How would MAGA Jesus respond to the escalating violence and recent killings of civilians by ICE agents in Minneapolis?

That’s a trick question. There is no such thing as “MAGA Jesus,” or “liberal Jesus,” for that matter. We have only one Jesus, proclaimed in four Gospels and numerous apostolic letters. In all these Scriptures, Jesus consistently preaches and models a Gospel of love, justice, compassion, mercy, care for the poor and oppressed, and respect for human dignity.

You can’t say you love and follow Jesus and NOT uphold and try to practice these values in your life. To “talk the talk” but not “walk the walk” – or intentionally walk in the opposite direction – is hypocrisy, and Jesus had plenty to say about that, also.

Our bishop, the Rt. Rev. Poulson Reed, sent a pastoral letter to all our churches in Oklahoma almost two weeks before the death of Alex Pretti, and his words are worth sharing: “With the tragic events in Minneapolis last week, there have been at least five people who have died in the aftermath of the Trump administration’s escalated immigration enforcement. Tensions and violence are rising all over our country. Our hearts are heavy, and it feels as if things are spiraling out of control… Immigration enforcement escalation in recent months seems designed not to remove dangerous criminals, but rather to create maximum cruelty, fear, dehumanization, and family and community disruption.

“Holy Scripture and the Christian tradition support a nation’s right to secure its borders and maintain an orderly process for immigration. At the same time, the Scriptures make plain that every person, without exception, is beloved, made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), and that we are to respect the dignity of every human being. Immigrants and refugees are specifically lifted up in the Bible as those deserving our respect, our concern, and our help.

Immigrants in Oklahoma, whatever your documentation or legal status, are loved and valued as our friends and neighbors. Law enforcement and immigration officers are also children of God, attempting to do their jobs and follow their orders in agonizing, and sometimes dangerous situations.

It remains my hope that eventually our governmental leaders will come together for bi-partisan, comprehensive immigration reform that protects the vulnerable, secures our borders, and implements a just, safe, and orderly system for immigration.”

He invited us, as I invite you, to take these practical, faithful steps: Pray. Prayer is at the heart of who we are as people of faith. Pray for those affected by these challenges in our communities, especially the vulnerable. Pray for justice and compassion in our nation.

Be in contact with your elected officials.

People of goodwill, across political differences, can join in urging our elected leaders to seek common sense, compassionate solutions to this crisis, balancing security and human dignity. Terror, intimidation, profiling, and violence have no place here.

And be willing to listen to others’ fears and concerns without judgment. Be calm and steadfast in expressing your own values of truthfulness, compassion, and justice.

May our Lord bless those who are living in fear, inspire us in true faith to reach out in friendship to all our neighbors, and raise up compassion and wisdom in our leaders for the good of us all.

Trinity Episcopal Church welcomes all each Sunday at 10am, where you will find a warm congregation, uplifting liturgy, and the good news of God’s radical love shared in word and sacrament. Come be part of a community that stands together in faith and love.