As published in the weekly newsletter of the First Christian Church of Lynchburg, VA January 22, 2024

This morning I awoke to the wonderful headline: Donald Trump Demands Apology from Bishop Who Hurt His Feelings. The article was referring to the President’s reaction to Episcopal Bishop Marianne Budde’s sermon at the Washington National Cathedral yesterday when she pleaded for mercy toward LGBTQ people, immigrants, and children in the presence of the new administration.

The final three minutes have gone viral and have made headlines around the world. Her prophetic words greatly upset the President and others as Trump has demanded an apology, calling her “nasty,” and a member of Congress has called for her deportation. Clergy, including me, have lauded her bravery in speaking truth to power advocating for the powerless. However, other than the fact that she spoke these words in the presence of the President, a part of me grieves the fact that her words made such headlines, as such prophetic advocacy should be commonplace among all who call themselves Christian.

Sadly, many would label her courage to speak truth to power as “advanced Christianity,” when it is actually “Christianity 101” or even “elementary Christianity.”

Luke introduces the good news of Jesus with a song of praise by his mother speaking truth to power:

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty (Luke 1:52-53).

And Jesus himself began his ministry quoting the prophet Isaiah who spoke truth to power:

‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor’ (Luke 4:18-19).

Every person who calls themselves a Christian has the authority and the responsibility to speak truth to power defending those in our country who are most fearful today. Doing so is foundational to our faith. It is the most basic form of discipleship. During these next four years, may we make prophetic advocacy such a common occurrence that it no longer makes headlines.

If you have not already done so, I encourage you to listen to the Bishop Budde’s entire sermon. The following is a link from NPR (ciick “Watch on Youtube” and start from the beginning:

https://www.npr.org/2025/01/21/nx-s1-5270031/bishop-confronts-trump-during-sermon-at-inaugural-prayer-service