In Matthew 19:16-18, the Rich Young Ruler asked Jesus, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life? [Jesus] said to him….’You shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness….You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ The young man said to him, ‘I have kept all these; what do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and then you will have treasure in heaven; then come and follow me.’ When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.”
We have a Rich Old Man as our president. I would guess he does not ask what good deeds he must do to have eternal life. He will define the nature of the good deeds according to how he is benefitted, not according to the ethics of Jesus. The president has committed adultery with seemingly many women. The president has publicly lied over 4,000 times according to a major newspaper, averaging seven per day. The president has signed a tax bill that steals from the middle and lower classes and enriches the richest of the rich including himself. The president primarily loves White people and those who call themselves Christian. Muslims, Blacks, LGBTQ, Mexicans and foreigners are best harbored behind razor wire, guarded by the KKK and Neo-Nazis. Love? Tell that to the parents and students of Marjorie Stoneman Douglas who were promised strong action to address gun violence. Where? What? How?
November is coming. Voting time approaches. Voting is giving witness to what Jesus has freed us to do, to set markers for the will of God, to demand love for ALL and laws to advance gun violence prevention. VOTING IS GIVING WITNESS to God’s will! November is Vote UP time for Jesus! For life! For love! It is time for each of us to respond to the question, “What must I do to have eternal life?” To VOTE is to give WITNESS.
Peace!
Ron Letnes