I’m assuming that everybody who’s reading this knows about what happened on Saturday, July 13. Based on a post to a gaming site and searches he made on his phone, it appears as though Thomas Matthew Crooks was a deeply disturbed and probably lonely young man who unfortunately had access to an AR-15-style rifle and a roof near the rally. What he did is another reminder that we live in an increasingly angry society, one in which violence is viewed by many as a legitimate expression of frustration.
And even though the assassination attempt was certainly shocking, I doubt that anyone could call it unexpected. Let’s face it, in the last ten years, our country has become increasingly divided and our political conversation hostile and extreme. I mean, now-a-days, many Americans think nothing of calling those who disagree with their opinions evil and demon-possessed. They accuse those on the other side as being Marxists or Nazis, communists or fascists. And they do it even though they really don’t know what those words mean, beyond what they were told on the internet or partisan commercial television. Sadly, we don’t discuss with those outside our tribe anymore; instead, we argue and condemn and hate. And for that reason, not only is the assassination attempt not a surprise, personally, I would be shocked if it were the last.
But this doesn’t need to be the case, not within either our county or our community. You see, this environment can change when people of faith put aside issues like abortion and immigration for just a moment so that we can focus on the one we claim to follow. And with our minds on Jesus and not on a lot of this other stuff, then maybe we’ll be able to hear him command us to do one thing that transcends any partisan issue. “ But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.” [John 13:34-35, CEV]
Simply put, I believe our decision to love others can begin to change everything, because, in my opinion, it’ll enable us to do three things that are also talked about in the New Testament. For example, first, it can move us to listen before we talk. And that’s important, because we really need to understand not just what the other person is saying but maybe even why they’re saying it before we respond. As a matter of fact, this decision might actually enable us to do what James talked about in his letter: My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry. If you are angry, you cannot do any of the good things God wants done. [James 1:19-20, CEV] When we decide to love one another, maybe we’ll be willing to use our two ears more than our one mouth. That’s one.
And second, it just might also encourage us to treat all people with kindness and respect. You see, even though name-calling has become part and parcel in our political discourse, we can take a different approach by treating those who disagree with the same kind attitude that we’d like them to treat us. In other words, in our conversations, we can incorporate these words the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians: Love is patient and kind, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. [1 Corinthians 13:4-5, CEV] You see, when we decide to love others, maybe that will lead us to be patient and kind to everyone, regardless of whether they’re in our group or not. And that’s two.
And third, when we’re determined to show love, we just might be able to love those who continue to attack us. Of course, it would be nice if our decision to love others would miraculously cause them to love us, but let’s get real, that’s probably not going to happen. In fact, the kindness and patience we show may well be seen as a sign of weakness, only encouraging them to ramp up the name calling and the accusation making. You see, our decision to follow the example of Christ might actually help us understand what he had in mind when he said this to his disciples: You have heard people say, “Love your neighbors and hate your enemies.” But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong. [Matthew 5:43-45, CEV] When we set our minds on love, our compassion just might extend beyond those who share our opinions. And that’s three.
I pray that this will be the last example of political violence we have to endure, but unless the rhetoric softens, this seems unlikely. But that doesn’t need to be the case for us. You see, we can put away the anger and hate so that we might hear Jesus command us to love others as we’ve been loved. And once we decide to do it, then we just may be more willing to listen before we talk and to show kindness to everyone and to offer compassion even to those who mistreat us. And in this way, we can change the political conversation, but it all starts with us.
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