As I write this, Zach and I are watching the debate on the Senate floor. He is also writing (he is an amazing writer – he just read to me one of the sentences from an essay he is working on about today’s events – it is incredible). Shannon is in our office working late into the evening – as she often does – leading by example and with excellence (while also keeping an ear on the proceedings).
Some of the most sacred spaces in which I have spent time are the sanctuaries of the churches where I have worshipped and those where I have had the privilege of serving as well as the many sanctuaries of God’s creation where I have roamed. Among the other spaces that have inspired me are the hallowed halls of our Nation’s Capitol building. Shannon, Zach and I have twice had the privilege of sitting in the Senate gallery to observe our Senators doing their work. We and those gathered around us shared a sense of awe and reverence. No one spoke a word. There was an orderly procession as some decided to end their time and others arrived. We had to pry Zach from the chamber on both occasions – he was absolutely enthralled. On one visit, we noticed duffle bags placed neatly and systematically under the seats. As we exited, I inquired of one of the Capitol police posted at the gallery door the purpose of the bags. He simply and sternly replied, “Sir, they are supposed to be there.” (We surmised that the bags contained some type of emergency items.) We found his answer and demeanor to be equal parts cryptic, beguiling and amusing.
There was nothing amusing about what happened today in the United States Capitol. We could’ve never imagined that those bags would need to be accessed to protect our elected officials and civil servants from other American citizens. As all of you, we watched in horror as thugs forced their way into the building desecrating and vandalizing the sacred spaces of our Republic.
We must not tolerate hate.
We must not tolerate violence.
I was particularly disturbed by those who were carrying banners adorning the name of Jesus as well as sacred Christian symbols. The most egregious were those that conflated the sacred and secular in ways that were clearly blasphemous.
It should go without saying that what we witnessed today was wholly inconsistent with the Gospel message.
This was a dark day in American history.
I am saddened by some who seem to be using today’s events to further divide us.
I am hopeful as I have seen people from across political and theological spectrums condemn what we have witnessed.
The most powerful statement to those who would seek to undermine our democracy is that within hours of the breach, order was restored, and our representatives were back at work fulfilling their Constitutional duties.
Despite what transpired, I still believe that we have far more in common than what separates us. In fact, I believe that today has the power to galvanize a broad coalition of folks to reject the extremism of the far left and the far right so that we can once again find common ground and seek solutions to the many challenges we face.
Let us recommit ourselves to love and care for one another.
I invite you to join me in praying for peace.
I invite you to join me in living that prayer into existence.