Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde gave a tremendous and tremendously courageous homily yesterday. My Scripture class is beginning the book of Acts tomorrow and something we will see again and again is the need for this kind of courage by those who understand that Jesus is NOW the Lord of this world in light of his resurrection and ascension. Acts reminded early Christians and us as well of the question, "What happens when the gospel comes to Rome with their deified emperors and announces a new king, Jesus?" What we have seen in the last two days is this same question worked out in the homily of an Episcopal Bishop and the responses of many who were offended by that homily.
Bishop Budde did this gently, and clearly. She reminded us about the foundations of Christian (and authentically human) unity, including, 1) honoring the inherent dignity of every person, 2) costly honesty both in private and in public, and 3) humility -- an approach to self and reality motivated by love and honesty. And then she made a direct plea for mercy for so many who were now frightened for their lives in one way and another --- a mercy every person who aspires to image Christ is called to live and offer to those they meet. All of this helps us to build on rock rather than sand, Budde reminded us. And, as the Acts of the Apostles proclaims, Jesus' rule can look very different from that of the rulers of this world and his gospel is often a scandal to them.
Thus, as a believer and theologian, what I heard was a really excellent (and essentially non-politicized) homily of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that our Nation and certainly, our new President (or anyone exercising power in this world!) needed to hear at this point in time.
This is what it means to be a contemporary prophet in our often leaderless and uninspired world; it is the kind of thing that got Jesus crucified and still gets authentic Apostles martyred. In Acts of the Apostles (and other NT writings as well) this is the fruit of Jesus' ascension and Pentecost that goes by the word parrhesia, a particularly powerful and spirit-grounded boldness of speech. As I told my sister, "Cindy, In my world, Bishop Mariann Budde is a rockstar!!" Though not particularly religious in any formal way, she listened to the entire homily and later replied, "Laurel, in my world she is also a rockstar!!" Deo Gratias!!
I extend my thanks and prayerful support to Bishop Budde most especially for revealing the place of authentic Christian leadership in this world on behalf of the Kingdom of God. She knows what it means for politicians to use her church as a backdrop for power plays, photo ops, and false appeals to the Bible. Yesterday she showed us what it means for the Church to truly represent the Gospel of Jesus Christ without empty Bible Thumping or political (or pious!) posturing! Again, thanks be to God!!
*Diocese of Washington DC
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