This blog post was originally published in the October 30th, 2020 edition of the Christ Church Waltham E-Crier.

Can you be a Peacemaker after the Elections? 
In 4 days, the voting will come to an end. As polls close, we will be glued to the TVs and Social media to await the results with great expectations and untold fears. Then what?

I am afraid of the "then what" question. Our nation is highly and fearfully divided at the time when the COVID pandemic is claiming American lives, and infections are breaking historic records daily. We need to be one to fight the pandemic but the results of this election will badly and arrogantly divide us.

Recent reports that other nations are set to sow chaos in our beloved nation is fiercely threatening. They are set to make us doubt the results, they want us to protest should our candidate lose. The attacks on our hospitals' computers at the time when COVID 19 is daily killing our fellow citizens in masses increases the vulnerability. Losers will surely protest the results, while winners will celebrate the victory. Afraid of super COVID 19 spreader events, the post-election activities await. But so will be violent protests.

What role are we going to play in the aftermath of this election? Can we be Christians in a badly divided nation? Can we work for peace without losing sight of injustice? Can we embrace people whose visions of a better America is different from ours? Can we remain faithful to gospel values when we believe the victory is stolen?

Reading the beatitudes may suggest that Jesus expects us to be passive observers of injustice. Such reading of scripture ignores that God is a proactive liberator of the oppressed. The biblical God invites us to be each other's keepers. This invitation is not limited to those in our socio-political circles but extends to all humanity. It is for this reason that Jesus placed a love for the neighbor as one of the two most important ideals of the Kingdom. We love our neighbor because God commands us to do so. We can't negotiate on love--thus we must humanize and see God in each other.

Our feelings may force us to deny our common humanity with those who won't vote like us. I am not opposed to differences but concerned that we may ignore the fact that all of us are made in the image of God. I invite you to pledge to peace regardless of our political views or election results. We are all God's peacemakers and our baptismal vows call us to defend and protect "the dignity of every human being." Jesus commanded us to love even our enemies.

Remember to prayerfully VOTE; then stay safe and pray for peace.

-Rev. Kapya Kaoma