Reflections on our elections
Last week at the Council of Bishops meeting, I was invited with other United Methodist bishops to sign a Bible that would be presented to the newly elected president of the United States. When signing, I did not know of course who that would be. Would it would be the person I intended to cast my vote for, or another candidate? Regardless, as I signed the Bible, I was determined to pray for whomever would become our president. With the election now over, I now know the inscribed Bible will be presented to Donald Trump.
Like many of you, I have been thinking a lot about this election. I have been reflecting on the experience of the campaign as a follower of Jesus. It often generated anger, when we are called as people of kindness. It created friction, when we are called as people of gentleness. It encouraged thoughts of despair, when we are called as people of hope. It urged us to reject others, when we are called to love all.
The election is over and now the real work of governing begins in our nation. This is not the work of bills, votes and campaigns, but the act of caring for the polis, the city, the community. As followers of Jesus, we understand this to be the work of shalom, of justice and peace. To embrace and care for our neighbors. To witness the creation of beauty. To see the image of God in others. To listen deeply to the hopes and dreams of our neighbors and care for their concerns and anxieties. Elected officials have an important role to play, but this effort belongs to all of us as citizens and as followers of Jesus. We will work with all people concerned for the common good, so that justice will roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Come Spirit come!
Grace and Peace,
Bishop David Alan Bard
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