‘Haters gonna hate!’

Everyone in my class had left. The prof had packed up too. I sat staring at my notebook for the longest time. When I was 18 or 19 and in college, I needed an elective, so I took an Introductory Religious Studies Class. I walked into the class thinking it would be a piece of cake. Boy was I wrong.

In contrast, I was amazed how much it got me thinking about the role of religion in our lives. I found myself after each class, analyzing what we had discussed and how I felt about it. In the class that had just ended, the prof lectured on the “loaves and fishes” story and its role in the Christian faith. In the story, Jesus takes a few loaves of bread and two fish and miraculously feeds a crowd of more than 5,000. I had heard the story countless times in my youth. I found myself looking at it with fresh eyes.

Something different to everyone

I learned from the class that I care deeply about my faith. I understand though that others have different thoughts and opinions. With that in mind, I’ve been doing some thinking lately.

Christians celebrated Easter this weekend. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is one of the holiest holidays of the Christian year. With everything going on in the U.S. and World, I can’t help but wonder how our society and so-called Christians became so hate-filled.

I see a lot of hypocritical statements on what it means to be a Christian. People pretend to be Christians but their actions don’t match up with their words. They’ve become heart-less. I have the most issues with evangelical preachers like Franklin Graham and Catholic Priests like Bishop Robert Barron who have cozied up to politicians even if it means overlooking policies that go against Christian teaching (caring for and feeding the poor, showing mercy to the downtrodden, emphasizing love over hate, etc.)

Little patience for hypocrisy

Of course, Jesus warned about hypocrisy. He warned of announcing “our charity with trumpets like the hypocrites do.” He also warned of praying loudly in public and making a spectacle out of our fasting. He had no time for such behavior.

He had a simple answer on how to live our lives: “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'” (Matthew 25:40)

I think it’s good time to to remember:

—Thinking of others first. I keep seeing a meme about the Ten Commandments. It makes a lot of sense to me. “If your version of Christianity wants to put the Ten Commandments into schools, but take free lunches out of them, you’re worshiping something other than Jesus.”

—The least of my brothers. In recent weeks, a large number of leaders have been visiting the notorious prison in El Salvador where the U.S. deported 137 Venezuelans. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem took a photo op in front of the prisoners with her gold $50,000 Rolex watch. West Virginia Rep. Riley Moore stopped in front of the prison last week and gave two thumbs up. He looked like he was offering a Yelp review of a Charleston ice cream shop, not standing in front of a prison.

I could write about “due process” and how the U.S. Constitution spells it out for “all people,” but I’ll leave that for another day. I will say this: Yes, I’m sure there are some bad men housed in the prison. However, I think Pope Francis found a better way to make his point when he visited a prison in Rome on Holy Thursday. Thanks to his health he was prevented from performing the traditional foot-washing, so the 88-year-old Pope, his back to the camera, prayed with them. He’s a better Christian than me. Probably most of us. However, Father James Martin asked a question I think very appropriate: Which photo do you think Jesus would prefer? Using the prisoners as a prop for a selfie? Or one of the Pope urging them to seek out God and beg for his forgiveness?

—Judge, lest you be judged. Can you call yourself a Christian and reject the stranger struggling and in need of food, shelter, asylum? “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” Matthew 7:1. The excuse I hear many times: “Have you gone to Walmart or Target and seen [fill in the blank] eating and living high on the hog with their iPhones and jewelry?” When I hear this, I want to ask who made you God?

—The ideals of Christian discipleship. Jesus gave us the beatitudes and we’ve forgotten them. They aren’t some trite sayings, they’re core to our belief.

• “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
• “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
• “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
• “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
• “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
• “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
• “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
• ^“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

I worry that we’ve turned our backs on Jesus’ message. It’s like we’re spoiled children. We listen when we want to listen. We’ve become anti-immigrant; against anyone that doesn’t fit the heterosexual standard; out for ourselves; and focused on wealth and “gotcha politics” instead of faith. Where’s the empathy? Where’s the mercy and forgiveness?

To steal from another meme: Instead of a “Storm The Capitol Christian,” I’d rather be a “Love Your Neighbor Christian.”

We need to figure out where we stand. I hope I stand on the side of love. Peace be with you.