For Lent, Let's Give up National Idolatry and Permanently Replace it with Christ-like Compassion

 

I question the sincerity of those who claim an importance of legal versus illegal means of entry into the country…

If a person values legality so highly, then I suggest that the next time that person discovers they are driving over the speed limit that they should immediately drive to the local police station, confess their infraction, and insist on paying the fine.

 Perhaps you think I am being silly in my argument. I refer you to the following information found at https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/speed-campaign-speeding-fatalities-14-year-high

There we read the following information…

“Speeding accounts for nearly one-third of all fatalities on our roads and puts everyone at risk, including people in other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and people with disabilities,”

Illegal driving causes deaths. It is a serious concern.

Anyone with personal integrity who insists that those who enter the country illegally should be deported, that person should insist on paying the fine for their infraction of speeding, however many times it may happen.

I think the concern about illegality of immigrants is merely a convenient veil to disguise the ugly face of hubris-infected nationalism.

What has troubled me since I was fourteen in 1969 is this fear: Many, if not most, Church-goers in America are first and foremost National Idolators who fit Jesus in so long as he does not interfere with their national idolatry, national pride, and cultural and financial comfort.

What continues to trouble me are church-goers that resemble Pharisees much more than Jesus.

A Pharisee will be quick and eager to pick up a stone to throw at someone accused of infraction. An imitator of Jesus will show compassion and defense.

Imagine if Jesus, instead of defending the woman, had opened his Scriptures and following the verses with his finger, said to the woman “I want you to know I am sympathetic. But it says right here to stone you.” And then, looking at the Pharisees, said “OK boys, have at it!”

Or let’s say the woman had been brought to Jesus a second or third time. Do you think Jesus would have said “Well, woman, you had your chance!” And then thrown the first stone?

Jesus never let anything get in the way of showing compassion. We should imitate Jesus.

Matthew 25:

³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’