Advent is about a coming. For believers that means we are awaiting and working toward the coming of the Prince of Peace who announces the Good News of a new kind of kingdom.
This reign is oriented to the dignity of the poor and dispossessed and to the priority of Joy and Justice over control, authoritarianism and injustice.
To the USCCB I ask: Why not talk about that instead of how to control women’s bodies? (And thereby getting Donald Trump re-elected?)
Further questions to pose to the Bishop’s Conference include the following:
Why not prioritize bills reinstating post-Jim Crow voting laws that the martyred Dr. King died for, and the Supreme Court (under the impetus of opus-dei-appointed-judges) dismantled?
How is your Bishops Conference, choosing to push the control of women’s’ bodies as issue # 1 in a presidential election year, different from Father Coughlin’s promulgation of fascism of the 1930’s?
Do you want to contribute to sustaining our democracy or not? How can you contribute to preventing the destruction of democracy as planned by Donald Trump and his henchmen?*
Donald Trump has made very clear the kind of “kingdom” he has in mind. Vengeance and hatred and disregard for the rule of law and calling opponents “vermin” and past actions tell us. What is your opinion on the insurrections of January 6?
What is your stance on tax breaks for billionaires?
What about health care for the poor? Trump says he will end Obamacare which is currently assisting 40 million people. Why is that not priority #1 for you?
Trump admires Putin who is now waging an illegal and immoral war in Ukraine. Why do you seek to contribute to the election of a person who seeks to replace democracy with authoritarianism?
How can we improve our ailing democracies so that justice and participation are priority number one?
The kingdom of Trump seems quite different from the kind of “kingdom” that Jesus pronounces about. Or am I missing something?
First image: “A photo that speaks for itself.” Photo by Tom Parsons on Unsplash
See Matthew Fox, Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth.
And Fox, Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul & Society.
And Fox, A New Reformation: Creation Spirituality and the Transformation of Christianity.
Banner image: “Prince of Peace.” A statue of Jesus watching over a parking lot outside a church. Photo by SHYCITYNikon on Flickr.
Queries for Contemplation
Which of these questions for the USCCB seem most important to you? What others would you add?
Recommended Reading
Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth
Fox’s spirituality weds the healing and liberation found in North American Creation Spirituality and in South American Liberation Theology. Creation Spirituality challenges readers of every religious and political persuasion to unite in a new vision through which we learn to honor the earth and the people who inhabit it as the gift of a good and just Creator.
“A watershed theological work that offers a common ground for religious seekers and activists of all stripes.” — Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice.
Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society
Visionary theologian and best-selling author Matthew Fox offers a new theology of evil that fundamentally changes the traditional perception of good and evil and points the way to a more enlightened treatment of ourselves, one another, and all of nature. In comparing the Eastern tradition of the 7 chakras to the Western tradition of the 7 capital sins, Fox allows us to think creatively about our capacity for personal and institutional evil and what we can do about them.
“A scholarly masterpiece embodying a better vision and depth of perception far beyond the grasp of any one single science. A breath-taking analysis.” — Diarmuid O’Murchu, author of Quantum Theology: Spiritual Implications of the New Physics
A New Reformation: Creation Spirituality & The Transformation of Christianity
A modern-day theologian’s call for the radical transformation of Christianity that will allow us to move once again from the hollow trappings of organized religion to genuine spirituality. A New Reformation echoes the Reformation initiated by Martin Luther in 1517 and offers a new vision of Christianity that values the Earth, honors the feminine, and respects science and deep ecumenism.
“This is a deep and forceful book….With prophetic insight, Matthew Fox reveals what has corrupted religion in the West and the therapy for its healing.” ~Bruce Chilton, author of Rabbi Jesus: An Intimate Biography
6 thoughts on “Further Questions for USCCB in Advent & Presidential Election Season”
Why not Kindom instead of Kingdom??. Christ the kin….we are all kin ,the animals the trees the human etc.
You are kin.
Thanks Theresa.
Words are powerful.
Changing kingdom to ‘kindom’ is a very promising start.
How long will it take to get this word onto T-shirts and into a dictionary?
Meanwhile we should spread the new Word.
Thank you Matthew for being the spokesperson for all your daily prophetic voice meditations. I am not an American but am shocked what is happening, especially in the USA, a land of freedom.
What hope can we have for Israel and Oekraïne…..!?
Thank you I am grateful for your daily presence.
I would like to recommend two sections related to yesterday’s and today’s themes on the Christian church, Democracy, and fascism/authoritarianism in America and around the world:
1) First, the thoughtful Comments at the end of yesterday’s DM.
2) The book “Presequel” by Rachel Maddow; and the interview on YouTube about Rachel and her recent book by the historian Kathleen Belew 2mo. ago at the “Chicago Humanities Festival.” It’s lengthy but very worthwhile.
We also need to speak out against Biden and the Democrats even if we vote for them because there is no other option who can win. Biden has helped Israel all along, unwilling to call out genocide, give them an extra 11 billion to continue their slaughter and genocide. I will vote against Trump because he and the repute fascist but Biden is depressing to say the least.we should work for better options
I don’t think that the bishops are interested in any questions but how can they consolidate and increase their considerable power? It is good and useful for people to keep trying to bring them to account, and I honor their efforts from within and from without the Roman Catholic Church. Matthew and other prophets and spiritual warriors will continue their efforts. But I think that the only real answer is to love the hell out of them, literally, as the Rev. Dr. Jacqi Lewis says.