I am inspired by Senator Cory Booker’s record-breaking 25-hour senate speech that took place from Monday to Tuesday. As I tuned in to watch Senator Booker’s impassioned talk, I was struck by his call for unity. He specifically emphasized that the problems which Americans are facing are, “not right or left, but right or wrong.” I agree that division in our country is being caused by problems that are a matter of good vs. evil, and are not a matter of Republican vs. Democrat. In fact, Senator Booker repeatedly spoke about his desire to work in a bipartisan way. I firmly believe in an America where political leaders can join for the good of the people, the nation, and the Constitution, without letting party loyalty cloud their judgement.
The issues I have with the Trump administration are, in fact, issues of morality, and not politics. Specifically, many of my issues with the current leadership involve my belief that they are acting in a way that expressly goes against the teachings of the Bible. Jesus in his ministry welcomed the poor, the ostracized, the immigrant, the sick, the widowed, the homeless, the disabled, and the sick. Donald Trump does not care about anyone in these categories. All the current president’s policies attack those that the Bible supports. I call myself a progressive Christian, and as such, I can not support those in power who are attacking all my beliefs. I must peacefully resist.
However, this strong opinion of mine raises an interesting dilemma: do I then also not support my friends who are Trump followers? I indeed have many friends and acquaintances who are much more conservative politically than I am, and I know many voted for Trump in the presidential race in November 2024. How do I reconcile my moral compass and my values as a progressive Christian with my social circles? Well, what would Jesus do? Again, I must turn to the Bible for guidance.
A verse from the Bible App caught my eye, “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:11. I must love those whom God puts in my life. Jesus’ gospel is about love. Jesus constantly shared love with everyone He met. The quote from 1 John is a reminder of God’s desire for Christians to be a loving presence in a broken and fallen world. Loving others is not easy, especially when there are differences of opinion. But I am determined to rise to the challenge of loving those I disagree with, because God is calling me to do so.
Coming full-circle to Senator Booker’s speech, I want to emphasize that a spirit of unity, and a commitment to love, does not mean that I condone evil. The Trump administration is enacting some truly evil policies, and I will let my pen and my vote speak for me. I will follow my values system and my conscience when I make decisions about my life and my actions. But I must constantly persevere with an attitude of compassion, empathy, and respect for my fellow Americans, despite which political party they belong to.
America is being tested. Can we respond to the threat on our Constitution and our laws? Can we protect the most vulnerable populations that live in this great country? Are we truly the land of the free? We must answer this crossroads moment in history with a resounding cry of unity and love for all, and a defense of all we hold dear for who we are as a nation. In contrast, an approach of division and hate will only bring about our downfall. Please join me in advocating for what is just and fair, whether you are on the right or the left side, let us be together on the American side.
Are you struggling with today’s news? Me too! I have copied below the sermon I wrote for today’s service at a church where I provide pulpit supply. I hope it will help you! The topic is on forgiveness, specifically forgiving societies and national leaders. I feel that this topic is quite relevant to the concerns of today’s world. Unfortunately, I was sick today and did not deliver this message in person, and so a fellow church member did a wonderful job bringing it to life on my behalf. However, I believe that the message of forgiveness is an important one, and I hope you find inspiration from my take on this topic. Thank you. Blessings, G.
Scripture: New Testament: Luke 23: 33-34
Sermon
Forgiving Societies/National Leaders
Good morning. Today is the final Sunday in the sermon series on forgiveness. We will be looking at forgiving a society or national leader who you feel has caused suffering. This is an extremely difficult type of forgiveness, because we often do not have control over decisions made by government leaders, even though those decisions may affect us negatively. For this reason, I believe that forgiving societal policies or governing officials is the hardest form of forgiveness, and perhaps is not always possible. However, we can look to both Jesus and to other devout Christians for examples of how to achieve forgiveness.
First, I would like to look at the words of Jesus from today’s scripture reading. As Jesus is being crucified for crimes he did not commit, he speaks the words, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” A short but powerful sentence. Jesus is forgiving the political and religious leaders who nailed him to the cross. He knows that they are ignorant of the enormity of the evil in their actions. Jesus’ forgiveness in his moment of suffering and death amazes me. How can I hope to replicate His actions and attitude? If I were in a similar situation, where my life was tormented or taken due to a political leader, could I forgive that person? Would I be able to follow the example of Jesus?
I would like to tell you the true story of a woman who did achieve the seemingly impossible, and followed the example of forgiveness demonstrated by Jesus. I met Irene Gut Opdyke when I was 14 years old while attending a reading for her book tour in May 2001. Mrs. Opdyke wrote a book entitled In My Hands, about her experiences as a resistance fighter during World War II. She was personally responsible for rescuing 16 Jewish people, at risk to her own life and safety. When I met her face-to-face while having my copy of her book signed, she took my face in her hands and whispered the word, “Beautiful.” I looked into her clear blue eyes and I felt a peace and calm come over me, as if I were meeting an angel. I will never forget that moment. Let me tell you more of her story.
Mrs. Opdyke was born Irene Gut in Poland on May 5, 1918. When Word War II began, she was 17 years old, and training as a nurse in a Polish hospital. The war took her across Poland to many locations as the country became occupied by the Russians and the Germans. Finally, she ended up working at a dining hall doing slave labor for the Nazis. Initially, Irene was unaware of the extent of violence and evil that the Nazis were enacting on the Jewish people. However, by age 20, Irene began to witness first-hand what the Nazis were capable of, and she dedicated herself to fighting against them. She began slowly at first, by smuggling food into concentration camps. Soon, she had the opportunity to expand her resistance.
While working at the dining hall, Irene gained the attention and favor of an older Nazi major, who I will call Major R. for ease of pronunciation. Irene used his affection to press her advantage in aiding the Jews in the nearby camp and ghetto. Eventually, Major R. asked Irene to move in with him as a housekeeper at a nearby villa. Irene set up the basement of the villa as a hiding place, and kept 13 Jews secret whom she had rescued from a murderous raid by the Nazis. However, one day she was caught with two of her Jewish rescues in the villa’s kitchen by Major R. She begged him not to turn herself and the Jews in to be killed. Major R. was furious, but he agreed to keep her secret if she would become his mistress. Irene agreed, feeling that she had no other choice, even though it was, as she described it, “shameful and humiliating.”
Throughout her recounting of the experiences of the war, and all the suffering she endured so that she might aid the Jews, Irene described a devout faith in God. There were periods where she wondered if God was around, due to the evil she was viewing, such as public executions. But Irene always came back to prayer and visiting churches whenever she was faced with tough situations. She never lost hope, and she never gave up on finding small moments of God’s love with her companions. Irene remarked more than once of the beauty of nature that God created which seemed untouched by the ravages of war. For example, the birds would still sing, and the seasons would still change. The day after Major R. took her as his mistress, the first thing Irene did was attend a mass at the local church. She said in her book, “I had God’s blessing, I was never more sure of anything.”
I believe that it was this intense faith in God, which sustained Irene during the perils and trials of World War II, that eventually led to a moment of forgiveness towards Major R. He had forced her to come with him while the Germans were retreating from the Russians at the end of the war. At night, while he was securing her a hotel room, she said, “In spite of everything, I felt grateful to him; he had helped me save many lives. I was already forgiving him for what he had put me through.” When Major R. left the hotel for the night, Irene escaped him, and joined the resistance guerilla fighters who were living nearby in the woods. They were the only people she knew who would look after her.
Irene began to confront her anger at the Germans and Russians for invading Poland by acting as a spy for the resistance. However, she felt uncomfortable with the violence of the guerilla army, and eventually left to look for her family. When her search for her loved ones was unproductive, she transitioned to working at a hospital for displaced Jews and used her old nursing skills. These steps aided Irene in a slow process of accepting her experiences in the war.
In a similar way, when we feel that forgiveness for a government is too hard to accomplish, we can take a step towards forgiveness through our behavior. Perhaps we cannot change the world, but we can have an impact such as the one Irene had. By following God’s will through righteous action, we free ourselves from the burden of anger in our hearts that can block forgiveness. We must let God hold our leaders accountable for their sins. It is only our job to take what action we can to combat injustices.
Irene Gut Opdyke eventually immigrated to America, and lived to age 85. She wrote her book as a response to Holocaust deniers in the USA. She began touring for her book, which was published in 1999, to remind Americans that the Holocaust was true and terrible. However, her overwhelming message was one of faith in God and she emphasized the love we must have for each other. In the dedication to her book the words, “Remember, love not hate,” stood out to me. She lived through tragedy, but she triumphed with a message of love and forgiveness despite it all. I encourage you to learn from her example. I am truly humbled by her story, and the life she led. God calls us close to Him, to live, love, and forgive like Him. If Irene Gut Opdyke can forgive a Nazi officer and let God work through her, we can follow in her wake in our everyday lives. Let us gain courage from the example of Jesus and His servant Irene, to act with a forgiving heart.
The news today is scary. Every day there is some new report of how President Trump is taking apart our country’s democracy. I am afraid that everything I thought I knew for certain about America will soon change. What is there to feel good about? Prices and inflation are rising, not lowering. Immigrants and people of color are in danger. The LGBTQ+ community may lose the rights they fought so hard to gain. The DOGE committee, fronted by Elon Musk, is systematically attacking government agencies, and being granted access to American’s most private information. My status as a woman, alone, now puts me at risk for attacks from Trump. The list of scary news goes on and on, and I can not cover all the topics in one paragraph. However, suffice to say, that the reign of Trump is ushering in dark times for the USA.
So, what can I do to not feel overwhelmed and hopeless?! I was praying on this subject, and what came to me were the simple words, “Stay in the present moment.” There are blessings in my life that have not yet disappeared, and are worth celebrating. I do not know how my life will be altered in the future by the new administration. Therefore, it is more crucial than ever to be present and feel each blessing fully. In honor of this philosophy, I have decided to write a Ladybug post today listing 10 blessings in my present life. I will appreciate these blessings with every fiber of my being, for as long as they are mine to hold. I suggest that if you are feeling equally hopeless at the state of our country, take out a paper and pen, and make your own list of blessings. Celebrate the gifts God gives us, no matter how small. Without further explanation, here are 10 Blessings that I cherish in my daily life:
My parents are alive and I can help them frequently. This past summer, I moved closer to my parent’s home, and it is now a short drive to their house. I can spend much more time with them, and offer any help they may need. It is a huge blessing in my life to give back to my wonderful and amazing parents, who have always been there for me through thick and thin. We have a relationship that I cherish.
My morning cup of coffee. I love to wake up and go through the routine of making a pot of coffee. The first bitter, hot sip is heaven! Coffee is a luxury, and I enjoy every minute of drinking a good cup!
Books! I love to read. I enjoy a wide variety of genres of books, and I always have 10 books that I am reading at the same time. Everything from political non-fiction, to books on racism and women’s rights, to romances with handsome heroes, to fantasy novels that take me to other worlds, I love all books! I especially enjoy reading banned books, and am currently reading The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. I learn something new with every book I read, and the books become a part of me.
Walks in nature. I love to be in the woods, walking among the wise trees, and hearing the birds sing. Somehow, everything that was wrong in my life feels right again. Nature is incredibly healing. Feeling fresh air on my face is exactly what I need to cure any stressful situation. Thank you, God, for creating this beautiful planet, and giving me the ability to enjoy your fabulous works!
Sobriety. This is a serious blessing. I do not rely on any substances to escape reality and get high anymore. No alcohol, no cigarettes, no pills. I never tried marijuana, and I never will. I cherish and carefully guard my sobriety, because it is the most important gift that I can give myself. I want to experience reality, and cope with stress, in healthy and safe ways. The ultimate clean living. The best decision I have made.
Yummy and nourishing food. I have enough food to eat, and I am blessed to enjoy many delicious and tasty meals. I have never gone hungry. This has not always seemed like a blessing to me, as I have struggled with Anorexia Nervosa my whole adult life. However, I have healed enough from my eating disorder to realize that food security is indeed an amazing blessing, and a privilege of living in the developed world. In addition, there is so much pleasure in a good meal!
Health. My health is a constant struggle for me, both mentally and physically. However, I have wonderful health insurance that has allowed me access to top doctors and healing medications. I could be much worse off if I did not live in a state that offers great healthcare. In addition, I have the gift of great insight into my mind and body, which allows me to make good decisions about my care. I lead a high-quality life, and I am grateful.
School. I attend Westfield State University online, and it is an honor to have education access. Many women around the world, and in our country, are denied education. Currently, I am working to complete my BA in Psychology. The courses are not always easy, and at times I want to give up. Then, I remind myself that school is an incredible blessing, and I persevere. I will finish my degree, in the hopes for better opportunities going forward.
Church. Having a church family is everything to me. The support of fellow Christians is crucial in my spiritual journey. I have been blessed to be quite active in the different churches I have attended. Mission work is a passion of mine, and helping others with the company of my fellow church members is a wonderful experience. Churches and organized religions are certainly not perfect, but the gift of sharing faith with other believers is something I will value for my whole life.
My apartment. I am not homeless. There are so many people in the USA, and all over the world, who do not have stable housing. I have a warm, cozy, comfy, and safe place to call my own. My apartment is my sanctuary. It is where I recover from the roughness of the world, and rediscover my spark. When life is overwhelming, I spend a few days hunkered down in my apartment, and I feel renewed. My space is where I go to rest, so that I may do battle in the outside world again. This is a true luxury, and I do not take it for granted. My home is my restorative blessing.
The list of my blessings could continue, and it could certainly be much longer. However, I felt it was important to take a moment to look at the most basic and simple blessings that make my life wonderful. The daily life I lead is truly one that I feel immense gratitude for, and I do not take one single blessing for granted. I will live in the moment, and return to look at my list, every time I begin to doubt whether I can face our scary world. God is Good. His Love endures forever.
The Ladybug 