At The Palms, we ground ourselves in a mission of unconditional love, justice, and extravagant welcome. But as we look at the landscape of our nation today, we must ask: are our collective priorities reflecting those values?
If Jesus walked through the United States today, I suspect his message would be startlingly direct. Guided by the radical accountability of Matthew 25, he might say: “Depart from me! For I was hungry and you slashed my food assistance. I was sick and you denied me healthcare. I was a stranger and you deported my family.”
In the tradition of the Temple cleansers, he would likely flip our tables, demanding we center “the least of these.” Matthew 25 is clear: our faith isn’t measured by the hours spent in pews or the verses we memorize, but by how we treat our neighbors. Our hope is found in the feeding, the healing, and the welcoming. Period.
Currently, our national priorities are out of alignment with the Gospel:
- We fund wars around the globe instantly but debate whether healthcare is a human right.
- We spend billions on defense while soup kitchens remain a necessity for survival.
- Our leaders use language that demeans and divides while crushing the pillars of dignity, equity, and inclusion.
- We witness the bombing of innocent children while those in power deflect responsibility.
Now is the season to stand up and make your voice heard. It is time to move beyond the sanctuary and be the church in both word and deed 24/7.
Shalom,
Paul