In the wake of such dehumanizing violence revealing a much deeper systemic evil in our country, it’s been disturbing to witness (yet again) the way we so quickly descend into juvenile name-calling and partisan posturing. We don’t honor the pain of the victims, we perpetuate the violence.
The divides widen.
Stereotypes about the “other” are affirmed.
The “enemy” is no longer the individuals and systems that produce dead kids in our schools, but our friend/family member on other side of an issue.
There is no doubt change is needed. Both to reduce domestic terror and learn how to have a conversation with someone we disagree with.
Many of us who came out of the evangelical tradition aren’t real familiar with the spiritual practice/season of Lent. Lent is a season that prepares us to celebrate and participate in both the death and the resurrection. It is a practice of confronting and releasing the stuff that keeps us from our cross-shaped calling (power, control, safety and violence) and prepares us to take on the way of the cross (sacrifice, relentless trust and uncompromising nonviolence).
When many are more concerned about upholding the rights found in the second amendment than practicing Jesus’ second commandment to love our neighbor, it may be a sign of our collective need to interrogate our understanding of the gospel (good news) as was taught and embodied in Jesus.
When many are more concerned about being “right” than being love, it may be a sign of our collective need to confront judgement, arrogance and self inflated ideals. How we say something is sometimes as important as what we say. Shame doesn’t change minds.
As we begin the journey of lent, let’s take seriously Thomas Merton’s invitation to “disarm the violence within so we can participate in disarming our world.” May our collective disarmament be a living witness of Good News in our violent (in so many ways) world.
About the Author:
Jon Huckins is the Co-founding Director of The Global Immersion Project. More of his reflections and writings can be found on his website.