Woe to the United States
A Poetic Contextualization of Isaiah 10, Particularly “Woe to Assyria” (10:5)
By Grant Showalter-Swanson
Woe to the United States –
the guns wielded by ICE –
awash in blood and murder
always made excusable
by a tyrannical regime –
elicits God’s fury.
Woe to the political leaders who make morally wrong policies –
weaponizing the law to oppress the migrant and the powerless;
shielding themselves from the consequences of their wrongdoings.
Woe to the power players of unbridled capitalism
who prioritize the (b)(tr)illionaires and corporations
over the ability of the rest of us to survive –
the infinite wealth of a few
over the livelihood of the many.
Woe to the christians who blaspheme the name of Christ
to justify white Christian Nationalism
and a heretical theology of civil religion –
attributing God’s blessing to the economic
and military might of the United States –
for the benefit of an administration determined
to eliminate electoral democracy
and maintain power-over
indefinitely.
Woe to the MAGA base –
and any republicans, independents, democrats, and non-voters –
who have opted into the group-think
and mind control of a fascist
and authoritarian curation of reality.
Woe to the U.S. citizens who stand by –
apathy and agreement both leading to death –
as the Trump administration
robs the poor
plunders the middle class
reduces health care access and
eliminates health care subsidies
abuses children
controls the bodies of women
demonizes Trans/Queer people
dehumanizes non-white people
criminalizes migrants
colonizes sovereign lands
coerces foreign leaders
justifies genocide
rapes the Earth
and kills with impunity.
God demands that we ask ourselves:
what will you do on the day of judgement
when you must account for your active—
or passive— participation in this regime?
When there is no way to flee from God
behind wealth, religious platitudes,
or feigned obliviousness?
God promises eventual justice,
for those who oppressed,
hated, or were ambivalent
toward their neighbor?
Neighbor: defined by Jesus
as anyone we encounter,
especially those in need.
Repent.
Be transformed by the Spirit.
And live in love toward your neighbor, as yourself.
But for those who suffer under this tyrannical regime –
for those who speak out and put their lives on the line
for their neighbors –
do not be afraid.
God promises that the yoke of suffering and oppression
will be removed from your shoulders
and destroyed from this world
in the final realization
of God’s peaceable Kingdom
on Earth as in Heaven.
Lord,
may Your will be done,
enacted and embodied
through us, the body of Christ.
Amen.
Deacon Grant 