It’s rare and wonderful when the readings align so well with current events. In this mosaic and mesh, the gospel for our times, the people of Minnesota are the true heroes, so in praise of them, a slight revision of the weekend reading:
Blessed are they who walk their neighbors’ children to school
Blessed are they who donate food and deliver groceries
Blessed are they who mourn for Renee Good and Alex Pretti
Blessed are they who protest when the wind chill is -20, handing out hand warmers, naming the evil and calling out, “for shame!”
Blessed are the immigrants, who bring high hopes and many talents, then are heartlessly rejected by the US government
Blessed are they who try to de-escalate raw tensions
Blessed are they who translate documents and offer legal services, educate immigrants about their rights
Blessed are they who stand in solidarity with the Twin Cities, braving the blizzards and frigid temperatures of Chicago and many other cities
Blessed are three cardinals who boldly condemn ICE and the current administration’s policy of “might makes right,” ruining long-standing international alliances
Blessed is the archbishop of the military services, who tells soldiers not to obey an unjust order
Blessed are they who risk their lives to document flagrant attacks in cell phone videos
Blessed are the journalists and commentators who remind us of our history and rights, renew our hopes and humor: Heather Cox Richardson, David Brooks, Rachel Maddow, Nicholas Kristof, Michelle Goldberg, Thomas Friedman, Gail Collins, and many others on the scene
Blessed is the Minnesota National Guard, who brought protesters coffee, hot chocolate and doughnuts, themselves wearing yellow vests to differentiate from federal agents
Blessed are senators responsive to their constituents, trying to de-fund ICE
Blessed are you when they insult, pepper-spray, persecute and bully you. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.
And what of the men behind the masks, or the cabinet-level spinners of lies, denying events we can see with our own eyes? Of course they deserve our compassion, but they need to dis-arm, leave Minnesota and every other state being punished for voting Democratic in the last presidential election. For states who want ICE? Fine—send them there.
Father Greg Boyle in his work with the “homeys,” toughened gang members in Los Angeles has shown us the way of tenderness towards those who carry an unimaginable load. No psychologically healthy person, no one who is truly whole drives a battering ram through the front door of a defenseless woman, arrests a five-year old, or shoots a suspect TEN times. The mind of tribalism, that believes “might makes right,” like some whooping, belligerent, medieval army on warhorses is seriously out of touch, and shouldn’t be in leadership.
President Obama became known as the Consoler-in-Chief, eloquent and heartfelt as he went immediately to comfort the families of victims at Sandy Hook and Charleston. In contrast, what emanates from the White House now is not compassion for the dead or grieving, but demonizing screeds, groundless condemnations, and comfy black-tie dinners with billionaire buddies. “If the house of the world is dark, then love will find a way to make windows,” wrote Rumi. May we search bravely and creatively for the openings that shine.
Kathy Coffey 