God’s call to the ‘haves’ to care for the ‘have-nots’ – to be ‘good news’ for the materially and spiritually poor – continues to upset the powerful.

At Tuesday’s post-inauguration service of Prayer for the Nation, the Bishop of Washington preached before President Trump and Vice-President Vance. Referring to Trump's oft repeated claim to have been ‘saved by God to make America great again’ Bishop Budde implored him: ‘In the name of God I ask you to have mercy on the people in our country who are scared now,’ naming undocumented immigrants and LGBTQ people. The Bishop called on Trump’s government to foster unity as a nation, across division and diversity, for the common good, mindful of Jesus’ call to welcome the stranger. Her gospel based plea fell on deaf ears.

On Wednesday on social media President Trump wrote: ‘The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday morning was a Radical Left hard line Trump hater. She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart... She and her church owe the public an apology!’

May we share Bishop Budde’s integrity and courage in promoting Jesus’ deep concern for the wellbeing of all people, especially the poor and marginalised who have no voice, mindful of Chrsit's call to us‘to bring good news to the poor... to proclaim freedom for the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’ (Luke 4)

with love and prayers

Jenny