I recently traveled to Minnesota to visit family. I attended a local church service where the priest offered a sermon on the difficult times in the country. He noted that parents are afraid to take their children to school. Families are afraid to go to work, to buy groceries, even to come to church. He emphasized that as Christians, we cannot look away. To follow Jesus means to engage in concrete acts of compassion, by showing our neighbors they are loved and belong. It means demonstrating by our actions that our neighbor’s human dignity is defended because every person is created in the image and likeness of God.

On Palm Sunday, Jesus did not enter the city as a ruler or conqueror. He came riding a donkey, a symbol of humility and peace. He came to draw attention to those who are most vulnerable—the stranger, the poor, the one who is afraid.

On Palm Sunday, March 29, members and clergy from dozens of Christian churches in Lane County will take part in a nationwide event to reclaim Christianity from authoritarianism and White Christian nationalism. We will publicly celebrate Jesus’ command to “Love Your Neighbor.” 

The local event will begin at 2 p.m. at First Christian Church, 1166 Oak St. in Eugene, to sing songs of peace and then walk to the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza. All are welcome. Please join us in this action.

Daniel Close
Eugene