What Jesus Said
Do I really have the audacity to comment on a footnoted headline that came through on today’s NYT Morning email? Some readers will likely click off after seeing the “NYT” reference, as the publication has been charged with liberal bias. That may be true. But don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.
The news is real news, no doubt also covered by Christian radio stations like the one my mother has tuned in to for years, KHCB. God Listens, billboards in Houston remind commuters. And no doubt FOX news also covered the story, reported by the NYT, announcing that “President Trump signed an executive order on Thursday aimed at eradicating ‘anti-Christian bias’ in the federal government by having agencies review policies and practices that he says have tried to squelch religious activities and activism.” Without manufacturing commentary about that, I have another idea.
How about we ALL sign a gentleperson’s agreement that we’ll review policies and practices that are ANTI-Jesus?
In fact, how about we do a deep study of The Beatitudes, one of the most beloved of Jesus’ teachings, according to Franciscan friar Richard Rohr. And if you’re interested, there’s plenty of material out there to illuminate those teachings. Perhaps start with Rohr’s five minute introduction to The Happy Attitudes or the extended conversation between Neil Douglas-Klotz and Matthew Fox on the Cosmic Christ. (Cue it up for four juicy minutes from 24:00 to 27:00 for a taste).
And let me give our new national leader a little credit. The NYT quoted him as saying this at the National Prayer Breakfast on February 6 “As the Bible says, blessed are the peacemakers….And, in that end, I hope my greatest legacy when it’s all finished will be known as a peacemaker and a unifier. I hope that’s going to be true.”
Okay, Mr. President. I’m holding you to it.
