Hope For Our World This Easter
written by Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be make for everyone, for kings [political leaders] and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. ”
I was raised in my school and home to believe that political leadership was a sacred obligation. While political figures retained their human frailties, we were to respect their dedication to a cause greater than themselves. As I got older, a bit wiser, and even more of a wise guy, I still believed in the sacredness of the call to politics, even with human limitations.
Even when our politicians were corrupt, they at least attempted to wear the veneer of honesty and integrity. We are in a time of political despair when so many local, state, and national political leaders no longer even try to pretend to act justly. Our President was convicted of a felony, and our Governor guts public education, using public money for private schools that advance those already benefiting from unequal cultural opportunities. On a local level, they voted to ticket people experiencing homelessness for living on the street while creating barriers to building tiny home communities.
Meanwhile, people with Christian fish and cross symbols on their rear car windows claim the Church is no place for politics. The Church should not embrace politics if our theology is about living a moral life to appease an angry God so we can get into heaven. If our faith in God includes feeding, educating, and caring for the poor and needy, then politics is essential. Political action is the only way, within our government, to make meaningful change. Yet, if most of our political figures aim to line their own pockets and those of their friends and donors, then the faithful have given away the ability to make lasting change in God’s name.
On this Good Friday, when Jesus sacrificed so that all might live, perhaps it is time to look at who we elect to represent us. If those who represent us do not represent our Christian values of care, justice, and mutual love, then perhaps our Christian duty is to speak up and step out. Easter is in three days. On Easter, we celebrate God making all things new. As unjust as our political system is, at the moment, I must believe that the Holy Spirit will use us to clean up, restore intelligent management of our people and resources, and renew our trust in the sacred vocation of proper governmental leadership. Instead of giving up, let’s get up and call for faithful integrity to be the rule of the day once more.
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