There are two paths

Retribution

it is a very human thing

it is as American as apple pie

 

retribution goes along with domination

it oozes out of the belief

that it is “all about me”

 

it is a by-product of toxic individualism

 

when our world view is based on domination

and the idea that the one with the most power

is the person with the most worth

 

when we believe that nothing should impinge

on our right to do what we want to do

when we want to do it

on our right to impose our values, our beliefs, our “way” on others

 

then people thwarting our will is unacceptable

whether we be a nation

a church

a race

or even an individual

 

and the only way to answer such presumptuous challenges to our power

is to use our power to crush and control

 

this way of living started early!

 

enter Cain who eradicated Able

who dare compete for “God’s favor”

 

it continues

enter politicians who, when people threaten their power

double down on repression (think voter suppression)

or even on retribution (think the GOP threatening companies who oppose voter suppression)

 

it is interesting that such brutality

is often done in the name of God

God becomes the excuse for human cruelty

 

enter the inquisition

enter the Salem witch trials

enter the KKK

 

enter the right wing American church

 

enter all those who tell people God is going to punish them

with eternal conscious torment because of their beliefs

their color

their ideology

their sexual orientation

 

people of retribution have a God of retribution

 

contrary to what some may believe (RC Spoul Jr)

God did not create sin so God would have an excuse

to exercise God’s beautiful wrath

 

God is not a God of retribution

God is a God of reconciliation, and restoration

God is a God of Love

 

how do we know?

God’s self revelation

 

enter creation

enter the manger

enter the cross

 

enter Paul, struck blind with the enormity of his error

his retribution actions

 

but restored, empower

and commissioned

 

there are moments, yes

when I long for retribution

there are more moments when I subtly buy into

“the American way”

and the myth of power and domination and wealth

 

but each day I struggle to find that other way

that way that led to the cross

that way of humility and service

 

as Paul, the restored and forgiven on implores

through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. (Gal 5)

 

it seems we have a choice

we can go the way of domination

we can use brutal force to impose our will

we can suppress and oppress others

we can manipulate the system to make ourselves rich (and others poor)

we can walk around with our guns and intimidate and coerce

 

or we can walk through our day

noticing others

thinking of others

loving others

 

and lifting others up

 

There are two paths before us; we may take only one path (Matthew 7)