Some fragmented thoughts on a post-inauguration sermon, the callout of a president, the implications for the rest of us, irksome unity, and some upcoming events
Jeff, I’m a new reader. (My daughter Katherine is a friend of yours from seminary.) Thanks for your perspective on Budde’s sermon. I’ve read much about it, and your take is helpful. I’m trying to pushback from my “gotcha” mentality — in the sense of needing to give up seeking that tiny thrill I feel from some gotcha anti-right-wing comment or meme. I need to do better. Your words help. How about a sermon on that?
Thanks so much. To be clear, I am not trying to steal anyone's delight! By all means, cherish that tiny thrill—but a key word to me there, which indicates your self-awareness, is "tiny." For some who have been shaped and formed in this clickbait culture, I worry that the thrill of the meme becomes the destination rather than a temporary pause point en route to something more holistic and communally nurturing.
Jeff, as usual, your thoughts are so valid and well expressed. I was also thinking of Micah 6:8. Another president some 50 years ago now made that verse his touchstone publicly upon his inauguration. How far we have come. I was also thinking of something an activist, whose name I have forgotten, shared in an interview with Krista Tippett. The activist had been working to ensure democracy in the presidency during an election year. She was brought up short by the realization that if we as a people are not practicing democracy, we cannot expected an elected leader at the highest level to do so. She has begun advocating for grassroots democracy, a difficult, different but necessary prerequisite. May God have mercy on us all.
I second and third those amens. Thank you for sharing those beautiful photos from your trip. I am very excited about your new book and will be watching both online. I think Bishop Budde did a great job considering the parameters she had to work within. There were, as you probably know a lot of behind the scenes things that transpired over the previous months. And her sermon was reviewed by the cathedral folks (for lack of better term). And also apparently she only decided moments before she stood to preach that she was adding that last part. That was Bishop Mariann unscripted. Having said that I do understand your point of view as well, but I don't wonder if within the context of sermon writing, time constraints etc that would have taken her off her direct end point. That's just my thought on that. You preach so you know, sometimes it's easy to derail and go off your notes, but you manage to bring it all back full circle and sometimes you don't. (not you specifically) but homilists in general. You connected your dots differently than she did. One of my clergy friends said maybe she should have gone with the days lectionary reading, I smacked him and glared. LOL. I sure did. Gave him my pointy finger too. All this to say, she did a great job given the task she undertook.
I have a confession to make - I just preordered your book (before I read this post) and saw the pub date & thought "wow I'll be all surprised when I get the book since it's so far away." Um, what year is this? I thought I was still in 2024. Wishful thinking I guess. Anyway, can't wait to read the book & then shove it at other people to read!
I pray that the seeds she planted, derided as they are, find some pocket of good soil in the hearts who heard her.
Also, welcome to Memphis! Go somewhere besides the Rendezvous for BBQ. It's the most famous, but it's really not the best. I vote for either Central BBQ or Top's BBQ. :)
Oh Jeff. Yes. As soon as I was guided to the full sermon (maybe by Diana Butler Bass, here on Substack?) and had a chance to watch it, I bristled at the 2x4 in my own eye. It is much more comfortable to have pointed outside of myself with a demanded, “Yes. Please listen and feel convicted, You Bad People.” I walked away from her message as one should after a good sermon: feeling like I either have to reject Scripture and the Holy Spirit as good and true and the authority in my life…or repent and ask God to heal me of my sin and brokenness.
I want to embody Micah 6:8 (as a good Christian Reformed Calvinette, I know that verse even better than Q&A one of the Heidelberg Catechism of the Apostles Creed). I want to embody Christ’s prayers for unity while in the Garden just before His betrayal. And I want to see the image of God tucked into *everyone*, not just the people I like.
Or maybe Bishop Budde should just bite her tongue and stop being so rude.
Jeff, your post was as eloquent, prayerful and thoughtful as the words of Rev. Budde last week. I pray for continued blessings on us all as we must carry on the hard work we've been called for.
I too heard Micah 6:8 through the sermon which I agree was for all of us not just one. It is my life verse even though I no longer consider myself a Christian. I even have it tattooed on my forearm with ironically, a drawing of Mt Denali which shall always be Mt Denali to me.
Jeff, I’m a new reader. (My daughter Katherine is a friend of yours from seminary.) Thanks for your perspective on Budde’s sermon. I’ve read much about it, and your take is helpful. I’m trying to pushback from my “gotcha” mentality — in the sense of needing to give up seeking that tiny thrill I feel from some gotcha anti-right-wing comment or meme. I need to do better. Your words help. How about a sermon on that?
Thanks so much. To be clear, I am not trying to steal anyone's delight! By all means, cherish that tiny thrill—but a key word to me there, which indicates your self-awareness, is "tiny." For some who have been shaped and formed in this clickbait culture, I worry that the thrill of the meme becomes the destination rather than a temporary pause point en route to something more holistic and communally nurturing.
This is so true: "The greatest costs of unity are often borne by those whose lives are furthest from the norm." Thanks for saying so out loud.
Jeff, as usual, your thoughts are so valid and well expressed. I was also thinking of Micah 6:8. Another president some 50 years ago now made that verse his touchstone publicly upon his inauguration. How far we have come. I was also thinking of something an activist, whose name I have forgotten, shared in an interview with Krista Tippett. The activist had been working to ensure democracy in the presidency during an election year. She was brought up short by the realization that if we as a people are not practicing democracy, we cannot expected an elected leader at the highest level to do so. She has begun advocating for grassroots democracy, a difficult, different but necessary prerequisite. May God have mercy on us all.
I second and third those amens. Thank you for sharing those beautiful photos from your trip. I am very excited about your new book and will be watching both online. I think Bishop Budde did a great job considering the parameters she had to work within. There were, as you probably know a lot of behind the scenes things that transpired over the previous months. And her sermon was reviewed by the cathedral folks (for lack of better term). And also apparently she only decided moments before she stood to preach that she was adding that last part. That was Bishop Mariann unscripted. Having said that I do understand your point of view as well, but I don't wonder if within the context of sermon writing, time constraints etc that would have taken her off her direct end point. That's just my thought on that. You preach so you know, sometimes it's easy to derail and go off your notes, but you manage to bring it all back full circle and sometimes you don't. (not you specifically) but homilists in general. You connected your dots differently than she did. One of my clergy friends said maybe she should have gone with the days lectionary reading, I smacked him and glared. LOL. I sure did. Gave him my pointy finger too. All this to say, she did a great job given the task she undertook.
Ja, you can't say everything, but what you said was good.
Thanks, Dominee. I always appreciate your encouragement.
I have a confession to make - I just preordered your book (before I read this post) and saw the pub date & thought "wow I'll be all surprised when I get the book since it's so far away." Um, what year is this? I thought I was still in 2024. Wishful thinking I guess. Anyway, can't wait to read the book & then shove it at other people to read!
Thank you. The words from this post sustained me this week.
I pray that the seeds she planted, derided as they are, find some pocket of good soil in the hearts who heard her.
Also, welcome to Memphis! Go somewhere besides the Rendezvous for BBQ. It's the most famous, but it's really not the best. I vote for either Central BBQ or Top's BBQ. :)
Oh Jeff. Yes. As soon as I was guided to the full sermon (maybe by Diana Butler Bass, here on Substack?) and had a chance to watch it, I bristled at the 2x4 in my own eye. It is much more comfortable to have pointed outside of myself with a demanded, “Yes. Please listen and feel convicted, You Bad People.” I walked away from her message as one should after a good sermon: feeling like I either have to reject Scripture and the Holy Spirit as good and true and the authority in my life…or repent and ask God to heal me of my sin and brokenness.
I want to embody Micah 6:8 (as a good Christian Reformed Calvinette, I know that verse even better than Q&A one of the Heidelberg Catechism of the Apostles Creed). I want to embody Christ’s prayers for unity while in the Garden just before His betrayal. And I want to see the image of God tucked into *everyone*, not just the people I like.
Or maybe Bishop Budde should just bite her tongue and stop being so rude.
“I do wish she had made one thing more explicit: The greatest costs of unity are often borne by those whose lives are furthest from the norm.”
I’m curious how you weigh these greatest costs against these same folks bearing the greatest costs of disunity also.
That's a wonderful question. I don't know how you weigh one against the other. Would love to hear more of your thoughts on the matter.
Jeff, your post was as eloquent, prayerful and thoughtful as the words of Rev. Budde last week. I pray for continued blessings on us all as we must carry on the hard work we've been called for.
I too heard Micah 6:8 through the sermon which I agree was for all of us not just one. It is my life verse even though I no longer consider myself a Christian. I even have it tattooed on my forearm with ironically, a drawing of Mt Denali which shall always be Mt Denali to me.
Why Belhar requires Unity to be accompanied by Reconciliation and Justice.
I thought about writing about Belhar, but this was already too long.