Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

 Lectionary: 371

The LORD said to Abram:
"Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk
and from your father's house to a land that I will show you.
"I will make of you a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
so that you will be a blessing.

 If Christian nationalism hasn't become a pejorative term yet, it will soon be. Wikipedia defines it as,

"...a form of religious nationalism that focuses on promoting the Christian views of its followers, in order to achieve prominence or dominance in political, cultural, and social life. In countries with a state church, Christian nationalists seek to preserve the status of a Christian state."

If we add America's impulsive fear of immigrants and genius for creating increasingly savage weapons  to that kind of religion, we come up with something not only strange but dangerous to life on Earth. 

I am reminded of Christian Nationalism as I read the Sacred Scripture and find refugees and immigrants, from Adam and Eve to  the Holy Family in Egypt. Abraham's descendants, driven from one nation to another, offer only the mercy of God to those who welcome them: I will bless those who bless you...." 

and God's hostility to those who don't: 
"...and curse those who curse you."

Christian nationalism clearly falls on the wrong side of Abraham's heritage. 

Human history on this dynamic planet is a story of endless migrations. We were made from the dust of the earth; and drift about like dust. We cannot live very long in one place. Continents move, climates change, deserts encroach and withdraw, sea levels rise and fall, and humans make continual war on one another precisely because no one can stay anywhere very long.

 Everyone wishes change would wait until I am dead, but that's not the way it works. 

Through Abraham and his descendants the Lord tells the human race one message, "I am with you!" And give us one command:  "Love one another." 

Open up the gates

that a righteous nation may enter,

one that keeps faith.

With firm purpose you maintain peace;

in peace, because of our trust in you.”

Trust in the LORD forever!

For the LORD is an eternal Rock. (Is 26:3)

Despite its boasts of fidelity to God and country, Christian Nationalism trusts only in weapons and warriors. It's hospitality resembles, as Vice-President Vance carefully explained, with concentric circles -- and me in the center. 

The Bible tells us we don't have to live that way.