Jeanette Renouf

Beloved Friends

“Don’t mix religion and politics.”  How many times have we heard that said? Yet, all of the lessons today do just that. King David has those who honor him and those who curse and throw rocks at him. Even his own son plots against him, but through it all David seeks God’s guidance. (2 Samuel 16:1-28).

Paul, also seeking God’s guidance, demands his rights as a Roman citizen (Acts 22:17-29). Finally, we have Jesus entering Jerusalem on a colt, mocking the pretentious spectacle of Herod’s daily entry into Jerusalem with his Roman cavalry escort. Each mixes politics and religion.

I used to tell my theology students that if I followed them around for a weekend I would know their theology. They often looked horrified at the thought. How we live our lives reveals what we believe, in spite of what we may proclaim. The Rev’d Canon Stephanie Spellers in her recent book, The Church Cracked Open; Disruption, Decline, and New Hope for the Beloved Community, summarizes many of the past sins of our country and our church. There are those who do not want to look at the shame of this history but unless we can own it we are bound to repeat it, as we have in many ways over the years. To face the truth of these sins is to be set free to do things differently, to honestly seek God’s guidance. Spellers also reveals the brave souls in each generation who sought God’s guidance and followed the teachings of Jesus, some of whom, like Jesus, suffered death for their actions.

Spellers emphasizes the same hope and promise we find in today's Psalm 85:7-13. God is always present to guide us if we are willing to listen and follow. As the psalmist proclaims, God’s love is steadfast and good. God’s love is a process we are called to live every day. We live what we believe and, as we see in today’s lessons, that includes our politics.

In God’s Grace
Jeanette Renouf