04-11-23

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
​April 11, 2023
Malala Yousafzai won the Nobel Peace Prize when she was just 17 years old. In an interview she did with David Letterman for a Netflix show, the topic of her attackers was raised (the Pakistani Taliban tried to kill her when she was just 15 years old because of her outspoken support of education for girls). Malala said, "I forgive them because that's the best revenge I can have." She spoke of those who attempted to kill her as people who believed they were doing "the right thing," and sadly, that so often happens when religion loses sight of its most central values. Of course, Islam is not alone in this, as there are certain expressions of Christianity that have provided an amazingly sanctimonious rationale for all kinds of hatred, misogyny, and violence. There are tons of insecure and unhealthy people who are searching for someone to blame, and it is shockingly sad how the Jesus of scripture, the one whose commitment to the way of love and mercy got him killed, is used to justify the very things Jesus came to oppose. It is hidden under a lot of syrupy-sweet Jesus talk that would have made even Jesus gag.

Continue to push me, Spirit of Christ, as I seek to know your ways and implement them in my life and in my community. Amen.