Denise reminds us that they too are broken people created in the image of God. It’s not always easy to remember but it does help… thanks for this powerful reflection, Jake.
"the patterns of our heart can become wolflike"--not so likely for anyone who's been attentive to what you've been teaching (for a long time now) about spirituality!
In the face of an Administration that constantly maligns and lies about immigrants, takes them by force, puts them in detention centres, treats them with great cruelty - then lies that they've even treated them so terribly - it's absolutely imperative that folk speak up on behalf of those so abused. And we *should* be angered by this terrible oppression of mostly-innocent people - after all, detainees *themselves* are going on hunger strike - what ought *we* to be doing who are not at all oppressed like them? We should be able to do so much more!
Jesus was angered repeatedly by the actions of those who withheld compassion (e.g. Pharisees, his own disciples). It's clear that we're not to hate people of course, but it's not wrong to be angry about the profits being made from human suffering (in these oppressive for-profit detention camps). Exposing this is necessarily disruptive and confrontational and if folk are afraid of coming across as "brash" or "scolding" (words you've previously used) they may be reluctant to speak out at all. It would be a terrible shame if suffering detainees are left to struggle on alone with their hunger strikes (when they already have nothing) while we who are free refrain from anything more than a vigil, and quiet social service, in order to guard our hearts from being wolf-like! The pressure to be silent is already intense; the real need is for exposure, for speaking up (out of love for the oppressed and to bring these dark secret things into the light) - as a precursor to real change.
Thank you for the initial compliment, Liz. As for your criticisms of my chosen course, I always listen to the words of a friend as well-intended. Simultaneously, I suggest a couple of things. As I’ve written previously, anger as a natural response to injustice that can be channeled into righteous indignation and right action is good. What is more accurately called rage is spiritually unhealthy and destructive. Jesus exemplified the former. Not the latter. And just for the record, “brashness” is a translation of the Greek word thrasytes that Aristotle used to describe a vice, a habitual excess that misses the virtue courage (see my latest book). We will continue with vigils, visiting the detained, seeking legal representation for them, speaking in public forums, and connecting detainees to their families. Others must do as they feel called and equipped.
BTW I looked at Full-Hearted Life (Chapter Seven, various parts from Channeling Our Anger to end-of-chapter). This stood out for me:
"As it turns out, plenty of people will perceive peacemakers as troublemakers, as bearing a sword. That’s because making peace begins with identifying and dismantling the toxic, dehumanizing, destructive patterns in our individual lives and in our common lives." ~Bishop Jake
So, I'll confess here, I'm a tad grumpy about you taking issue with Jeremiah's approach, because, no policing of one's tone mitigates the vicious response from empire to *any* resistance. Bishop Budde's sermon comes to mind! (I don't of course endorse rage).
And Carter Heyward about Romero:
"In 1980, shortly before he was assassinated at the altar in San Salvador’s Catholic Cathedral, Archbishop Oscar Romero preached publicly, “When I feed the hungry, people call me a saint; when I ask why people are hungry, they call me a communist.” That statement may have marked Romero for death by conservative political operatives in El Salvador and their allies among U.S. powerbrokers. Because this is the subversive power unleashed when Christian leaders publicly ask provocative questions that move neighbor-love not out of -- but beyond -- the realm of pastoral care into the prophetic landscape in which we call for justice to roll down like waters."
If you would like to understand my methodology, it might be helpful to read Plato’s Euthyphro and then perhaps the Apology. Spoiler alert, the aim is to bring someone to see the contradictions of their own unexamined assumptions for themselves. That involves finding a way to invite them into critical self-reflection. No small feat. Simply pointing out that their actions are wrong given your alternative view of the good and the just rarely works. They already assume that they’re right. For instance, Socrates did not simply say to Euthyphro “you’re right” or “you’re wrong.” He asked, “Is what you’re doing good because the gods love it or do the gods love it because it is good?” In other words, he invited to think about his most basic assumptions about right and wrong, just and unjust. This momentarily stopped E- in his tracks. BTW, Athens famously executed Socrates for this sort of thing.
On another note, it’s fine to be grumpy with me. Alas, you’ll have to get in line. For all sorts of things actually.
I might read Plato?! It wouldn't have occurred to me to even try. Thank you. I'll fossick around and look at what's online, perhaps a video, just to dip my toe in the water.
Fossick? That one you've got to explain. Also, I hope you're not suggesting that Plato would be any more of a challenge for you that it is for me. We both know what you've been reading and digesting.
How interesting! Fossick = "primarily used in Australian and New Zealand English" = I'm truly alien to you folk in the US! It has two meanings, both meaningful for me. 1. to rummage or poke about for something 2. gold/gemstone fossicking, especially folk who work old gold areas, or rivers, using things like a pan, shovel, sluice box or metal detector, etc. The vibe is casual. If I'm out walking in Central Otago, which was a hive of activity in the 1860s goldrushes, chances are I'll see people out there "fossicking" even now. Some areas anyone can fossick and others, more serious, have a license to work a particular area. So when I say I'll fossick around I'm saying I'm interested and I'll enjoy spending a bit of time seeing what surfaces in my search results :) And dammit, you've made me smile with your generosity re my reading/digesting - how encouraging you are (blush!) I'm grateful!
I'm convicted by Ms Liz's sentence, "Exposing this is necessarily disruptive and confrontational and if folk are afraid of coming across as "brash" or "scolding" ...they may be reluctant to speak out at all," and very much appreciate your zeroing in to distinguish between anger and rage. I'll look back at Full-Hearted Life to read more about thrasytes. Courage must be the difference. It is a fine line, and I welcome more exploration of this, or to know where you've already explored it. Thank you for all of this, Bishop Jake.
I'm sorry for coming across more critical than I meant to, my bad. But the thoughts were well-intended, yes. My chief concern is how bad things have got for detainees and the degree of apathy and apparent ignorance of their plight by many Americans. I can't bear to think of it getting any worse - what's happening is already devastating.
To borrow briefly from Carter Heyward in her Hobart Lecture 2024, "...when the issue of power is not addressed, when we remain silent about how power is being abused, the abusive power stays in place."
I'm afraid for migrant families and children. I fear things may get even worse. And I fear that Americans don't understand the truth about it, and won't factor this into how they vote - simply because they don't understand. I hope it comes to an end sooner rather than later. There will be a burden of shame once the truth is known about what has been done to these folk.
There are times I feel that I must be odd because I do not see the point in condemning a whole country or a whole race of people because some of them are bad or evil minded people. I feel most people are good people even if they are misguided and follow an evil leader.
We are supposed to be an interesting combination of sheep, serpents, and doves. And the playing field is not level for us to navigate those three either.
. Nazis loved their own families. Probably played with puppies took their dogs for a walks. Went to the store. And yet inflicted a horror that is so horrific that some people to this day refuse to acknowledge that humans indeed are capable of that and did that.
And seemingly good people could turn in their neighbors who committed no crime other than the one the Nazis said —-and that was one of existence.
We inflict unimaginable cruelty on each other for completely asinine reasons (not that there’s ever a good reason for cruelty, unimaginable or imaginable for that matter).
I wonder how we are supposed to come to terms with a God who is seemingly indifferent. When I think of all of the things that Jesus did….. Walked on water. Raised the dead. Healed the sick. And yet it “only“ took three hours on the cross to ask God why has he (Jesus) been forsaken?
I do wonder what the world would look like with a level playing field. And I wonder how God could presume to judge us at its current state. To be sure, there is a significant number of things that is squarely in the hands of us to recognize and do or not do.
But not everyone has the access. And that’s not on humanity.
To be clear, we need to do what we can do. But there are things we did not cause, and when it comes to navigating that fact, along with being sheep, serpent, and doves… I think God expects more than God gave us resources to do.
Hi Renee! As usual, you raise the big stuff. And of course there’s no way I can adequately lay out my thoughts in such a short space. So I’ll start with a shameless plug for my reflections on the Holocaust in Looking for God in Messy Places and the section on wisdom in A Full-Hearted Life. I know you’re familiar with these. Like I said, shameless plug. That aside, here are a couple of thoughts. That terrible things happen does not suggest God’s indifference to me (see those two books…). As you know, Jesus suggests precisely the opposite in my view. But to be clear, I don’t think of Jesus as God’s plan B for dealing with the mess of creation. I say more about that in yet another book that I’ll refrain from plugging, but suffice it to say that my Christology Franciscan on the lines of John Duns Scotus. The Incarnation was the first thought of creation. And as for judgment, well, we’ll talk more about that at a later date. Maybe after next week’s post drops. In the meantime, be well friend.
Ha! I discuss the Incarnation in A Resurrection Shaped Life in a section called Changing our Minds. I have discussed John Duns Scotus elsewhere, but I wouldn't worry about that
Ha! I knew that was the one ! (Well maybe because coincidentally I happen to be in the middle of it 😉😉). And the “trailer” you left for next week is intriguing for sure :-) take care and till next time 😊
Thanks, s!r...this is of much interest to my family and me. My children have 14 relatives that were put to death in the gas chambers...One who survived it - for many reasons - b ecame Minister of Science in Austrian Parliament: Hertha Firnberg...daughter of J0sef Firnberg, physician.
Inviting contemplation is one of the main things I try to do with these posts, Ruth. Thanks for that encouragement. And thanks for being a regular at the Woodlands!
As you’ve stated, this scapegoating approach in which a “common enemy” is identified to rally the people has been used for centuries. Consider the Cold War, in which Americans were taught to fear ALL Russians or Communists. Even as a child, I wondered how ALL of a country could be bad people. Of course, it isn’t. It is so important to strive for justice and compassion in how we see others… and to resist the temptation to label ANYONE or any group as entirely evil.
Your family story is a powerful one. I've almost always been able to see everyone as someone loved by God, but in this moment in our own history I am finding it more difficult than ever. So thank you for asking the question.
Denise reminds us that they too are broken people created in the image of God. It’s not always easy to remember but it does help… thanks for this powerful reflection, Jake.
Thanks Michael!
"the patterns of our heart can become wolflike"--not so likely for anyone who's been attentive to what you've been teaching (for a long time now) about spirituality!
In the face of an Administration that constantly maligns and lies about immigrants, takes them by force, puts them in detention centres, treats them with great cruelty - then lies that they've even treated them so terribly - it's absolutely imperative that folk speak up on behalf of those so abused. And we *should* be angered by this terrible oppression of mostly-innocent people - after all, detainees *themselves* are going on hunger strike - what ought *we* to be doing who are not at all oppressed like them? We should be able to do so much more!
Jesus was angered repeatedly by the actions of those who withheld compassion (e.g. Pharisees, his own disciples). It's clear that we're not to hate people of course, but it's not wrong to be angry about the profits being made from human suffering (in these oppressive for-profit detention camps). Exposing this is necessarily disruptive and confrontational and if folk are afraid of coming across as "brash" or "scolding" (words you've previously used) they may be reluctant to speak out at all. It would be a terrible shame if suffering detainees are left to struggle on alone with their hunger strikes (when they already have nothing) while we who are free refrain from anything more than a vigil, and quiet social service, in order to guard our hearts from being wolf-like! The pressure to be silent is already intense; the real need is for exposure, for speaking up (out of love for the oppressed and to bring these dark secret things into the light) - as a precursor to real change.
Thank you for the initial compliment, Liz. As for your criticisms of my chosen course, I always listen to the words of a friend as well-intended. Simultaneously, I suggest a couple of things. As I’ve written previously, anger as a natural response to injustice that can be channeled into righteous indignation and right action is good. What is more accurately called rage is spiritually unhealthy and destructive. Jesus exemplified the former. Not the latter. And just for the record, “brashness” is a translation of the Greek word thrasytes that Aristotle used to describe a vice, a habitual excess that misses the virtue courage (see my latest book). We will continue with vigils, visiting the detained, seeking legal representation for them, speaking in public forums, and connecting detainees to their families. Others must do as they feel called and equipped.
BTW I looked at Full-Hearted Life (Chapter Seven, various parts from Channeling Our Anger to end-of-chapter). This stood out for me:
"As it turns out, plenty of people will perceive peacemakers as troublemakers, as bearing a sword. That’s because making peace begins with identifying and dismantling the toxic, dehumanizing, destructive patterns in our individual lives and in our common lives." ~Bishop Jake
So, I'll confess here, I'm a tad grumpy about you taking issue with Jeremiah's approach, because, no policing of one's tone mitigates the vicious response from empire to *any* resistance. Bishop Budde's sermon comes to mind! (I don't of course endorse rage).
And Carter Heyward about Romero:
"In 1980, shortly before he was assassinated at the altar in San Salvador’s Catholic Cathedral, Archbishop Oscar Romero preached publicly, “When I feed the hungry, people call me a saint; when I ask why people are hungry, they call me a communist.” That statement may have marked Romero for death by conservative political operatives in El Salvador and their allies among U.S. powerbrokers. Because this is the subversive power unleashed when Christian leaders publicly ask provocative questions that move neighbor-love not out of -- but beyond -- the realm of pastoral care into the prophetic landscape in which we call for justice to roll down like waters."
If you would like to understand my methodology, it might be helpful to read Plato’s Euthyphro and then perhaps the Apology. Spoiler alert, the aim is to bring someone to see the contradictions of their own unexamined assumptions for themselves. That involves finding a way to invite them into critical self-reflection. No small feat. Simply pointing out that their actions are wrong given your alternative view of the good and the just rarely works. They already assume that they’re right. For instance, Socrates did not simply say to Euthyphro “you’re right” or “you’re wrong.” He asked, “Is what you’re doing good because the gods love it or do the gods love it because it is good?” In other words, he invited to think about his most basic assumptions about right and wrong, just and unjust. This momentarily stopped E- in his tracks. BTW, Athens famously executed Socrates for this sort of thing.
On another note, it’s fine to be grumpy with me. Alas, you’ll have to get in line. For all sorts of things actually.
I might read Plato?! It wouldn't have occurred to me to even try. Thank you. I'll fossick around and look at what's online, perhaps a video, just to dip my toe in the water.
Fossick? That one you've got to explain. Also, I hope you're not suggesting that Plato would be any more of a challenge for you that it is for me. We both know what you've been reading and digesting.
How interesting! Fossick = "primarily used in Australian and New Zealand English" = I'm truly alien to you folk in the US! It has two meanings, both meaningful for me. 1. to rummage or poke about for something 2. gold/gemstone fossicking, especially folk who work old gold areas, or rivers, using things like a pan, shovel, sluice box or metal detector, etc. The vibe is casual. If I'm out walking in Central Otago, which was a hive of activity in the 1860s goldrushes, chances are I'll see people out there "fossicking" even now. Some areas anyone can fossick and others, more serious, have a license to work a particular area. So when I say I'll fossick around I'm saying I'm interested and I'll enjoy spending a bit of time seeing what surfaces in my search results :) And dammit, you've made me smile with your generosity re my reading/digesting - how encouraging you are (blush!) I'm grateful!
I'm convicted by Ms Liz's sentence, "Exposing this is necessarily disruptive and confrontational and if folk are afraid of coming across as "brash" or "scolding" ...they may be reluctant to speak out at all," and very much appreciate your zeroing in to distinguish between anger and rage. I'll look back at Full-Hearted Life to read more about thrasytes. Courage must be the difference. It is a fine line, and I welcome more exploration of this, or to know where you've already explored it. Thank you for all of this, Bishop Jake.
I discuss courage as the Golden Mean between extremes of brashness and cowardice in a sermon preached at a diaconal ordination called Speaking Up. Here's the link: https://jakeowensby.substack.com/p/speaking-up?r=15eh51
Sorry I'd missed this one before. Thank you!
I'm sorry for coming across more critical than I meant to, my bad. But the thoughts were well-intended, yes. My chief concern is how bad things have got for detainees and the degree of apathy and apparent ignorance of their plight by many Americans. I can't bear to think of it getting any worse - what's happening is already devastating.
To borrow briefly from Carter Heyward in her Hobart Lecture 2024, "...when the issue of power is not addressed, when we remain silent about how power is being abused, the abusive power stays in place."
I'm afraid for migrant families and children. I fear things may get even worse. And I fear that Americans don't understand the truth about it, and won't factor this into how they vote - simply because they don't understand. I hope it comes to an end sooner rather than later. There will be a burden of shame once the truth is known about what has been done to these folk.
There are times I feel that I must be odd because I do not see the point in condemning a whole country or a whole race of people because some of them are bad or evil minded people. I feel most people are good people even if they are misguided and follow an evil leader.
That’s not odd, Aussie Jo. It’s just trying to spread grace.
We are supposed to be an interesting combination of sheep, serpents, and doves. And the playing field is not level for us to navigate those three either.
. Nazis loved their own families. Probably played with puppies took their dogs for a walks. Went to the store. And yet inflicted a horror that is so horrific that some people to this day refuse to acknowledge that humans indeed are capable of that and did that.
And seemingly good people could turn in their neighbors who committed no crime other than the one the Nazis said —-and that was one of existence.
We inflict unimaginable cruelty on each other for completely asinine reasons (not that there’s ever a good reason for cruelty, unimaginable or imaginable for that matter).
I wonder how we are supposed to come to terms with a God who is seemingly indifferent. When I think of all of the things that Jesus did….. Walked on water. Raised the dead. Healed the sick. And yet it “only“ took three hours on the cross to ask God why has he (Jesus) been forsaken?
I do wonder what the world would look like with a level playing field. And I wonder how God could presume to judge us at its current state. To be sure, there is a significant number of things that is squarely in the hands of us to recognize and do or not do.
But not everyone has the access. And that’s not on humanity.
To be clear, we need to do what we can do. But there are things we did not cause, and when it comes to navigating that fact, along with being sheep, serpent, and doves… I think God expects more than God gave us resources to do.
Hi Renee! As usual, you raise the big stuff. And of course there’s no way I can adequately lay out my thoughts in such a short space. So I’ll start with a shameless plug for my reflections on the Holocaust in Looking for God in Messy Places and the section on wisdom in A Full-Hearted Life. I know you’re familiar with these. Like I said, shameless plug. That aside, here are a couple of thoughts. That terrible things happen does not suggest God’s indifference to me (see those two books…). As you know, Jesus suggests precisely the opposite in my view. But to be clear, I don’t think of Jesus as God’s plan B for dealing with the mess of creation. I say more about that in yet another book that I’ll refrain from plugging, but suffice it to say that my Christology Franciscan on the lines of John Duns Scotus. The Incarnation was the first thought of creation. And as for judgment, well, we’ll talk more about that at a later date. Maybe after next week’s post drops. In the meantime, be well friend.
If I ask you for the name of the other book, you won't be plugging, will you? Will you tell me the name? :)
Ha! I discuss the Incarnation in A Resurrection Shaped Life in a section called Changing our Minds. I have discussed John Duns Scotus elsewhere, but I wouldn't worry about that
Ha! I knew that was the one ! (Well maybe because coincidentally I happen to be in the middle of it 😉😉). And the “trailer” you left for next week is intriguing for sure :-) take care and till next time 😊
Thanks, s!r...this is of much interest to my family and me. My children have 14 relatives that were put to death in the gas chambers...One who survived it - for many reasons - b ecame Minister of Science in Austrian Parliament: Hertha Firnberg...daughter of J0sef Firnberg, physician.
Mary Kathryn, this is a heartbreaking connection we share. Nevertheless, I’m grateful for the connection. Blessings to you and yours
“There is a far greater danger.” So much here to clarify and contemplate in my own life circumstances. Thank you.
Inviting contemplation is one of the main things I try to do with these posts, Ruth. Thanks for that encouragement. And thanks for being a regular at the Woodlands!
As you’ve stated, this scapegoating approach in which a “common enemy” is identified to rally the people has been used for centuries. Consider the Cold War, in which Americans were taught to fear ALL Russians or Communists. Even as a child, I wondered how ALL of a country could be bad people. Of course, it isn’t. It is so important to strive for justice and compassion in how we see others… and to resist the temptation to label ANYONE or any group as entirely evil.
It really is a persistent struggle and temptation, Korie! In some ages we seem more in its grip than others.
I would like to think we are evolving… prayerfully.
“we do not look for an enemy to destroy. We look for a wound to heal”. Amen
It’s our holy aspiration. And I’m grateful that God responds with mercy to our inability to live up to it fully. Blessings Smith!
Another holy aspiration, a new one after re-reading this today, and one that will haunt me: antisocial element.
Your family story is a powerful one. I've almost always been able to see everyone as someone loved by God, but in this moment in our own history I am finding it more difficult than ever. So thank you for asking the question.
Thank you, Robin. I think most of us are having that struggle especially these days.