Speaking Morally Because Jesus Did
I will leave commentary to others about what qualifies as below the office of those in political positions. Suffice it to say that, as we Christians celebrate a risen savior, “you can’t make this stuff up.”
What is more predictable, thoughtful, and thoroughly grounded biblically are statements made by a Catholic pope—in this case, Pope Leo XIV. The political outcry is misplaced over his statements regarding war, peace, the maimed, the displaced, the poor, and sudden immigrants. He speaks not politically but morally, because Jesus did; and as the Vicar of Christ, Pope Leo is charged to speak as he understands and believes Jesus would have.
This does not play well with many Christians who find imaginative ways to justify war and the killing of others whom they do not like. It might be politically expedient to hold such a position, but it is not a moral one. Historically, faithful popes and pastors have reminded the world of that; it is our calling and duty—not because of any political party position, but because of Christ’s position, who always sided with those otherwise ostracized and oppressed—women, children, the poor, those ethnically different, those dispossessed, those reviled, those with mental health conditions, those with physical conditions, those who were out of sync with popular thought.
As one commentator said about the Pope Leo controversy, “If you think the Pope is woke, wait ‘til you meet his boss.”
Jesus always starts not from a political position but from a moral one, asking the question: what is truly loving in this instance? Because love is the essential and whole nature of God. It’s where every faithful Christian—not just popes—should begin every moment of every day. It is the moral question and stance of love that challenges and holds accountable all political positions.
We should be unafraid to do so because it is what our Savior did, both before and after his resurrection. It is this moral stance that made it so hard on Peter when Christ asked him three times, “Peter, do you love me?” (John 21:15–19), after Peter’s threefold denial earlier, and then charged him (and all who are called to take care of flocks), “Feed my sheep.”
Connecting God and Grace to Self and Community,
Matt Gaston
Lead Pastor
