COMMENTARY

We Should Show Compassion In All Things

LET’S TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT: APPLY THE VALUES OF JESUS TO OUR SOCIAL, POLITICAL DISCOURSE

I have an interest in applying the values of Jesus to our social and political discourse. And I’m troubled by many Christians who advocate policies that seem contrary to Jesus’ values or who focus on things that are not central to what we know of his priorities.

Jesus was essentially a compassionate person. His singular commandment was “Love.” Love God;

love neighbor as self. Love one another. Any social or political commentary in his spirit will need to be compassionate and loving.

Most of Jesus’ work was the work of healing. So it makes sense that Christians would support universal access to quality health care.

Jesus was famous for feeding multitudes.

So it makes sense that Christians would make the elimination of hunger and famine a social priority - programs like Food Stampsand free or reduced-price school meals. Everyone should have their “daily bread.”

Jesus’ table fellowship was pretty inclusive.

He invited some rather disreputable people to his table. That says something about a characteristically Christian approach to the “other” - hospitality and welcome.

It is important to note that despite being brought up in a tribal world, Jesus offered the same healing and the same feeding to foreigners. He fed and healed those who weren’t from his own country or religion. A Christian foreign policy orimmigration policy would be similarly generous and equitable.

He made a Samaritan heretic the hero of his story that defines our responsibilities as neighbors. The good neighbor responds any need, even of strangers.

He broke down many conventional social boundaries, especially with women. He allowed Mary to sit at his feet and to learn as a male disciple might. He spoke publicly with a Samaritan woman and offered her living water despite her scandalous past. He befriended prostitutes and rescued an adulteress. His attitude invites us into an inclusive, restorative social policy that would break down similar boundaries and discrimination.

He told us to judge not, lest you be judged.

Much of his ministry was among the peasants and the poor. He blessed the poor and challengedthe wealthy. He told of a rich man who ignored the poor beggar Lazarus to his eternal shame. He honored the meager gift of the poor widow. He told a wealthy man that if he would be perfect, he should sell all and give it to the poor in order to be free to follow him. He ridiculed the man who filled his barns and failed to lay up treasure in heaven. He said it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God.

He blessed the poor and children as the beneficiaries when God reigns.

Any economic policy that would follow the values of Jesus would focus on the welfare of the poor and expect the generosity of the wealthy.

Jesus was a person of mercy and forgiveness. He was an innocent victim of the death penalty.

A penal system with Christian values would befocused on rehabilitation, reconciliation, and restoration of life, rather than mere punishment.

When he was threatened, he chose not to solve things by force. He did not call on legions of angels to protect him or fight for him. When facing arrest, he asked that only two swords be present among his disciples.

In doing so he met the criterion for a charge of lawlessness. But when one of his followers used a sword to defend him, Jesus healed the injured enemy and rebuked his disciple saying, “No more of this.”

I can’t imagine Jesus endorsing torture, capital punishment or easy access to firearms.

What about Jesus’ commentary on some hotbutton topics that seem especially important to some Christians today?

Here’s what Jesus said about homosexuality: Nothing. Here’s what Jesus said about abortion: Nothing. (AlthoughJesus was exceptionally compassionate toward a vulnerable woman when she was compromised and brought to him for judgment.)

When we don’t have words from Jesus about something, we do best when we frame our thoughts with compassion, love, inclusion, mercy, forgiveness. That was his frame of reference.

Yet we do have something from Jesus about how nations are to be judged - the parable of the sheep and the goats. Nations will be judged well if they feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, comfort the sick and visit the imprisoned. For Jesus, political focus is all about “the least of these.”

That’s Jesus-politics. Let’s try it.

LOWELL GRISHAM IS AN EPISCOPAL PRIEST WHO LIVES IN FAYETTEVILLE.

Opinion, Pages 13 on 10/23/2011

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