One of the gifts of this church is the Revised Common Lectionary. From a practical standpoint, it makes it easy to plan our worship life together. There is also something steadying and comforting about having a predictable rhythm to the church year, especially in a world that can feel chaotic.
That familiarity can also be a double-edged sword. We may think we have heard it all before, or we know what any given text is saying, and not think as deeply about it. But, because Christ is the Living Word, always with us and for us, we have an invitation to look at even the most familiar texts with fresh eyes. In this way, Scripture readings can be a source of guidance and inspiration in the work of advocacy.
As an example, we can look to the Gospel text for October 20, which comes from Mark 10.
James and John have a request for Jesus: they want to be given positions of power and influence in the coming kingdom. They wish to be elevated above the other disciples – no wonder those disciples express anger at James and John!
This kind of thinking is exhibited today, as well. It can even become dangerous, as in the case of Christian nationalism. This is an ideology that holds that “Christianity should enjoy a privileged position in the public square.” Christian nationalists believe that they and others who believe as they do should be elevated above others in American culture and society, that they should be the ones who decide who is truly counted and supported in this country. Christian nationalist themes and slogans were prominent at the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. 3 in 10 Americans are considered either Adherents or Sympathizers.
The Episcopal Church has already recognized Christian nationalism as an urgent danger that must be addressed. While James and John are not Christian nationalists, their request gets to the heart of what modern Christian nationalists believe. Jesus’s response can give guidance as to how we, too, can react to this ideology.
Jesus’s response is to point out the true meaning of following Him. He asks if James and John are able to “drink the cup that I drink,” a reference to the coming crucifixion. Following Jesus can be dangerous. It involves standing up to the earthly powers that be when their actions are not in line with God’s love and justice, which can make one a target of those powers. Jesus also says that “whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.” Serving others, not being served, is the meaning of following Christ. This is a spirit of humility and love, not of striving for the primacy of place. Jesus recognizes that this is a contrast to the ways of the world around them. He acknowledges that “those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them” and act in tyrannical ways.
It is sobering to realize that “Christian nationalists are about twice as likely as other Americans to believe political violence may be justified,” according to PRRI research. As we approach the election and as we begin to think about how we can live out our faith in the months to follow, Jesus’s words can be a guide. Like Him, we can model the servanthood style of faith and life and not the power-grabbing style that so many in our society, as in Jesus’s time, cling to. We can advocate for expanding the reach of the forces of inclusion in society over the restriction of rights and benefits. The Revised Common Lectionary and the scripture readings it contains offer a steady drumbeat that we can hear and follow, letting it guide our steps and our witness.
Emily DeMarco, Advocacy Intern