She was just 33 years old. The exact cause of the stroke was never determined. She had none of the medical issues that would increase her risk of stroke. In fact, she had just participated in an 5K race the week before. The stroke left her permanently impaired on her right side, and she lost the full use of her dominant right arm and hand–a condition that required her to learn how to do everything–including writing–with her left hand.

Her body may be impaired, and it may take her an hour for an activity that would take 30 minutes for a person with two hands, but she is not unable to have a meaningful and purpose-filled life. She is a peer mentor for stroke patients; she participates in multiple stroke studies; she assists student doctors and physical therapist in what is called “educational modeling.” She has walked two half-marathons. She has climbed the 103 flights of stairs to the top of the Sears Tower…twice. She has even jumped out of an airplane (skydiving). She ties her shoes with one hand! I still don’t know how she does that, and I’ve tried multiple times to master it without success. I joke that she has done more with half a brain than most people do with a whole brain. It’s actually not a joke. It is accurate. And beneath it all, her faith in God has sustained her through every challenge.

So often, people with disabilities are dismissed and devalued. The word “disability” implies “lack of ability.” People with disabilities are perceived to be “takers” and “dependents” and a “drain on society.” Occasionally, my sister needs help–but who doesn’t? Not one of us is truly fully independent; and not one of us could survive without the supports of social networks and societal programs.

My sister has taught me that abilities come in a variety of forms. And every “body”–every person–regardless of appearance is, in the words of the Psalmist, “fearfully and wonderfully made,” (Psalm 139:14), and all people bear the stamp of God’s image (Genesis 1:26). She has also reminded me that God has purposely chosen and used the undervalued, the underestimated and the overlooked throughout history. In the words of St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before [God].”

These verses articulate God’s own DEI program–a program that elevates those who have been cast aside and scapegoated because of their “disability,” their gender, their economic status, their race, their ethnicity, or their documentation. The powerful and the wealthy of the world would discount my sister and others like her. Thankfully, God sees things differently and delights in the diversity of God’s people, opens the doors of equal opportunity and includes them as full-fledged (never second-class) citizens of God’s kin-dom.

And if God chooses the foolish, weak, lowly and despised by the world’s measurements, who are we to reject them? And if we do reject them, how will we justify it before God?

Breathe… (If You Can)

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Over the past three months, I’ve been advised to handle my stress and anxiety by box breathing–the practice of breathing in deeply for 4 counts, holding it for 4 counts, exhaling for 4 counts and holding it for 4 counts–repeat.. I’ve done it and found it to be calming and centering. But, today, I learned that breathing deeply is becoming a challenge for a growing number of people in the US because of air pollution. Particulate matter and ozone in our air are increasing, and nearly half of Americans are breathing unhealthy levels of air pollution according to the American Lung Association’s annual State of the Air report.

Since the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970, air quality in the US has improved significantly, but It is likely that will change in the coming years. On March 12, 2025, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the rollback of environmental regulations, directly impacting the air we rely on to live. Among the proposed changes are relaxing the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, relaxing the National Emission Standards for hazardous air pollutants for manufacturers and relaxing the Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

When announcing the rollbacks, Administrator Zeldin said, “Today is the greatest day of deregulation our nation has seen. We are driving a dagger straight into the heart of the climate change religion and ushering in America’s Golden Age.”

It would appear that he is driving a dagger straight into our lungs as well.

The Earth Also Grieves

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With the passing of Pope Francis, the Earth has lost one of its greatest advocates. The Pope’s encyclical, “Laudato Sí,” framed the climate crisis as a moral and spiritual crisis and called out the human hubris that exploits the earth and its resources without thought for the consequences. He was not reticent in naming the excesses of capitalism and the greedy pursuit of wealth as the culprit. For him, the earth’s condition and our care for the our common home was not a political issue or a question of science. Fundamentally, our mistreatment of the planet and our disregard for our symbiotic relationship with the rest of creation is rooted in the sin of idolatry. We act as if we are God. And the earth and its creatures groan. And the poorest among us suffer. And–in the end–we destroy ourselves.

On this Earth Day, let us be reminded of our proper role–not as owners, but as caretakers; not as creators, but fellow creatures. We are inextricably linked to our environment. What happens to the earth ultimately happens to us. If we love our children and grandchildren, we must love the planet and do all we can to protect it.

There is no “Planet B.”

Remembering Pope Francis

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The world lost a great leader today. Pope Francis showed us that the way of Jesus–humble, merciful and tender-hearted–was not weak and ineffectual, but powerful. He got my respect immediately when he rejected the papal mansion in favor of a modest apartment. And my respect only increased as he washed the feet of prisoners and Muslim women. He blessed children, embraced people with disabilities and affirmed the dignity of the poor. He demonstrated compassion for those on the margins and grace towards those considered unredeemable. He apologized for the church’s role in the erasure of indigenous culture and openly and regularly expressed his opposition to the onslaught in Gaza–including a condemnation of the “deplorable humanitarian situation” and a call for a ceasefire yesterday–Easter Sunday.

He was not perfect. Who is? But he reminded us that be a follower of Jesus is to follow the way of peace, justice and love. Pope Francis took the call to serve others seriously–with special attention to the ‘least of these” among us. May we take up the basin and towel as he did and shine with the light of Christ as he did.

And may the those who aspire to leadership be reminded by the life and witness of Pope Francis that influence and respect are not gained by authoritarian force or manipulation, but by sacrificial love and service.

Rest in peace, Pope Francis. Well done.

What is Easter in These Times?

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This year is different. It is the first time that I’ve prepared to celebrate Easter when the foundations of “normal” are lying in ruins and the future feels ominous and threatening. How do we celebrate in the midst of chaos when it feels more like Good Friday? How do Palestinian Christians celebrate resurrection when their homes are destroyed, their families have been killed and the bombs continue to drop? They pray for deliverance and survival. How do families declare ‘He is risen!’ while their loved ones are taken away in chains and locked away in dungeons? They hold one another close and light candles. Easter does not remove grief and pain. Easter begins in the early morning while it is still dark. Others have navigated this difficult terrain and climbed this mountain, but it is new territory for me.

What I’ve learned from others is that this Easter does not change our circumstances. There may be a 30-hour ceasefire in Ukraine for Easter but the weapons of war are armed and ready for deployment at midnight. (What a travesty!) The Empire is still the Empire. The powers and principalities are still conspiring to destroy all that is good and right. The forces of evil are still at work in the world, delivering death and destruction.

Easter does not change our reality, but it has the power shift our focus. Resurrection morning reminds us that God will not allow evil and empire to have the final word. It shows us that God will not abandon us to the principalities and powers.. It demonstrates that God’s “new day” has broken through the darkness and that the seed of the new creation has taken root. One day, all things will be made new. One day, the glory will come and we will be free. One day, God’s justice will reign forever and ever. This is our statement of faith–declared boldly and courageously in the face all that is unholy and unjust.

This resurrection focus–this resurrection hope–gives us the resilience to stand firm and not give up. Jesus told his disciples, “In this world, we have trials and tribulations, but take heart, I have overcome the world.” And we shall overcome by faith.

I leave you with a sermon, preached by S. M. Lockridge, who served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in San Diego, CA, from 1953 to 1993.

It’s Friday
Jesus is praying
Peter’s a sleeping
Judas is betraying
But Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday
Pilate’s struggling
The council is conspiring
The crowd is vilifying
They don’t even know
That Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday
The disciples are running
Like sheep without a shepherd
Mary’s crying
Peter is denying
But they don’t know
That Sunday’s a comin’!

It’s Friday
The Romans beat my Jesus
They robe him in scarlet
They crown him with thorns
But they don’t know
That Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday
See Jesus walking to Calvary
His blood dripping
His body stumbling
And his spirit’s burdened
But you see, it’s only Friday
Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday
The world’s winning
People are sinning
And evil’s grinning.

It’s Friday
The soldiers nail my Savior’s hands
To the cross
They nail my Savior’s feet
To the cross
And then they raise him up
Next to criminals.

It’s Friday
But let me tell you something
Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday
The disciples are questioning
What has happened to their King
And the Pharisees are celebrating
That their scheming
Has been achieved
But they don’t know
It’s only Friday
Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday
He’s hanging on the cross
Feeling forsaken by his Father
Left alone and dying
Can nobody save him?
Ooooh It’s Friday
But Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday
The earth trembles
The sky grows dark
My King yields his spirit.

It’s Friday
Hope is lost
Death has won
Sin has conquered
and Satan’s just a laughin’.

It’s Friday
Jesus is buried
A soldier stands guard
And a rock is rolled into place.
But it’s Friday, It is only Friday.
Sunday is a comin’!

We are living in Friday, but Sunday is a comin’! Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer (Roman 12:12) SUNDAY IS COMING. SUNDAY HAS DAWNED.

The Crucifixion and Burial of Kilmar Abrego Garcia

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Every Good Friday, whether you are Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, United Methodist, or UCC, Isaiah 53 will be included in the readings for the day’s worship service. The passage describes the suffering of God’s innocent servant. And though it was written long before Jesus walked the earth, it uncannily mirrors the events of Jesus’s arrest, sham trial, execution and burial. But as I was reading the Isaiah 53 today–especially verse 8–another innocent man came to my mind.

Isaiah 53:8 – ‘The Voice’ translation

Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away.
    From this generation, who was there to complain?
Who was there to cry “Foul”?
    He was, after all, cut off from the land of the living,
Smacked and struck, not on his account,
    because of how my people (my people!)
Disregarded the lines between right and wrong.

The innocent man’s name is Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

Garcia, a legally protected immigrant, was detained by ICE without cause, condemned without due process, cut off from his family and from legal protection, and buried in a notorious prison (known as CECOT) in El Salvador by the US government that first admitted his deportation was an “administrative error”, then claimed it had no power to find him or extract him, and now claims to have found “proof” of his gang affiliation, justifying his deportation to CECOT. The President of El Salvador has also refused to release him, claiming he is a terrorist.

Despite advocates who have cried, “FOUL!” and despite judges (including the Supreme Court) who have ruled in his favor, he remains–and likely will remain–buried because of the blatant disregard for the law and the lines between right and wrong.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been crushed before our eyes. He is not the only one.

Mahmoud Khalil was accused of terrorism for exercising his right to freedom of speech. His crime was speaking against the genocide in Gaza at Columbia University in New York; He was detained by ICE without being charged of a crime and sent to a Louisiana detention center over a 1000 miles from his legal representative and his pregnant wife–a US citizen. This week, a Louisiana judge ruled that Department of Homeland Security can proceed with his deportation. DHS has claimed that he is a threat to national security.

Jose Barco, a US veteran, served two tours in Iraq and was awarded a Purple Heart for his heroic actions to save his fellow-servicemen when a bomb exploded. Barco suffered PTSD and a traumatic brain injury from the explosion which was never adequately treated. Following his service, he applied for naturalization–a process that was never completed. DHS tried to deport him to Venezuela, but the country denied him entry. He now sits in an ICE detention center in Colorado while the US government decides what to do next.

Jerce Reyes Barrios, a Venezuelan who followed all the rules to seek asylum, was detained and sent to CECOT without due process, accused of being a gang member solely on the basis of a tattoo and a hand gesture.

Mario René López, a US citizen, has been sitting in a Virginia ICE detention center for 2 years due to legal questions regarding the validity of his citizenship claim.

Every day, innocent people are being harassed and taken away–leaving children without mothers and fathers. Some are disappeared, buried in detention centers and foreign prisons. And few of God’s people are objecting or crying “Foul!” Some even support the lawlessness and the cruelty of these unjust detainments and deportations.

I’ve often thought of the crowd crying out for Jesus’s crucifixion and asked myself, “How could they condemn an innocent man?” I’ve also wondered, “What would I have done if I had been there?” Jesus is being crucified again and again, and we are there.

We need to ask ourselves, “What are we going to do?” Will we disregard the line between right and wrong? Will we be silent? Will we turn away and be complicit through our denial? Will we, like those in Isaiah 53:4, “consider him punished by God,  stricken by [God], and afflicted,” not realizing that it is we that have gone astray and that Jesus’s suffering is because of our sin? Or will we cry “Foul!”? God, help us.

Losing Our Souls

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“What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?” (Mark 8:36 – New Living Translation)

I grew up in the Evangelical World of Billy Graham crusades, Biblical inerrancy and Bill Bright’s “Four Spiritual Laws.” There was a strong emphasis on rejecting the morals and values of “the world” and adherence to the morals and behaviors of holiness. Frequently, that was defined for us as not smoking, not drinking, not using foul language and not having premarital sex. We were reminded of the warning in James 4:4 that “friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” and the command of 1 John 2:15, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.“

Theologically, I’ve shifted to a broader understanding of “the world” and “holiness” that focuses less on individual behavior choices and more on the ethics of love, service, mercy, justice, shalom–ethics of the kingdom of heaven that are not frequently found in the “world” that values wealth accumulation, ambition, retribution, and domination..

Sadly, I’ve watched the American church (of many stripes) shift as well. Oh, it still wants us to maintain the individual behaviors of holiness, but it has redefined “the world” to accept (and even advocate for) values and morals that are antithetical to the way of Christ–values like political power, coercion, retribution, cruelty, abuse, and even lawlessness. Kingdom of heaven values like compassion, empathy, peace-making, humility and welcome are seen as weak, ineffectual, and “woke.”

There are people within the American Church that believe that the United States should not be a democracy, but a theocracy. And they have advocated for the playbook of domination and autocracy to ensure that the US becomes and remains a “Christian Nation.” Yet, the very pursuit of “gaining the whole world” has come at a great cost. In my opinion, the Church has lost its soul–its connection to life in Christ and the mission of Christ, exemplified in his act of servanthood and articulated in his commandment to “love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:33-34)

No longer do we lift up the Jesus who took the role of a servant and washed the feet of his disciples; no longer do we admire the Jesus came to seek and save the lost; no longer do we want a Savior who “gives up” ambition to lift up the humble. Now, we see depictions of “Warrior Jesus” and “Body-builder Jesus” and even “Patriot Jesus.” Jesus warned that “those who want to save their life will lose it.” Jesus also promised that “those who lose their life for my sake will save it.” See Luke 9:24.

So, on this Maundy Thursday, let’s reclaim our souls and reject the ways of the world in favor of the Way of Christ. Pick up a towel and serve, feed the hungry, comfort the afflicted, visit the lonely, defend the weak, welcome the outcast, love one another.