and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
The Lord is faithful in all his words and gracious in all his deeds.
The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing.
The Lord is just in all his ways and kind in all his doings.
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Psalm 145: 13-18 NRSVue
Thank God for Episcopal bishop, Mariann Budde. You might remember Budde from her denunciation of President Trump during his first term when he used an Episcopalian centre near the White House as the backdrop for a bizarre moment of theatre During the George Floyd protest Trump had portesters tear-gassed and removed from Lafayette Square, then walked to the centre, surrounded by the military. There he held a bible (upside down it would appear). Budde and other religious leaders were quick to speak out against this unannounced event and the blasphemous use of scripture as a prop for violence.
Yesterday there was a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral with President Trump in attendance. There were speakers from more than a dozen religious traditions during the interfaith service, including those from Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu traditions, although no evangelicals.
Budde, the bishop of Washington, appealed to Trump's better nature and the dignity of his role, well aware that these don't exist. Here is an excerpt from the Washington Post report of the prayer service:
At the inaugural prayer service, the Right Rev. Mariann Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, made a direct appeal to President Donald Trump to have mercy on the LGBTQ+ community and undocumented migrant workers.
Referencing Trump’s belief that he was saved by God from assassination, Budde said, “You have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now.”
The Trump administration has already issued executive orders rolling back transgender rights and toughening immigration policies. When he returned to the White House, Trump was asked about the sermon.
“Not too exciting, was it?” the president said as he walked with staff toward the Oval Office. “I didn’t think it was a good service. They could do much better.”
I so admire Budde's courage in "speaking truth to power", choosing to be a prophetic and unpopular voice (as with other prophets) knowing that the president would not be amused.
Early this morning Trump posted on Truth Social, his untruthful "newspeak" platform calling her a "radical left hard line Trump hater...who is not very good at her job." “She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way." I commented to Ruth yesterday that he would probably label her as nasty, a term he regularly aims toward women who are not manikins or syncophants, misogynist that he is. Sure enough, he added "She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart...”
How did Bishop Budde refrain from whacking the convicted crook with her crook of office?
The psalm portion for yesterday was from Psalm 145 which includes the verses above. Those who have ears to hear, let them hear, Jesus said.
5 comments:
As I watched the Bishop speak, I wondered about her future, her safety, the repercussions of doing the right thing. What will we see happen next?
I applaud her for making those comments, and appealing to the.....President(sorry, I still can't believe this guy got elected AGAIN). Unfortunately, you can't appeal to someone who is narcissistic and only cares about himself.
For the many millions of "average" Americans who think they elected someone who cares about them, they couldn't be more wrong. This man scares me. I feel he's capable of almost anything. And I truly believe, with his enormous ego, that he gets great pleasure out of saying absurd things and seeing the world react.
Meanwhile, my wife and I are booked for a trip to LA at the end of March, and it was booked before the election. When he won, I really wanted to stay out of the US entirely, but I guess at least California was a blue state. I'll take comfort in that.
That's his pattern -- never takes the high road. If someone is critical of his policies or actions he then goes on a binge of insults, demeaning comments about their appearance, job performance and what ever else comes into his mind. I'm sure she knew what was going to come her way --what courage!
I wouldn't be surprised if there were death threats. (And Trump knows that is a strong possibility.) We're only on Day 3 of his second Presidency.......
Her only mistake was in assuming he had a "better nature". I am wondering if this man isn't the Anti - Christ in our hemisphere... well, not wondering, really!
Apparently there have been threats. Will authorities do what is necessary to protect her, we have to wonder? Trump does seem to have the Mark of the Beast, but that may just be his dyed hair and fake tan. Thanks to all of you for these insightful comments, observations, and lamentations. I've also heard from folk who don't respond here but reach out in other ways. We can pray for Bishop Budde's well-being, and for yours in LA, Roger!
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