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One has to wonder what is going on in our Nation’s armed forces leadership, which includes the Coast Guard, which is actually under DHS. The former head, Adm. Linda Pagan, was fired because if her “excessive focus” on diversity initiatives. Her replacement, Kevin Lunday has run into trouble because he has moved images and tattoos of Swastikas and nooses from the status of “symbols of hate” to “potentially divisive,” sort of like Confederate flags.
Not to be outdone, Hegseth’s Christmas service, one of a series of worship services held at the Pentagon, featured Franklin Graham, who used images of God from the Old Testament as a God of hate, destroying all enemies, including “nursing babies,” as Saul was commanded in 1 Samuel to do, a passage used by European settlers to destroy Native Americans. Well, so much for the Prince of Peace.
How is it that we can respond to such perversion of our ideals as a Nation, as a society? It’s clear something is really wrong when a Swastika or noose or hate-filled sermons are not just tolerated, but accepted. As Christians, we are supposed to be committed to the establishment of God’s realm of justice and peace, but instead we witness something totally different and frightening.
Prayer for the Day
This is supposed to be a season of peace and joy, O God,
But the news we see and read tells us of war and death;
We want to forget the images of wounded children and mothers,
But then we remember the Holy Child was born in a time of trouble.
Embrace those suffering from the ravages of hate and bombs,
And guide us to new ways to find peace among your children.
In the name of the One who is our guide,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Peace is not the absence of war; it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition for benevolence, confidence, justice.
Benedict de Spinoza, Dutch Jewish philosopher (1632-1677)
Never stop making the connections between sexism, racism, militarism, nationalism and all forms of violence.
Marge Tuite, Dominican Sister
To you, O Lord, I cried, and to the Lord I made supplication:
“What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the Pit?
Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness?
Psalm 30: 8-9