“Then Jesus went into
the temple and threw out all those who were selling and
buying there. He pushed
over the tables used for currency exchange and the
chairs of those who sold
doves. He said to them, ‘It’s written, My house will be called
a house of
prayer. But you’ve made it a hideout for crooks.’”
Matthew 21:12-13 (Common English Bible)
Recently, a
presidential candidate was critical of the pope’s comments on climate change.
The candidate asserts that science should be left in the hands of scientists
and that the pope should focus on theology and morality. What is comical about
his remarks is that, as a Roman Catholic himself, he fails to grasp that caring
for creation and climate change is within the realm of theology and morality.
The Christian tradition is built upon God’s first vocation for us to be
gardeners that protect, care for and sustain God’s good creation.
Certainly,
there isn’t consensus on the topic of climate change nor do I pretend to
resolve that issue here. What is clear from this scripture from Matthew’s
Gospel is that nothing is outside of the realm of God’s concern – climate
change, business and economics, and personal morality – and that the church is
called to speak on every issue that impacts God’s creation and how we treat one
another. It simply cannot be ignored that in this passage, Jesus “concerns
himself” with business and commerce.
There is no
getting away with the fact that much of what harms our earth and creates
economic disparity among people is permitted because God’s people have never
placed the inequity of it all on their conscience. It is fashionable to be
tolerant, some may say. While many would agree that tolerance is a virtue it
should never be confused with apathy or indifference, which is vice. There are
evils in this world that demand for God’s people to speak, “These things should
not be!”
The
responsible exercise of the Christian faith calls for men and women to make it
their business to care for God’s earth and to create a community where people
experience a political and economic climate that is humane and just, sound and
wholesome. Because people differ on how that might be done – thus different
political parties – our behavior toward one another must be exercised with
civility and humility. Nonetheless, the world that God intends requires people
who are sensitive in conscience, discerning of God’s movement and militant in
action.
Joy,
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