Being the Church In the Midst of Chaos and Confusion

The last few weeks of President Trump’s executive orders and actions have launched a tidal wave of chaos and confusion in America. We are witnessing an unprecedented assault on government institutions, programs and functions, leaving many feeling dazed and uncertain about the future.

This makes me wonder what the Church can do amid such chaos to continue our mission and to protect the vulnerable and disenfranchised. As I pondered this, I was reminded of one of the most inspiring verses in the book of the prophet Micah:

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8, NIV)

Here, the people of God are provided instructions on how to navigate the turbulent waters of this life. We must be committed to pursuing justice, embracing mercy and a humble walk with our God. These are quintessential components of living with our neighbors and walking with the divine.

Thomas Aquinas, the great Doctor of the Church, asserted that justice is chiefly concerned with the governance of human relationships and the mutual flourishing of all in society. It is principally committed to providing each individual in society with what they deserve, which involves a serious commitment to the welfare of others.

As the church, we must also be committed to mercy in the world. This is beautifully illustrated in Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan. In the parable, the Samaritan, despised by the Jews, shows mercy and compassion to the victim of a violent robbery. The Samaritan is the true neighbor in the story. His life is characterized by compassion and love.

We must never forget humility as we walk with our God. We all were once strangers to the love, truth and promises of God. However, by grace, we have been brought near to the Father. Therefore, we should embrace a posture of humility as we walk with God, loving the things God loves and resisting evil in the world.

Although the political storms of Trumpism are raging around us, let us, the Church, remember our core values of justice, mercy and humility. Let us always remember our identity in Christ.