In which I do some liberation theology and critique American Christianity

Since my partner is Catholic, we went to Easter Mass. There was a man who sang, played, and looked a little like Richard Thompson. The priest reminded us to not live as if it’s always Good Friday. The teens sold pozole and tamales to raise funds for a retreat.

I remembered Jesus was a rabbi who taught a method of nonviolent resistance. I remembered the state put him to death. I remembered Jesus was someone who loved God and people enough to become a martyr about it.

I remembered the two thieves at Jesus’s side. I remembered the people Trump has abducted to the concentration camp in El Salvador. I remembered the promise of resurrection is especially salient to those who have had to live a terrible life.

But American Christians, by and large, live privileged lives undreamed of by Jesus himself. They seek their own comfort to the detriment of minorities. They live as the rich man, whom Lazarus beseeches for some mercy. Given the opportunity, they vote to crucify the robber, the migrant, the trans and queer, and finally, their Lord.

What hope is there for us American Christians? Embrace the nonviolent message of Jesus, reject the US empire, and always, always seek solidarity with the poor and marginalized. It is easier for a camel to fit through a needle’s eye.