Two days after President Trump stood in front of The St. John’s Episcopal Church, my grandmother called me and asked “Reggie, what did that mean when Trump stood in front of that church and held up that bible?” I couldn’t articulate my heart then but I can now. I imagine the way I felt watching our president hold the Bible in front of us is how enslaved Africans felt watching their slave masters hold the Bible in front of them.  

The Bible is a complicated sacred book. It has been used to dominate and liberate throughout history. Unfortunately, Trump is not the first nor the last person to hold the Bible in their hands and not embody the radical love of Jesus Christ in their heart.  You can hold a bible in your hand and have no love in your heart.  You can hold a bible in your hand and not value justice in your heart.  You can hold a bible in your hand and not have any compassion for people in your heart.

The Bible is filled with violence and peace; war and reconciliation; murder and resurrection. Holding a bible in your hand means nothing. My question is: Are the teachings of love, peace, reconciliation, and justice holding you?

My name is Reginald Sharpe Jr. and I approve this message. Let the people say Amen.