Sunday Best Is Everyday Wear

It's interesting to stand on a blue protest line in a red town in a red county in a red state in a red nation. I stand with the others deflecting verbal expletives and obscene gestures, amid the sound of screeching tires, the smell of burning rubber and diesel smoke from trucks whose engines are much too big for their drivers' skill, intellect, maturity, and tiny endowment. I stand there. I observe. I deflect, saddened by the apathy and ignorance parading by. And I think.

My thoughts today, being a Sunday, are directed to you in your Sunday best. Some of you glare disapprovingly, shaking a head and mumbling to others in the car. Most of you are apathetic, avoiding even the slightest interaction. I wonder if you believe you are justified to the extent you could cast the first stone? Or if you recognize your own hypocrisy and are simply walking away? I judge you today as having chosen maga’s propaganda over Christ’s scriptures.

Hypocrisy is a powerful accusation, one quickly invoking the defensive catch-all retort , “judge not, lest you be judged." Let there be no mistake, that verse does not absolve me from the responsibility to point out your adherence to misguided beliefs and actions, from trying to guide you in the way of righteousness. Strict adherence to “judge not” negates the entire foundational need for ministry, pulpit preaching, or evangelism - all of which judge the darkness of the world is in need of enlightenment. Of discernment and righteous judgement. Sanctioned judgment precedes Christian evangalism. Judgement and offering an alternative direction are my obligations, not accepting that judgement is your right. I am told to clean your dust off my feet and move on.

Look at us holding these cardboard signs. See us. We are your friends, neighbors, and co-workers. College students. Retired seniors on fixed incomes and prescriptions to keep us going. Working laborers and professionals. Middle and lower class. We are parents and grandparents. We are NOT paid protestors, pathetic losers, screaming liberals. We are NOT heathen atheists; many of us rushed from worship in our respective faiths to be here. (Perhaps some shun organized religion but I can’t blame them given the current environment of hatred, exclusion, and racism projected by fundamentalist Christians and maga pushing a political agenda.) We are not even all democrats; some are actually political and religious conservatives currently without a place to call home, welcomed in by a group known to embrace those in need. We are not connected by politics or social positions. We are, however, unequivocally bound and strongly united by a real and true belief in RIGHT vs WRONG, dedication to the constitution and the rights it protects, devotion to human equality and dignity. To humanity. To Christian values. Look at us. See us.

Christ never condemned the poor, sick, hungry, homeless, or foreign. Maga does. He never condemned those standing up and helping those less fortunate. Maga does. Christ actually mandated a responsibility to care for the downtrodden and lift them by word and deed. A Christian duty. To do otherwise - demonize, neglect, ostracize, persecute- is wrong. Maga does. He did, however, condemn the wealthy, those choosing earthly wealth, fame, and power over Christian values. Maga is. He condemned the hypocrites, choosing public acceptance and popularity over Christian values. Maga is. He condemned the wolves in sheep’s clothing and false prophets. Maga is. He condemned those sowing seeds of division. Maga is. He condemned those doing nothing, those burying their talents and hoarding Christian values with no increase.

---

At best, many of you are passing on the other side of the road to avoid aiding the battered and broken countryman. Sadly, maga encourages you to ridicule, kick, and throw dirt in his face before crossing the road. ICE would grab the Samaritan and throw him to the ground in handcuffs, arrest and detain him. He is, after all, a foreigner. Homeland Security would break down the doors and close the inn for interfering. The poor beaten man, with no funds or healthcare, would be tossed in the alley to die. That is the maga way, not the examples given by Christ.

Those condemning Christ in Pilot’s court also refused to listen, ignoring all their knowledge and faith to agree with the leaders of the synagogue - those believing their wealth, power, and social position were threatened. The followers remained silent, refused to speak up and defend Christ. Eventually, they became part of the howling mob, “Crucify him! Crucify him! Give us Barabus!” They watched him be led away to be crucified. They did nothing. If you are remaining silent OR vocally supporting the maga regime, you are guilty of nailing Christ to the cross once again. Undeniable. Silence is perceived as consensus; defending maga’s hateful words and deeds is perceived as participation in unChristian fascism . Your negative influence will never make the world a better place, Adherence to maga dogmas of prosecution, persecution, hatred, neglect, racism, discrimination, etc… will certainly not make anything great…ever.

The time is now to stand up for your Christian values. You are being tested and tempted, as Christ was and told you it would happen. He told you to be prepared. You know we should feed the hungry and care for widows, orphans, homeless, and sick. Those are Christian values, not Democratic liberal rhetoric. We should treat all people fairly and with dignity and honor. Those are Christian values, not libtard babble. We should honor the intrinsic worth of humanity, generally,and individuals, specifically - even foreigners, immigrants, minorities. Those are Christian values, not anti-American rhetoric. And we should respect the free-will of our citizenry to live their lives as they choose, with whom, believe as they want, and decide their own color scheme. Free will is a gift from God to all of us and no one has the right to take that free will away - not the government, not maga, not bullies. and not fundamentalist KKKhristians. This free-will leads to choices made, paths taken, lives lived. Then, God’s judgement. It’s how it works. It's Christian values and it's what truly makes America great.
​
I ask the next time you see a line or group of protestors, look. See! If your informed choice and maga state of mind leads you to pass by and jeer, condemn and mock - you now know you are seen. You are heard. And we love you and are standing on the line for you, too. Hopefully, however, you will recognize your own calling to “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds…” Stop and join us as we unite to keep Americans free, protect basic human rights, and treat life and love with the respect and kindness it deserves. What Would Jesus Do? RIGHT IS MIGHT!

Kay Hock

Kay Hock is a lifetime resident of Erath county, retired Business Manager of a 1-A school, and mother of two grown professionals. She has only recently taken a foray into political activism, wielding a protest sign occasionally and pen often -hoping these calls to action help contribute to a brighter future beyond the current dark and desperate days. For the love of all.