Faith, Hope, Love
A Pastoral Letter Concerning the Election from Fr. Shawn
Dear Resurrection,
With polling places open, I hope you’ve voted or are planning to. Standing in the voting line yesterday afternoon, I was moved by the turnout of our neighbors, the diversity represented, and the mix of gravity, anticipation, and anxiety in the hallways. I wondered about the rest of you having the same experience. I have heard the justified and serious concerns of people of color, women, and LGBTQ folks in our community–which makes this consequential for all of us. In light of this, I wanted to offer some words of solidarity and encouragement in a way that is specific enough to be helpful but spacious enough to give you room to discern how you might faithfully proceed. For this, I’ve found Saint Paul’s framing of “faith, hope, and love” helpful.
And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
- 1 Corinthians 13:13
Faith
What does an election have to do with our faith?
The church cannot “stay out of politics,” as some might urge. We follow the incarnate God who entered (not escaped) the troubles of our world, to become the servant of all (Mark 9:35) and reconcile the world (Colossians 1:19-20). Rather than pretending faith and politics can be separated, which hands over our bodies to the government while we hold our private beliefs, we might ask some better, deeper questions. How does my faith in Christ invite me to exercise my civic power for the good of others? How can my vote offer an expression of the One who is anointed “to bring good news to the poor…proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor’”? Faith realizes and trusts in our dependence on the One Jesus calls, “Our Father”. So, being in Christ means we too are invested as he is in the welfare of our neighbor. And neglecting this reality by opting out of politics, is an ill-informed exercise of privilege by those who most benefit from the way things are. In doing so, we run the very real risk of sinning against our neighbors “by things we have left undone.”
Therefore, whenever public policy concerns human rights, healthcare, economic opportunity, education, equity, safety, shelter, community, and the preservation of our environment, we should be concerned too. Our engagement with this election need not be partisan, but make no mistake that praying for God’s Kingdom to be “on earth as it is in heaven” could not be more political (Isaiah 58, 61; Matthew 23; Luke 4; Micah 6). If you want to hear the Lord name more succinctly the kind of community he is setting up, read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).
Hope
How do we exercise hope in this political moment?
Our vote can be an expression of hope. We hope to see this or that person in office, and we hope to see propositions and policies passed or denied. We should care about these things; there’s nothing wrong with that. But we also have a different kind of hope available to us, one determined by the God who raised Jesus from the dead and is shepherding history toward a future where all things are made right.
The Christian hope is prophetic and admittedly audacious. It compels us to take action addressing the social realities of today in the divine light of tomorrow. A prophetic hope, for instance, rejects the nostalgia for an American past that only benefited some, in favor of a society that works for all people. God desires a community that seeks to serve and care for all people, a community that includes the poor, outsiders, migrants, refugees, racial minorities, LGBTQ+ persons, children, those who need healthcare, and underpaid teachers and workers. “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40) In uncertain times like these, hope is a defiant decision to orient our hearts, actions, and vote toward the goodness of God and his promises.
Love
How can your vote be an expression of your love of God and neighbor?
We are given an opportunity to cast a vote not just to express what we want, but to consider the needs of others above our own (Philippians 2). In this way, voting can be an act of love of God and neighbor. Love compels us to think critically about our options, but does not lead to despair or inaction. Love, which casts out fear (1 John 4:18), is the grounding of our lives, and gives us new possibilities of peace in a world predisposed to violence. We have heard threats of political violence, fearmongering, and lies, and we must not downplay just how pernicious, harmful, and unacceptable it is. But the love of Christ available to us is a generative, generous, courageous, and subversive power that undermines the ways of evil. It seeks the good of others, it does not stand by to the suffering, oppression, or inequality experienced by our neighbors. Love prays for enemies, never retaliates, and always works for the liberation and dignity of all people. Love compels us to “do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8; See also John 15:13, 1 Corinthians 13, Philippians 2, and the sermons of Saint Oscar Romero).
Keep Going
This week, as you make your way to the polls, encourage others to get there too, and await the results, know that Christ is your companion. As bishop Andy has reminded us, regardless of the outcome of this election, we will continue our work as witnesses to the Kingdom of God. May you find encouragement and strength in his presence, so that you can be mindful of the needs of those around you. Extend grace and compassion to one another. Look for opportunities to exercise hope and commit to being grounded in love in all that you say and do. Commit to the living hope available to you, not because it's easy, but because, in truth, the resurrection of Christ has secured it for you (1 Peter 1:3b). To help you meditate on these things, I recommend listening to three songs, Faith, Hope, and Love on the album Three Gifts by Liturgical Folk and Jon Guerra. Finally, if we can care for you, pray with you, or talk something out, please contact me or any of our clergy.
Prayer For an Election (BCP, 822)
Let us pray,
Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States (or of this community) in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Peace,
The Rev. Dr. Shawn McCain Tirres
Rector
