Letter to the LNP Editor; text as submitted April 8, 2026
Moving through the Readings for Holy Week is always a learning experience for me. This year I heard in the teachings and ministry of Jesus a stark contrast to the words and actions of our current government.
Jesus was all about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. He chose people of low social status such as fishermen and a tax collector as close companions. He healed foreigners like the Syrophoenician woman’s daughter and the Roman centurion’s servant. He chastised those who tried to exclude children from coming close to him. And he named a member of a hated rival tribe as the hero of his parable The Good Samaritan.
Women figured prominently in all aspects of his ministry. He praised Mary, sister of Martha, for choosing learning over housework. A number of women traveled with him and his disciples on their mission journeys. And it was a group of women who early on Sunday morning went to the grave, becoming the first witnesses to the resurrection.
When asked what is the greatest commandment, Jesus, the Christ, replied “love God and love your neighbors.”
We hear a lot about restoring “Christian values” to our nation, but many faithful Christians see that the officials who say this are governing exactly the opposite from what Jesus taught. The president began his term by deriding the Bishop who asked him to govern with mercy, a prime Christian value. Now he has lawlessly plunged us into war and threatens devastating violence.
The U.S. is not and never has been a Christian nation. But the leaders who claim to be Christian should be following Jesus’ teachings, and they definitely are not. We deserve better, and we need it now.
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