A Lament
There are two places in the gospel of Luke where Jesus laments over the city of Jerusalem as he longs for them to find the peace he offers (chapters 13 and 19). Lately I’ve been pondering what lament Jesus would offer for Christians living in the United States today. This poem emerged from those ruminations. I’m aware of the dangers inherent in writing something where my own biases could be unfairly represented in the words of Jesus so I tried to focus on direct quotes in the gospels and I list references below the poem.
In wrestling with these teachings and attempting to faithfully represent them, I'm also painfully aware of my own shortcomings in my attempt to live the life Jesus advocated (and lived himself). His admonition to not point out the speck in the eye of another when I have a log in my own has also weighed heavily upon me in this process. This poem is written in the light of the unending and inexplicable grace of God that covers my abundant shortfalls.
A Lament
Why do you call yourself my follower,
when you don’t do what I say?
When you don’t
actually
follow
me?
In the synagogue I read a passage from Isaiah
proclaiming my mission
to bring good news to the poor,
release to the captives,
sight to the blind,
freedom to the oppressed.
Which of these touch your soul?
Which of these spur you to action?
You doggedly fight over doctrine and dogma
becoming entrenched enemies with people
over issues I never discussed
while neglecting what I clearly said was most important.
Love God.
Love others.
You strive for power to impose
an agenda apart from mine
to exert dominion over the seven mountains
but
did you forget (or just ignore) that I explicitly rejected that same power
after 40 days of fasting in the desert?
Why are you fighting for what I spurned claiming
it is all for me?
To whom do you pledge allegiance?
I called you to be servants
not masters
to be among the lowly
the outcasts
the poor
the oppressed.
To wash feet.
Did you forget (or just ignore) that I said
turn the other cheek
love your enemies
provide a thief your coat
go an extra mile ?
Which of these touch your soul?
Which of these spur you to action?
You say that’s not the way the world works.
Isn’t that the point?
And how do you know
when you have yet to try?
I taught you the poor are blessed
the meek will inherit the earth
and it’s hard for the rich to get into heaven.
So why do you look down
on the poor
and revere
the rich?
Why do you align yourself with the wealthy and powerful?
Do you remember you cannot serve
God
and
money?
Choose one.
Do you remember the time I taught
how I would know my true followers -
giving food to the hungry
giving drink to the thirsty
welcoming the stranger
clothing the naked
taking care of the sick
visiting the prisoners?
Which of these touch your soul?
Which of these spur you to action?
If you’re not doing these things
are you following me?
And if not me,
who are you following?
Are you walking with wolves
thinly disguised as sheep?
Look closely at those you follow.
Do they lead you toward these things I taught you
or away from them?
Do they promote love or fear?
Service or power?
Peace or division?
Are you seeking the kingdom of heaven
or of earth?
Who are you following?
To whom do you pledge allegiance?
References:
[Authenticity] "Why do you call yourself my follower when you don't do what I say" - Luke 6:46, Matthew 7:21-23
[Mission] Reading Isaiah in synagogue/mission to poor - Luke 4:16-21, Isaiah 61:1-2
[Core Command] Love God Love Others - Matthew 22:36-40, Mark 12:28-34, Luke 10:25-28
[Unity] Creating enemies over issues not discussed - 1 Timothy 1:3-7, 2 Timothy 2:23-24, Titus 3:9
[Power] Rejection of political power in desert - Matthew 4:8-10, Luke 4:5-8
[Loyalty] Question of allegiance - Matthew 6:24, Joshua 24:15
[Leadership] Called to be servants not masters - Matthew 20:25-28, Mark 10:42-45, Luke 22:25-27
[Ministry] Being among the lowly/outcasts - Luke 4:18, Matthew 9:10-13, Mark 2:15-17
[Service] Washing feet - John 13:4-17
[Non-violence] Turn the other cheek - Matthew 5:39, Luke 6:29
[Love] Love your enemies - Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27-28
[Generosity] Give jacket to one who takes shirt - Matthew 5:40, Luke 6:29
[Submission] Go extra mile when forced to go one - Matthew 5:41
[Blessing] Poor will inherit earth/rich entering heaven - Matthew 5:3, Luke 6:20, Matthew 19:23-24, Mark 10:23-25, Luke 18:24-25
[Inheritance] Meek inheriting the earth - Matthew 5:5
[Choice] Cannot serve both God and wealth - Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13
[Judgment] Criteria for judgment (feeding hungry etc.) - Matthew 25:31-46
[Spirit] Creating fear vs love - 1 John 4:18, 2 Timothy 1:7
[Community] Division vs peace - 1 Corinthians 1:10, Romans 16:17-18
[Authority] Service vs power - Matthew 20:25-28, Mark 10:42-45
[Kingdom] Kingdom of Heaven vs earthly kingdoms - John 18:36, Romans 14:17
[Discipleship] Who are you following - Matthew 7:21-23, 1 John 2:3-6, James 1:22-25
