A Pastoral Letter: Enough. Enough! Enough.

How very good and pleasant it is
when kindred live together in unity! Psalm 133

Over the past two weeks, since the elections of November 6, there have been several people who have mentioned to me a pastoral concern.  "Give me some advice," they have said, "our family is not having Thanksgiving this year becaue our family is in a fight over the election."

Wow.  That is truly sad.

I told a trusted friend of my concern -- I asked her if my sampling of a handful was indicative of a larger problem.  In her opinion, where there lots of families and friends who had been divided by the vitriol of the election season?

I'll get back to her answer in a few minutes.  But I will say this:  as I look back at most of my preaching it speaks either directly or indirectly to anxiety and cultural angst.  I was ordained in 1999 - just two years before 2001.  As my church has heard me say several times, the past decade has been very hard:  wars and rumors of wars; bailouts and washouts; peaceful revolutions and outright civil wars; health care debate and massive unemployment; and then tough, divisive elections on the back end of everything else.
 
Anxiety, anger, and emnity are at all time levels.  And worst of all -- it seems to be driving friends and families apart.

Back to my friend, who said, "Yes, I think it's happening all over (people divided over the election).  I heard a radio program about it the other day." 

She sent me the link.  I listened to it here.  From This American Life it is a wonderful radio essay about divided towns, families, and friendships.  Some of the people in the piece are really angry.  Some of them are really afraid.  All of it because of political debates gone out of control and people who have let political discourse become personal conflict.

There are two moments in scripture that leapt to mind immediately.  One was Psalm 133, which is above.  It is Godly and lovely when we live peaceably with one another.

Another was Galatians 5, which describes the "works of the flesh." When we see "works of the flesh" think this: passions run amok.  Run amok like road rage.  Galatians lists 15 of these passions, and 8 of them are these:  enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions,²¹envy.  

My fellow Americans, that list should get our attention.  Especially when at the end of the section Galatians it says this:  those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Those who have the above 8 things in their lives will not inherit the peace of mind, the ease of joy, or the loveliness of kindness that the kingdom of God implies and assumes.  Read that list of 8 things, again and then ask a very direct question:  do any of those add anything -- anything of beauty or quality -- to our lives?  I say no.  So does the sacred text of faith.

Imagine the cost if we let them, those 8 things, take root in our families, on our streets, in our communities, and in our churches?

Enough of the stories of signs being taken down in front of peoples homes.

Enough of the stories of cars vandalized because of bumper stickers.

Enough of character assasinations of people we know, love, or once respected.

Enough of divisions and strife.

To be sure, there are real issues, real debates, and real decisions to make.

But do we need to demonize the "other side?"  Weren't we called to more than that?  It was Jesus who talked about loving enemies and praying for those who persecuted and tormented us.  Let's remember that spiritual discipline instead of letting passions run amok in our lives.  Anxiety should not get to have the last word, but for many of us it seems to be getting the only word.

Friends, politicians and political systems will come and go.  There are already those who are handicapping the next governors and presidential elections. 

In contrast to the multiplicity of candidates, parties, and systesms, we only get one family, a few really good friends, and one faith to share.

If your home is divided, your community fractured, your family split -- then say with me:

Enough!

Instead, speak a word of peace.  Make amends.  Be a family, forge a friendship.  No matter how loyal we are to a party or an ideology, no political party ever loved anybody back.  Once the check has cleared they have moved onto the next victory to win or argument to supply.  But families love us back and God is faithful still.

We know there is anxiety and that many of us are divided.  Let us stop our easy assumptions and easy accusations at those we assume are not like us.

Enough.

Amen.