rev. Devon Thomas: Love is the seed of righteousness

This commentary is by Reverend Devon Thomas, pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church in South Burlington.

First, I must encourage everyone to accept the results of the 2024 election. The people have spoken, and while many Vermonters may struggle with this election, we still have a responsibility as citizens of this nation to uphold the integrity of our elections. That doesn’t change the fact that I feel a lot of anxiety about the election.

rev. Dr. King famously said that the moral arc of the universe bends toward justice. I find that hard to believe today. Still, I have to try to believe it.

For the first time in American history, the people of our country elected a man convicted of 34 felonies who tried to overturn a legitimate election. Donald Trump will be the 47th president of the United States. As much as I disagree with his beliefs and positions, I must accept the vote of the American people and look to future discourse within our nation’s laws if I want to see change.

As a pastor of a church in Vermont, this election has shown me that my values ​​of love are not shared by most Americans. We have deep divisions in our understanding of human rights, civil liberty, common decency, and religious truth.

As a Christian, when I say God gave us a savior, I mean a man who preached that we should feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and heal the sick; he teaches us that when we lift up the poor and the oppressed, we honor him (Matthew 36:46). Now I must admit that my understanding of the savior is very different from many Christians today because they have just elected their savior into office on a platform that banishes the oppressed and turns a blind eye to their suffering.

It’s comforting to know I’m not the only one who feels this extreme anxiety. After seeing the state election results, I am deeply proud of Vermonters because while we may disagree on politics, our vote in my hometown of Georgia in the US Senate proves that we share similar ethical and moral values ​​of love Vermont is still a community that believes neighbors should love neighbors, and in my anxiety it means everything to know my neighbor loves me. This place of love is where justice is reborn in the universe.

I ask all who share my anxiety to channel that frustration into loving action. Unfortunately, I fear we will see a lot of injustice in the future. This incoming administration has promised mass deportations and military action against American citizens. Let’s hope it was just political rhetoric. The American people have decided the path of our nation, and it is up to Vermonters to decide the path of our state within the nation.

Please help our state be a moral example for America in times to come. Take your anxieties and fears and turn them into loving actions. Lift up the poor, the sick, the hungry, and the oppressed where we have the power to do so.

There are many good things to do here in Vermont. We are facing a housing and homelessness crisis and you can give to housing trusts and organizations like CVOEO, United Way, JUMP and COTS that serve the poor and homeless. As we struggle with social justice, please consider supporting groups like the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance and the Pride Center who are working to bring inclusion and equity to all Vermonters.

Please help keep the light of neighborly love alive and strong in Vermont. Love is the defining fabric of our Vermont community, and I predict that our love will be an example to the rest of the world.