As I wrote to several friends with whom I've shared this, I was moved by this post and it has made me think a good deal. Of particular importance to us now, I think,, is your comment about the way Christian groups have often allowed a division between "soul" and "body," ceding authority over the body to the nation-state. Not only does this make us complicit, it perverts our understanding of who we are as Christians and human beings. We certainly see this in the ways MAGA "Christians" now define their religion, but everyone who acquiesces and does nothing is failing to act on their baptismal vows and on their calling. My recent trip to Europe underscored this, where there is such a long history of abuse and distortion of the Gospel by the Church and the clergy (some, not all by any means), and at the same time, martyr-saints revered in every city and village for their refusal to deny Christ. I don't know if this hypocrisy can ever be overcome now, but if it is, the challenge will probably come from the grassroots up, and street liturgy is one step in that direction. Thank you for writing this piece.
Beth, I'm so glad you liked it. I agree: putting "soul" and "body" in separate realms--spiritual and political realms respectively--makes us complicit in the nation-states' crimes and weakens our sense of what it means to be fully human. And as for change coming from the grassroots up, yes. Money and power have corrupted Christianity and everything else they touch. (I was reading Mary's Magnificat this morning. She seems to be preparing the way for her son by warning the rich and powerful about justice.) Thank you very much for your thoughts.
As I wrote to several friends with whom I've shared this, I was moved by this post and it has made me think a good deal. Of particular importance to us now, I think,, is your comment about the way Christian groups have often allowed a division between "soul" and "body," ceding authority over the body to the nation-state. Not only does this make us complicit, it perverts our understanding of who we are as Christians and human beings. We certainly see this in the ways MAGA "Christians" now define their religion, but everyone who acquiesces and does nothing is failing to act on their baptismal vows and on their calling. My recent trip to Europe underscored this, where there is such a long history of abuse and distortion of the Gospel by the Church and the clergy (some, not all by any means), and at the same time, martyr-saints revered in every city and village for their refusal to deny Christ. I don't know if this hypocrisy can ever be overcome now, but if it is, the challenge will probably come from the grassroots up, and street liturgy is one step in that direction. Thank you for writing this piece.
Beth, I'm so glad you liked it. I agree: putting "soul" and "body" in separate realms--spiritual and political realms respectively--makes us complicit in the nation-states' crimes and weakens our sense of what it means to be fully human. And as for change coming from the grassroots up, yes. Money and power have corrupted Christianity and everything else they touch. (I was reading Mary's Magnificat this morning. She seems to be preparing the way for her son by warning the rich and powerful about justice.) Thank you very much for your thoughts.