I have had enough! For forty years, I have served the Lord, taught Sunday school, baked casseroles for the bereaved, and endured church committee meetings that lasted longer than most tent revival services. But lately, I suspect that some fellow Babatists have misplaced Jesus.
And I don’t mean misplacing the Bible. They have plenty of Bibles. Some of the brethren own six, including one embossed in genuine leather and another large enough to stun a Methodist.
No, It’s Jesus they seem to have lost.
I recently heard a pastor explaining why Jesus would have supported tax cuts for billionaires, deportations for strangers, and a government policy of loving thy neighbor only if thy neighbor voted Republican. I’m getting riled up! And don’t get me started on witnessing live executions of criminals. That happened to Christ 2000 years ago. We need to move on!
I know in my heart that our Lord and Savior said plenty about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, welcoming strangers, and caring for the poor. But I have YET to find a translation of the Bible where we are told to build a golden tower, insult immigrants, and call everybody who’s different a communist.
Let me turn to scripture. Jesus healed the sick. Some pastors want to argue about whether they deserve insurance. Jesus welcomed the outcasts. Nationalists want to check their paperwork.
I suggest these misguided Pharisees close their eyes and imagine that Jesus has returned to Earth. Imagine He arrived at the border. Imagine He showed up at a homeless shelter. Imagine He visited a prison, a hospital, or a family that had lost everything. I hardly think He’d ask to see their party registration.
Brothers and Sisters, some churches have mistaken Christianity for a political action committee with a choir.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m headed out into the world to do the one thing that has apparently become the most controversial act in American Christianity…….loving people who can’t do a single thing for me in return.
Of course, I still judge people a little. I AM a Babatist.
Sister Helen Holy is a member of the First Southern Fried Self-Satisfied Babatist Church. As a Babatist, it is her duty to point out how she is better than all others, whether it be based on religion, ethnicity, country of origin, or God forbid, sexual orientation. Her ministry of Satire touches all who hear her. She hopes to be touching YOU soon.