If you have somehow failed to notice, this year is an election year in the United States. In the US we will elect the president and vice president (and the president will appoint A LOT of people), senators and representatives, both federal and state/commonwealth, mayors, city and county councilors, and everything else down to dog catcher. This is a heady time in the United States and, since we are blessed and lucky enough to live here and now, I will say this as clearly as possible: Vote. Love the status quo and want things to go on? Vote. Hate everything and want to burn it to the ground? Vote. I don’t care for whom or against whom, nor do I care if you write-in “None of the above” on your ballot, to be a citizen of the United States is to present yourself at the ballot box and be registered as present. (Note: If you need help figuring out how to vote or getting appropriate ID or anything else, please reach out to St. A’s. We will make this thing happen.)
Now let me make this clear for everyone: Jesus is not on the ballot for any race. There is no candidate who is the Messiah or God incarnate. There is no candidate that represents the views of the Kingdom of God, which can and does represent its own views quite clearly. The Teachings of God and the Good News of God in Christ are not partisan in any nation or country. God does not have a D or R next to the divine Name nor does Jesus vote for a particular party, and anyone who tells you different is selling something.
No, the reign of God is not partisan, but it is political. The God who reveals the divine Self to us is not right nor left of center, but is above the center. Don’t take my word for it, listen to the Psalmist (Psalm 146.4-9):
4 Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help!
For their hope is in the Lord their God,
5 who made heaven and earth, the seas,
and all that is in them;
who keeps promises for ever;
6 who gives justice to those who are oppressed,
food to those who hunger
and sets the prisoners free.
7 The Lord opens the eyes of the blind!
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down
and loves the righteous.
8 The Lord cares for the stranger
and sustains the orphan and widow,
but frustrates the way of the wicked.
9 The Lord shall reign for ever,
your God, Zion, throughout all generations.
Hallelujah!
God is not disinterested in humanity, just in our political parties. These are God’s politics, and we would do well to listen to them, act on them, and be faithful to them. So this year, don’t go to the ballot box to elect a Sovereign of the universe. We already have one. Go to elect your representatives, and then hold them accountable to God’s vision of justice in the world.
St. Augustine's Chapel 