January 23, 2025

Prophesy

The Episcopal Church has been in the news again this week. At a post-inauguration prayer service at The Right Reverent Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese of Washington, publicly and clearly took the radical step of asking President Trump to have mercy on people who are scared. In particular, she asked him, in the name of God, to have mercy on persons in the LGBTQ+ community and on immigrants. Her gentle request, spoken respectfully to power, is what prophesy sounds like. It is not shrill or nasty, it does not resort to attacks or tricks, it does not deride or condemn, it offers the truth and offers an opportunity to follow it. I could not be more proud to be an Episcopalian.

Bishop Budde’s words have forced me to think about whether I would have the same strength. The answer, of course is, I will, with God’s help. In the time ahead, I pray that all of us will, with God’s help. Not many of us have the opportunity to look a President in the eye, but all of us have opportunities to ask others in the name of God to have mercy, do justice, and walk humbly. All of us have opportunities to look a friend or acquaintance in the eye and say, “With all respect, I disagree. I think I understand Jesus differently than you do.” Most importantly, all of us have opportunities to offer acceptance, safely, respect, and love to any among us who are frightened.

Prophesy, even gentle, respectful prophesy, is hard. The truth is threatening. In the last few days frightened people have questioned, insulted, and threatened Bishop Budde. A frightened person has called Resurrection and St. Mary’s to share her fear at length and with astonishing vitriol. I am frightened that there will be other reactions in the days ahead. I am comforted, though, to know that Bishop Budde, Resurrection, St. Mary’s and all of us are surrounded by a community of prophets and people who are willing to speak truth to power and to walk with us into dark places, and I pray that, with Bishop Budde’s, our prophesy will be heard by those in power and by all who seek the truth.