What a hoot! 'Super-Tuesday' of the Primaries falls on Shrove Tuesday: Party-down! Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Green Party, et. al., are all pushing the 'Party' today, all in the hopes of giving their candidate the boost they need to get those all important delegate numbers which will make them the 'electable' candidate. New Orleans could never throw a 'party' like this, with the 'beads' of power, position, and success being waved around to the candidate most likely to . . . . . . . (and, sadly enough, most of them are most likely to do anything).
The paradox of it all isn't lost on even the most simple of folks like me. Yet, this could be one of the most important days in current American history. The outcome of this day has the potential to intimately affect the psyche of the world's understanding of democracy in the midst of a sagging global economy. How well we choose and how well we support those who are chosen reflects, in global terms, on where the average American stands in the workings of their government and what is currently being held as non-negotiable of our values. Today, in the American political arena, is that important.
In the congregations with which I have served, I have steadfastly maintained the mantra, "I do not care how you vote, but I care that you vote. If you do not vote, do not complain. If you do not vote, you have given the outcome, and your voice, over to strangers. If you start talking politics with me, I will ask you if you voted. If you indicate that you have not, I will walk away from your comments. In your indecision, you made a decision for powerlessness - and that is not faithful. Our forebearers sacrificed that we might fully express our faith, our values and our citizenship. We can do no less than honor their sacrifice by participating in this privilege few others in the world so fully enjoy . . . and, in so doing, we underscore our commitment to future generations to guard and protect those same opportunties for them. As my faith guides my conscientous in the voting process, so should yours. Yet, however you come to your decisions, vote. Your voice might be the one voice of sanity that preserves this Union in the days ahead. Vote."
On any given Sunday before an election, those words are spoken during the announcement time. No candidate endorsements, no political party bashing, and no parlaying the pulpit into a media opportunity. Pure and simple, we have an opportunity to vote our faith, however we choose to express that faith, and failing to do so is failing to respect and honor our Christian root. Christ did not die for the United States of America, but He did die and was raised again that all people might have a voice as equal children of the One Living God. Even death does not render us powerless, for God speaks the final word about death from an empty tomb in the Risen Christ. So why submit again to the yoke of slavery, ignorance and apathy? Why submit again to the cruelty of governments which promise a freedom government has no hope of fulfilling unless it is on the very backs, in the very blood, sweat, and tears of those whom government is supposed to serve? "For freedom, Christ has set you free" says the Apostle Paul, as he sought to empower folks to live in the power of being a part of God's coming Kingdom.
The opportunity we uniquely have in shaping the ongoing history of this particular part of the world in the simple and profound act of casting a ballot, of speaking our mind, of articulating our faith, affords us both the luxury and the responsibility of taking a stand as a particular people of God. To do otherwise is paramount to saying there is no God, there is no Savior, and we have no voice. At best it is complacency, at worst, heresey.
Party-down on this Shrove Tuesday as you exercise your freedom and vote, for tomorrow we begin the journey with Jesus towards Jerusalem, where the Romans wait to silence every voice who dares to challenge Caesar's power. As Jesus exemplifies, even one voice can change a world. Let your voice be joined with His as we walk this way in faith.
Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Don
2 comments:
I believe that the apathy towards our government and our right to vote is what is wrong with everything today. My generation and younger generations stand back and say, my vote doesn't matter. Why does it matter if I vote? The right to vote is one of the main ideas this country was built on, and I love to vote. I find it is very empowering and something that should not be taken for granted, since so many other people in other countries never get a chance to stand up and be counted. This is our chance to make a difference. And, if you don't vote, don't complain.
Heard on the radio yesterday that Tuesday's primary had the highest percentage of younger voters that officials have seen in a very long time. I think it is refreshing to know that the young people of this country are becoming more active in their rights as citizens.
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