02-13-26

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
February 13, 2026
Henri Nouwen (1932-1996), the great writer and theologian, wrote the following:

“When we refuse to see the image of God in others, we prepare our hearts for violence. Racism and genocide begin not with weapons, but with a failure to love.”

​Originally, this quote was going to be a part of Sunday’s sermon, but for the sake of length, it needed to be cut. Yet it helps set the stage for the sermon as I continually hear people speak of other human beings in ways that objectify and diminish their humanity. When I express my concerns, people often respond by claiming they’re simply telling the truth. While that might be accurate if you’re seeking to speak the truth from an Us vs. Them ideology, if you genuinely want to convey the truth as someone who puts Jesus at the center of all things, you must always view the other person through the lens of love. I understand that this may seem challenging to some people, and of course, I remain open to engaging in conversation. However, if someone justifies an opinion by setting aside some of the most basic principles Jesus taught, then that person needs to simply acknowledge that they are choosing to follow something other than Jesus. Out of a desire to not sound judgmental, many of us in mainline Christianity allowed a form of Christian Nationalism to arise that is not Christ-like and has no hope of building a beautifully diverse nation. We can have good Biblical and theological discussions, and even have strong disagreements, but everyone should be able to stand somewhere on the solid ground of Jesus. He was the one who said all the laws are summarized in loving God and loving neighbor. And then, of course, he totally dismantled any sort of Us vs. Them definition of neighbor. In the end, your neighbor is any human being you meet. Period!

I am working hard on loving you and allowing your love, Lord God, to expand my definition of neighbor. Wherever I feel fearful of someone I do not know, and then allow my fear to define them as something other than one of your beloved children, then I pray for your Spirit to challenge me and correct me. I cannot introduce people to you if I am diminishing even one of your children. Amen.