An Other Kingdom
Jesus and several of his prominent followers proclaimed not only that another world was possible, but indeed it was already here, emerging among us. Paul writes that we are citizens not of the empire but of this proclaimed kingdom of Heaven. Citizens of such a kingdom, of course have different allegiances, different priorities, and a different responsibilities than subjects of the empire, he writes.
I have been meditating on this idea, stimulated by the all-church book read, “An Other Kingdom” by Walter Brueggeman, Peter Block, and John McKnight. What does it mean now to be a citizen of another country while living fully immersed in this one? If I’m loyal to another set of values, will I be able to survive when the present empire exerts its hold? Are all aspects of the empire I was born into to be rejected, or are there some skills and gifts to be carried into the new reality?
These are questions worth engaging, especially during Lent, and especially if one is seeking the Easter of a more beneficial and collaborative world than the one presented on the nightly news.
In “An Other Kingdom” the authors suggest that much of what we simply accept as established fact is not helpful or healthy, not for individuals and not for a sustainable society. The Free Market Consumer Ideology that drives hyper-individualism, diminishes community responsibility and mutuality, and depends on inequalities and division to spin the wheels of commerce are literally killing us and killing our children.
It has generated conditions where it is less costly to feed a family from processed food from thousands of miles away (but filled with countless preservatives and additives to make the journey) than it is to eat fresh vegetables or meat grown next door.
To be a citizen is to have responsibilities and philosophical ownership of one’s governance, and environment as well as rights to opportunities to thrive. In that regard fewer and fewer of us are feeling like true citizens of this consumer empire. I can vote with my dollar, but those who have more dollars have more votes. I can try to be careful what I eat, but the decision makers on what’s available are not accessible.
But in our faith tradition we have potent examples of ways to resist the empire and create communities that thrive. There is, at the very least, support and strength for standing against the consumer mentality even in simple matters like cooking extra food for a potluck. Cooking for others is a powerful resistance to the pressures to just look out for self.
We also have a 2000 year tradition of reaching beyond self-interest and deliberately seeking the common good, filling the empty plate, and healing any broken soul, regardless of their perceived worth by the world’s standards, let alone their ability to be anything other than a member of the community.
This “other kingdom” is the one proclaimed by a resurrection community after Jesus death and reappearance. It was one that believed that by acting differently, at least an embassy of this other place could be planted. The church at its best is still an embassy of that coming kingdom. This Lent, this Easter, I’m trying to renew my connection to this truer home. Not in some high, far-off heaven beyond this life, but right here: the community of covenant and transformation is the one I want to belong to, rejecting the culture of death, or the title “consumer.”
I think Union Church has much to add to the conversation about enlarging the welcome to such an other kingdom. As your journey continues through this season, perhaps we can all work and pray to arrive at an Easter of a greater common good, a deeper common purpose, and a holier common ground.
With peace and grace to you all,
- Save the Date! Church’s Annual Meeting, March 18
- HELP! From the Nominating Board
- Lent Opportunities and Holy Week
- Read “An Other Kingdom” With Union Church! Discussion Group on Sundays!
- Thank you from Rev. Rachel
- Music in March
- New staff Members, In Memoriam Gloria VanWinkle, March Birthdays & Anniversaries
- 5th Annual Refugee and Immigrant Day at the Capitol March 7th
- The moral case for cleaning up radioactive fracking waste illegally dumped in Estill County. By Bob Shaffer
- Habitat Update from Russ Barclay, Executive Director
- Collecting Light by Deborah Cooper
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