GO TEAM USA! (A reflection on John 6)

Did you catch the women’s water polo or rugby match this week? or maybe you have focused on some of the pool action? I love sports. I have enjoyed watching fencing, archery, and kayaking, too. Whenever the USA is in a match, I am proudly cheering USA… USA….USA.

But my cheering doesn’t end with the USA. I became a big fan of the women’s archery team from Mexico and really wanted the women’s French team to beat Italy in the gold medal epee event.

The difference between nationalism and patriotism is simple. Nationalism believes that your identity is superior to others while patriotism should uplift the joy you personally have in being a part of a community. Your joy is valid, but does not limit the joy others can have. This is why I love the Olympics. We can enjoy sports, and at the end of the match players shake hands.

Because it’s only a game, and can bring cultures and people together. Even outside of athletes coming together, it has been a lot of fun watching Americans rally behind Snoop Dog and Flavor flav. These two were counter-cultural voices 25 years ago. They spoke words against the dominant culture and US policies. Now the cameras find them more in Paris than Simone Biles!

In John 6, Jesus uses the bread of life imagery…

Just like today, different religions, ethnicities, and cultures fought for superiority over one another 2,000 years ago. Jesus says it wasn’t Moses who gave you bread, but the Father. Much of the early Christian tradition sought to overcome the barriers created by ethnicities and religious traditions (and what we call nationalities today). Because the Father is the Father to ALL of humanity and the creator of the whole world.

Within the early Christian community, there were conflicts among Jews and between Jews and Gentiles. Being a direct theological descendant of a specific prophet did not improve your position in God’s eyes. Just like today being American is no more special than being French, South Sudanese, or Chinese. We can still cheer on our home town favorites and rejoice in our own blessings, but by no means does that make us superior to others.

In the United States, the plague of Christian Nationalism continues to infect our congregations and communities. A desire to be superior than one another is based on the false notion that Christian, white, Americans received a blessing that nobody else could have received, and the more others conform (out of choice or force) then they will receive the blessing like us. But the blessing didn’t come from Moses - it came from God, and God seeks to bestow blessings upon all of humanity. God has provided enough food on all the earth, but our greed and fear lead to hoarding of food that creates hunger. A culture of greed and fear are to blame for the brokenness in our world not a culture that accepts and honors diversity.

Ephesians 4:1-16 lifts up the diversity of the body of Christ. Beloved community must embrace different ideals, values, and gifts. We don’t want Ashleigh Johnson (US. Women’s Water Polo goalie) trying to win archery this year - team USA needs her in goal!

The diversity of humanity is on display in the Olympics right now. God created a diverse tapestry of humanity that reflects the beauty of God, and it should be celebrated not hidden or feared. For our blessings come from the Father, not our chosen political, theological, or cultural leaders.