A few weeks back our associate pastor gave a sermon in which, among other things, he expressed the need for compassion for immigrants.
In his next sermon he recounted how a parishioner had accosted him after those remarks – for about 20 minutes. The priest stuck to his guns (though he pointed out that he never said ‘illegal’ immigrants).
The next sermon came from the pastor. He stood toe to toe with the associate and reminded us of the Pope’s concern for immigrants and refugees, despite getting irate communication about his associate’s words.
This week the associate again drew on the Bible lesson to mention immigrants. This time I saw it coming. I glanced about 160* around the sanctuary: a good third of the attendees seemed troubled.
Think of all the times Donald Trump called America a “Christian Nation.” The used car selling governor, as far back as 2016, called Missouri a “Christian State.” Yet, these self-advertised Christ promoters may not have gotten the right message out of the book.
In today’s USA you can be a Christian – even a Christian Nationalist – while demanding children be separated from families, wars be fought against godless Muslims [I realize that’s an oxymoron], the use of the death penalty be expanded, and, well, let’s cut taxes even if it means education, health care, food and other vital things be taken from our neighbors.
To me that definition of Christian values needs work.
Not according to Republicans.
Nor, alas, the Catholic Church.
The local franchise for the Church of Rome wants results, no matter how obtained. Thus they support – in weekly Bulletins and newspapers – the proven lie that a massive campaign to pluck kids off the street and do unwanted gender reassignment surgery is a real and direct threat.
For the 100th time, it is already against Missouri law to do reassignment surgery on a minor. Plus, established medical protocols and peer review make that virtually unimaginable.
Polling of dumb people, however, obviously points to a fear of transgender people among “low information voters” as a way to get a vote against abortion.
It’s not just Catholics. How many other conservative congregations bend their theology to happily promote Donald Trump’s America? Yes, the real America thinks health care for all is Communist. We have a God-given right to enforce our will upon the entire world. That’s our cheap oil under their soil. Those who don’t agree aren’t real patriots.
Obviously, Democrats – I’m sorry, Dumocrats – don’t believe in their Jesus, their America.
By the way, under Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act Missouri taxpayers will have to make a choice. Over the next couple of years commit about $3.5 billion of state fund to replace lost federal support for health care, childcare, food programs, special education and a myriad of other things, or, slash support to about one in five Missourians (mostly in families with an income below $24,000 a year).
What would their Jesus do?
Glenn