Unprecedented

 I am sick of the word, "unprecedented."

I hear it all the time with regard to this "president."  It isn't that we haven't seen this kind of narcissism before, or greed, hatred, lust for power or desire for status.  We have seen it in government, in the church, in society at large and in our own communities.  We have just not seen it supported by so many people who have given their unconditional devotion to a delusional narcissist.  Their willingness to sacrifice all decency, integrity, honor, morality and conscience might be the unprecedented thing, but then again, no.  We have the South before and during the Civil War.  We have the Holy Roman Empire.  We have the Roman Empire.  We have Russia.  We have China.  We have North Korea.  I am not surprised, really.  Evil lurks within these hearts and minds when it comes to greed, hatred, lust for power and desire for status.  That is why empire lives on in one iteration after another.

What would be unprecedented is if all Americans stood on the side of Democracy, even Republicans in office.  What would be unprecedented is if everyone stood and said that empire is not for America, and that we will reform our political (electoral) and economic systems to reflect a deeper value for Democracy, inclusivity, justice and liberty.  We could do that.  We most likely will not.  Isn't that sad?

And the Corona Virus - Covid 19.  It is not unprecedented.  Neither is the reaction to it.  The Flu Pandemic of 1918 had riotous crowds hell bent on self destruction for the sake of drinking together, and people demonstrating that wearing masks and curfews were an infringement on their civil liberties, thus spreading the disease and killing millions.  

What would be unprecedented would be if we would do the right thing for the right reasons - for the sake of other, isolating ourselves, wearing masks, washing hands, keeping distance and giving of our abundance for others in need.  We do have the advantage of social media, telephones and other tools for staying in touch, which they never had.  It would also be unprecedented if the government would actually govern for the sake of the people and give every household that makes under $100,000 per year $18,000 for the three months of isolation it will take, give money to small businesses with 200 or fewer employees so that their closing is temporary for the sake of the nation, and make healthcare free for all during this crisis.  That which is clearly necessary is not being done right now because of greed, hatred, lust for power and desire for status, though millions are in need in our own nation.  Isn't that just sad, though?

Wouldn't it be unprecedented, though, for Christians to stand up and say that we will not give our devotion to empire yet again, in this way?  Wouldn't it be unprecedented for us to say that we will live what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us as we have witness in the Gospels?  Wouldn't it be unprecedented for us to live the Agape Love and Grace of Jesus in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now?  Yes, with the exception of a hundred years or so immediately after Christ, it would be unprecedented.  I fear we will still not live Jesus' Kingdom values.  Isn't that just sad, though?

Pastor Jamie