Following is a continuation of the post published today, 28 May 2025 with the title beginning: Disconnect
Today, May 28, 2025, the person occupying the role of President of the United States of America claims to align himself with Christians – a branch of Jesus followers. By doing so, the President gains followers and apparent legitimacy in the eyes of followers who otherwise might see this leader as a shameless, selfish bully playing the game of: I’ll give you some of you want while I take a lot of what I want – and everybody else – well too bad for them, they are just wrong.
That this President was elected and can persist with such a profound breach between his alliance with Christians and his aims and behaviors is a tragedy. It is not just a personal tragedy, nor a personal failing of the President’s alone. It is a tragedy that we have failed to provide teaching of the arc of human history – who has done what, why, what were the outcomes, and on balance, where is good, and where is evil? Next, after digesting this history, answer the question: What is relevant for us today?
I can promise that anyone undertaking this learning journey relying upon credible sources of scholarship and teaching would not take long to see the disconnect between what is being said and done by the President and his cadre, and the life and teachings of one Jesus of Nazareth and the arc of human history.
What are we, people of conscience and perspective, to do? This, friends, is the big question of the day. We ought wait not long to find the answers and take action. Many already have. Many individuals. Many faith-based organizations.
And one last thought for the day: I believe most Americans know better. Most Americans have some glimpse of our history and of right and wrong, and of the importance of having virtuous aspirations. Our history is replete with examples of neglecting those virtuous aspirations, right from the start and even from before. Nevertheless, most Americans have some image in their mind of the Statue of Liberty – although they may not know the words inscribed upon it:
“Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
‘Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!’ cries she
With silent lips. ‘Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!’” The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus
What is our response today?
What can love do today? 