People died. Many more could have died. Weapons, pipe bombs,
and Molotov cocktails were found when the mob retreated. The crowd shouted for
the Vice President to be hanged for not overturning the presidential election. The
same fate awaited the Speaker of the House. A noose was erected on a gallows. A
week later on January 13, President Trump was impeached for “incitement of
insurrection.” That is another day that will live in infamy.
The consequences of his actions on that day will be with us
for a long time. Any hope that Trump might fade from the spotlight after
Inauguration Day seems unlikely. It is possible that the ex-president could
stand trial in federal court. If this happens, his supporters would undoubtedly
respond with more political violence. Violent action has already been planned for
the days leading up to the Inauguration according to the FBI. I expect a sharp
rise in domestic terrorism in 2021.
What word does a pastor speak into this chaos? My first
instinct is to speak a word of peace. God knows we need peace at this time! But
such a word seems disingenuous. In a tumultuous time in the history of ancient Judah,
the biblical prophet Jeremiah spoke against preachers who prematurely spoke
words of peace. He compared it to a person applying a superficial bandage to a
deep wound.
He proclaimed: “They have healed the wound of my people
lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.” I agree with the
prophet. This is not a time to comfort people with words of peace. The wound of
the American people is too deep. This is a time for surgery. The cancer must be
removed before healing can begin.
There is disease at the heart of America. It is rooted in racism and xenophobia. It is expressed as homophobia, misogyny, and Christian nationalism. It is articulated as anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. Its source is fear voiced as hate.
Sadly this disease resides deep in American culture and religion,
including the American church. A religion that should be expressing truth, love
and forgiveness is fueling fear, lies, and hate. The only cure is heartfelt
confession and repentance. Unfortunately I do not see much of it.
This is not a time to speak words of peace. Not yet. As the
chant says, “No Justice, No peace.” During the American Civil War, poet Henry
Wadsworth Longfellow penned the following words, which were put to music and
found in many hymnals today. “And in despair I bowed my head; "There is no
peace on earth," I said; "For hate is strong, and mocks the song of
peace on earth, good-will to men!"
I only hope that one day in the not too distant future we
will be able to sing the final stanza of the hymn: “Then pealed the bells more
loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men."
