Now I Better Understand the Uncomfortable Title of My Most Recent Book

I am always amazed at the parallels between my daily scripture reading and what seems to be happening around me. Sometimes I read multiple chapters in one morning, other days only portions of one, yet the timing of my takeaways often eerily aligned with my journey.

This morning Chapter 22 of Acts, Lukes writings about the travels of Paul.

At least three different schools of thought seem driving the chaos captured:

As always, the political power brokers who control the land; second, the institutionalized religious zealots, of necessity aligned with those most political, though boasting of alignment with the heavens, themselves powerless apart from freedom provided by such alignment; finally, those following the way of Christ, which no longer aligns with either.

The latter no longer bound by religion or politics, yet professing a "dual" citizenship, as well as proven mentorship and study among those honored by both the institutions of religion and government.

They have now become a problem that demands remedy.

It seems as I read, that Judaism with its practices of sacrifice and temple worship was first designed only to foreshadow a day when righteousness and justice for all would spring forth from a spiritual metanoia, yet had now become simply hardcore legalism.

Such blindness was then easily manipulated by the powerful in order that those most dedicated to religious laws might freely practice, as long as no attempt was made to interfere with the power base and likely the economics of those privileged by it.

The problem was this new sect, one that had emerged after the crucifixion of a man named Jesus. The "people of the Way" no longer valued political or religious alignment but rather living out Micah's prescription of " do justice, love mercy, walk humbly." All that was compounded by a willingness to give their own lives if necessary, in order to share their life changing discovery of such freedom of thought!

In our nation today, we seem to have a curious amalgam of all three.

Arrogant political leaders, who at least in my lifetime, would have never been acceptable as role models. Themselves openly manipulative if necessary, in order to persuade others of their nationalistic bent, though likley representative more of an elite economic population than the general majority they profess to care for.

Its "their way or the highway," without regard for maintaining a "more perfect union", as once was the case for our USA, a refuge for those who found their way to Ellis Island, passing the great statue gifted by France, applauding such virtues.

So, here we are again with an uber-religious, partisanship, blinding us to the madness of such aforementioned egotistical politicians.

Even exposing a surreal cancerous hunger of self-righteousness by way of monitoring the means of death for those guilty. Two glaring situations almost providential, in that they expose the deep delusion at hand, first a botched lethal injection and now a firing squad made for TV!

The religious response similar to Paul's day:“The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live!””

By no means the words one might imagine coming from the mouth of the One they profess to follow, Jesus of Nazareth!

What in God's name, literally is going on in America?

Yes, I am beginning to better understand the reason behind my latest book, though the title was uncomfortable at first.