Canadian singer Anne Murray scored big with a 1983 hit single that resonates for many today. It was called (I Sure Could Use) A Little Good News Today. Amen, Anne! At the moment, most of us feel pummeled with bad news every time we pick up the paper, surf the internet or turn on the TV.
Bombings in Afghanistan and Syria trigger a fear of reprisals. Testy relationships with Russia and China are alarming. And then there is North Korea. And ISIS. And the divisiveness and gridlock in Washington. We (Sure Could Use) A Little Good News Today. And, if “good news” is the topic, isn’t that the property of people of Faith? In fact, the word “evangel” simply means, “one who brings good news.”
Where is the good news for children, who along with the very aged, are among our most vulnerable populations? Jesus said of children, “To such as these belongs the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 18:16) And yet there is talk about reducing allocations for school meal programs when 20% of America’s children go to school hungry every day. Children who are hungry are at a disadvantage in the classroom. Children who underperform in the classroom are at a disadvantage in the workplace. And thus the cycle of poverty and despair continues.
Where is the good news for the poor when we read about vital services being curtailed at the federal level? Again, Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.” (Luke 4: 16ff)
And what about our environment? The very first chapter of the very first book of the Bible (Genesis 1) begins with the story of Creation and God’s command that we become faithful stewards of all that God made and called “good.” A person cannot read past the first chapter in scripture without realizing we are all called to be environmentalists. And yet, the EPA is slowly diminishing in influence and may well be vanishing before our very eyes.
Jesus was called “the Great Physician,” with much of his work being the work of a Healer. He was moved with compassion for the blind and lame, for lepers and people with incurable hemorrhages, for an epileptic child and a Centurion’s servant. Whereas most of us may not know precisely how national health care should be constructed, all people of faith know that Jesus said he came “not for those who are well, but for those who need a physician.” (Mark 2:17) So, what do we do about the sick of whom Mother Theresa said, “They are Christ to me”?
One challenge obviously goes directly to Washington where 91% of our legislators refer to themselves as “Christians.” Their challenge is to live up to what they claim to believe. Put Christian principles ahead of partisan politics. Read Matthew chapter 25 and then prayerfully ask, “How much of Jesus’ commandments am I willing to take seriously?”
But, that’s not just a question for politicians, is it? Instead, for all of us who claim faith, there is the charge to be faithful. We are all challenged to read the same biblical story and ask ourselves the same question: “How much of Jesus’ commandments am I willing to take seriously?” Will I make my voice heard, even if doing so makes me unpopular? Will I devote volunteer time to serve local helping agencies, even if that takes away from my own leisure time activities? Will I contribute money to churches, synagogues, activist efforts, or service institutions that address the pressing issues of our age? Will I vote? (A strong majority of registered voters do not go to the polls, which is our single most available opportunity to help craft the transformation we want to see.) Will I tutor a student, mentor a youth, visit the homebound? Will I write my legislators? Will I organize at the local level (where most significant social movements originate)? Will I live with care and compassion for people in my own little corner of the world, helping to create the good news we all long to hear?
Washington, live up to what you profess! If you claim to believe in that itinerant Rabbi from Nazareth, it’s not too difficult to discern what he asks of you. But, I also need to issue that same challenge to the person I see looking back in the mirror. All people of Faith do. Will we throw ourselves into changing this troubled world while there is still time? Will we light a candle in the darkness? We (Sure Could Use) A Little Good News Today. Maybe in our personal lives of love and service, we can help make that happen.
To hear more of Dr. Michael Brown’s thoughts, be sure to tune into his new podcast series, Practical Faith, available on iTunes.
The author is Senior Minister of Marble Collegiate Church in New York City. The church is the oldest Protestant organization in North America in continuous service and has a global following online - with worshipers in 47 countries connecting through its live-streamed services.