A good prayer for a person in power ought to leave them with knees trembling rather than head nodding. —Esau McCaulley, The Atlantic
* * *
On Monday the president signed a batch of executive orders including one that aims to restore freedom of speech and end censorship.
On Tuesday at the National Cathedral’s Inaugural Prayer Service, the president got a dose of free speech.
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde exercised her first amendment rights and the “freedom of the pulpit.” She began with a generic appeal for unity with diversity in our polarized land.
(Amen.)
And then, in a surprise move, she spoke directly to the president and forcefully but kindly admonished him.
“In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives.”
(JD Vance glanced toward the president with a look that said: Add HER to your list.)
“I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away, and that you help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here.”
That night the president published a rebuke:
She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way. She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart. She is not very good at her job! She and her church owe the public an apology!
(Hmm. Sounds like censorship to me.)
The president thought a church was a “safe space” for him. After all, every single church he visited over the past 10 years welcomed him as redeemer, messiah, God’s anointed servant to save America from liberals, commies, perverts, vermin, and “the woke.” All across our nation, certain pastors embraced him while congregants stood and applauded.
But, of course, THAT wasn’t bringing “the church into the World of politics.”
(On guard, my friends. The Vandals are inside the gate.)
I root for the church. But for the past 10 years, the public face of the church hasn’t looked good. On Tuesday, the Bishop gave it a good look.
Megyn Kelly didn’t like it. Fox News didn’t like it. The New York Post didn’t either.
And that’s what we in the preaching business call good preachin’.
Comfort the disturbed. Disturb the comfortable.
Amen, Hallelujah, and Praise the god she was preaching!
Yes! She was saying what needed to be said, but the response…Trump said “she brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way” and criticized her tone as “nasty. ”
Trump projects his nastiness onto others. The nasty tone was his.
Words can make a difference. Bishop Budde decided to use hers to speak truth to power. Interestingly, she decided to add the final sentences of her gentle yet bold confrontation with Trump just prior to the service that morning. I’m glad she did. In doing so and in developing her theme, she recognized what William Sloane Coffin affirmed: “Human unity is not something we are called to create, only to recognize.”
Yes. With a kind heart she did what we are reminded to do – “tell the rich of the midnite sighing of the poor”.
We can’t make them hear us. But it needs to be said. Some will hear; some will not. But speaking truth to power is now the brave act of conscience. Bishop Budde. Most of the prayers that day made me wonder if the President could hear; was he listening? Every pastor, minister, rabbi had holy words & truths that were apropos to the moment. The Bishop put a fine, direct point on what most of them & us were praying for… & it got under his skin? JD’s? Guess she disturbed a few comfortable people. Doing God’s work. 🎶Heaven help us all🎶
“Tell the rich of the midnite sighing of the poor.” 💔
Amen!!!
If MAGA hates it then you know you’re on the right track. Donny boy got a little holy water splashed in his face and it burrrrrned.
this made me giggle
Good
Now that is love in action.
“I don’t hate the president, and I pray for him,” Budde told NPR in an interview Wednesday. “I don’t feel there’s a need to apologize for a request for mercy.”
She is incredible. Love her!
Bishop Budde spoke truth to power. One could see “The Golden Calf’s” discomfiture. She said what needed saying. Good for her. However, we know that hearing what he needed to hear shed no light on his malignant soul. The time has come to make “good trouble”. Follow the words of John Lewis and Dr. King. All hands are needed on deck. Onward!
Comfort the afflicted. Afflict the comfortable. The sword of truth cuts deeply through the lies we tell ourselves and others. She asked of trump what Jesus asked of all of us. She led and challenged a man who’s mocked God and the teachings of Jesus and Hebrew prophets. She’s a hero or heroine because she did her duty. She lifted her voice and blessed us all. Thank you, Randy.
I had tuned in as I often do to hear the public service for Peace in the Nation. The readings and songs were carefully chosen to support her message, with interfaith speakers and music from heartfelt places.
Her message of unity, the big picture of who our nation is, felt as though she was reconnecting shards of shattered glass, so carefully did she utter her words. She placed them and pieced them so intimately, bestowing them in the short space between her and the first families, as an illuminated gift, warm in the offering. Time seemed to stand still—there was only the sound of breathing and hearts beating.
Bishop Budde had her office to give her access, but she reached out as a fellow traveler to one who wielded the scepter and invited him to follow a nobler, more compassionate way.
We were all becalmed in that moment of grace.
Yes! Thank you!
Thank you, Randy. We all remember the powerful scene when Pilate asked Jesus, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world: To bear witness to Truth.” And Pilate responds, “What is truth?”
Bishop Budde was immersed in a Jesus moment when she addressed Trump (the would-be king). He is so delusionally sure of himself that I doubt it could ever occur to him to ask her the validating question, “What is truth?” The Bishop preached the Jesus message of love and compassion and alas, Trump and Vance could not hear it, are not yet capable of hearing, comprehending, and acting on it.
However, Bishop Budde demonstrated impenetrable strength, conviction, and purpose. Brava and “Amen!” to her. Talk about “walkin’ the talk.” I hope she has inspired “good trouble” in all of us.
The Bishop had courage and spoke the truth, but to HEAR a plea, one must be open and able to listen. “Those that have ears, let them hear” is a phrase in the teachings of Jesus, meaning “pay close attention” or “listen carefully” – essentially a call to actively engage with the message being delivered. What was the main message of Jesus? The command to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength and our neighbor as ourselves. It has been obvious that the person she pled to does not have the acuity or ability an ethical leader needs in the face of overt truth.
I encourage all of your readers to delete their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts and try to use Amazon as little as possible. Stop supporting these oligarchs who want to shut down democracy.
Thanks Ben! Having never used FB, Twitter or Instagram, I can attest to the clarity of your statement… they all seem so full of lies, half truths & propaganda (& scary knowledge of individuals). Using Amazon as little as possible, to avoid supporting another oligarch… for that exact reason.
One of the lucky ones you are 🙂
Thank you for reiterating her words, and his words, here.
That fearless bishop is making good trouble!