We have our very own desaparecidos — our very own "disappeared ones" — being abducted from our midst today throughout this country. Those who are abducted and detained are sent to God knows where, often to hideous gulags overseas. But we know that many are being sent to what certainly look like enormous concentration camps being built right here in this country.

We, the citizens, must take back our country.  As the extraordinary late Congressman John Lewis said, we must “make good trouble”.  The only way I see this happening is through massive, non-violent protest and selective civil disobedience.  The first thing that comes to my mind is to ensure that there is no doubt about our revulsion and rejection of the inhumane ways ICE agents are so often carrying out their odious tasks unlawfully and in the manner of masked Gestapo agents. 

Judgment is not my favorite subject. I’d rather speak about grace. However, I cannot deny that Jesus, at least in the memory of the Gospel writers, mentioned judgment on numerous occasions. Which has me wondering, if Jesus were to visit America, how would he judge us?

National holidays always give me pause. As a Christian, I’m never entirely sure how to engage patriotism. I’ve waved many a flag in my life, hung a few upside down, pretended to be Canadian to avoid the issue, shouted Frederick Douglass’ famous speech from the rooftops, and refrained from such celebrations altogether. July 4 is my day of national ambiguity.

I do not make this statement lightly: this past week, fascism arrived in America.  The moment came when Trump mobilized the Marines to put down protests against the ICE raids in Los Angeles. 

The sad truth is, for most Republicans, particularly in the House, job security outweighs the courage to do the right thing.  Indeed, job security is everything for these politicians.

In Donald Trump's relentless pursuit of dictatorial power, the consequences of his actions bring, every day, incalculable suffering to our human situation.  Just when we get to the point where we think it can't get any worse, it does.  The most glaring concerns at the moment are with the economy and immigration.

Court orders are being ignored, people are unlawfully detained, those who speak out are intimidated and threatened, universities lose grants, and millions of innocent people are treated as though they did not exist.

We know how hard it is to come up with fresh sermons each week. Take Back Christianity has condensed an array of thoughtful and theologically-rooted sermon starters. We invite you to peruse and use these resources, as you use your voice to help create a better world for our Christian faith and our nation.

We know how hard it is to come up with fresh sermons each week. Take Back Christianity has condensed an array of thoughtful and theologically-rooted sermon starters. We invite you to peruse and use these resources, as you use your voice to help create a better world for our Christian faith and our nation.

We know how hard it is to come up with fresh sermons each week. Take Back Christianity has condensed an array of thoughtful and theologically-rooted sermon starters. We invite you to peruse and use these resources, as you use your voice to help create a better world for our Christian faith and our nation.

We know how hard it is to come up with fresh sermons each week. Take Back Christianity has condensed an array of thoughtful and theologically-rooted sermon starters. We invite you to peruse and use these resources, as you use your voice to help create a better world for our Christian faith and our nation.

We know how hard it is to come up with fresh sermons each week. Take Back Christianity has condensed an array of thoughtful and theologically-rooted sermon starters. We invite you to peruse and use these resources, as you use your voice to help create a better world for our Christian faith and our nation.

We know how hard it is to come up with fresh sermons each week. Take Back Christianity has condensed an array of thoughtful and theologically-rooted sermon starters. We invite you to peruse and use these resources, as you use your voice to help create a better world for our Christian faith and our nation.

We know how hard it is to come up with fresh sermons each week. Take Back Christianity has condensed an array of thoughtful and theologically-rooted sermon starters. We invite you to peruse and use these resources, as you use your voice to help create a better world for our Christian faith and our nation.

We know how hard it is to come up with fresh sermons each week. Take Back Christianity has condensed an array of thoughtful and theologically-rooted sermon starters. We invite you to peruse and use these resources, as you use your voice to help create a better world for our Christian faith and our nation.

We know how hard it is to come up with fresh sermons each week. Take Back Christianity has condensed an array of thoughtful and theologically-rooted sermon starters. We invite you to peruse and use these resources, as you use your voice to help create a better world for our Christian faith and our nation.

We know how hard it is to come up with fresh sermons each week. Take Back Christianity has condensed an array of thoughtful and theologically-rooted sermon starters. We invite you to peruse and use these resources, as you use your voice to help create a better world for our Christian faith and our nation.

We know how hard it is to come up with fresh sermons each week. Take Back Christianity has condensed an array of thoughtful and theologically-rooted sermon starters. We invite you to peruse and use these resources, as you use your voice to help create a better world for our Christian faith and our nation.

We know how hard it is to come up with fresh sermons each week. Take Back Christianity has condensed an array of thoughtful and theologically-rooted sermon starters. We invite you to peruse and use these resources, as you use your voice to help create a better world for our Christian faith and our nation.

We know how hard it is to come up with fresh sermons each week. Take Back Christianity has condensed an array of thoughtful and theologically-rooted sermon starters. We invite you to peruse and use these resources, as you use your voice to help create a better world for our Christian faith and our nation.

We know how hard it is to come up with fresh sermons each week. Take Back Christianity has condensed an array of thoughtful and theologically-rooted sermon starters. We invite you to peruse and use these resources, as you use your voice to help create a better world for our Christian faith and our nation.

We know how hard it is to come up with fresh sermons each week. Take Back Christianity has condensed an array of thoughtful and theologically-rooted sermon starters. We invite you to peruse and use these resources, as you use your voice to help create a better world for our Christian faith and our nation.

We know how hard it is to come up with fresh sermons each week. Take Back Christianity has condensed an array of thoughtful and theologically-rooted sermon starters. We invite you to peruse and use these resources, as you use your voice to help create a better world for our Christian faith and our nation.

We know how hard it is to come up with fresh sermons each week. Take Back Christianity has condensed an array of thoughtful and theologically-rooted sermon starters. We invite you to peruse and use these resources, as you use your voice to help create a better world for our Christian faith and our nation.

We know how hard it is to come up with fresh sermons each week. Take Back Christianity has condensed an array of thoughtful and theologically-rooted sermon starters. We invite you to peruse and use these resources, as you use your voice to help create a better world for our Christian faith and our nation.

We know how hard it is to come up with fresh sermons each week. Take Back Christianity has condensed an array of thoughtful and theologically-rooted sermon starters. We invite you to peruse and use these resources, as you use your voice to help create a better world for our Christian faith and our nation.

We know how hard it is to come up with fresh sermons each week. Take Back Christianity has condensed an array of thoughtful and theologically-rooted sermon starters. We invite you to peruse and use these resources, as you use your voice to help create a better world for our Christian faith and our nation.

We know how hard it is to come up with fresh sermons each week. Take Back Christianity has condensed an array of thoughtful and theologically-rooted sermon starters. We invite you to peruse and use these resources, as you use your voice to help create a better world for our Christian faith and our nation.

We know how hard it is to come up with fresh sermons each week. Take Back Christianity has condensed an array of thoughtful and theologically-rooted sermon starters. We invite you to peruse and use these resources, as you use your voice to help create a better world for our Christian faith and our nation.