Daily Devotional for Small Group Discussion: Words for the Eve of an Election
Discussion Questions
- Think about a particular proposition, constitution, bond issue, or other policy issue that is on the ballot in your state or county. How is the plumbline of “Love your neighbor as yourself” manifested in that policy concern?
- Throughout this year’s presidential campaign (and in many before it), the question has often been asked, “Are you better off now than you were four or eight years ago?” That’s an important question, but so too is the question, “Is my neighbor better off now than four year or eight years ago?” How would you answer the latter question?
- In your community, city, town, or state, who is your neighbor? As a nation, who are our neighbors?
The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Romans 13:9 (NRSV)
Morris Udall, long-time Congressional Representative from Arizona, was known for his dry wit. Once in an interminable House debate, Udall observed, “Everything that could be said about this bill has been said.” Then with a wry smile, he continued, “But not everyone has said it”—and proceeded to speak his mind.
On the eve of tomorrow’s election, everything—and more—that could be said about candidates and issues has probably been said. Yet there is one thing I believe needs to be said over and again as we choose candidates up and down the ballot and vote on propositions, amendments, and other policy issues. It comes from today’s scripture. It’s also found in the teachings of Jesus and the commandments of Moses.
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
By the time Paul included these words in his Letter to the Romans, he’d written countless letters to young churches about what their faith called them to do. He’d also written twelve chapters of a new and complicated theology to Christians living in the heart of the Empire. What new word could he possibly offer them about what it meant to be a Christian in their time?
Paul didn’t offer a new word. He simply affirmed one of the oldest teachings of his faith. Thousands of years later, those words still have a claim on us: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
It’s really all that needs to be said about this or any election—if only we all would say it.
Prayer
God, root us and our country in love for neighbor, all our neighbors. Amen.
About the AuthorTalitha Arnold is Senior Minister of the United Church of Santa Fe (UCC), Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is the author of Mark Parts 1 and 2 of the Listen Up! Bible Study series and Worship for Vital Congregations.