We are so quick to proclaim a Palm Sunday attitude, celebrating and shouting Hosanna as we proclaim the love of God in Jesus Christ. We love to celebrate Jesus’ life-giving love as it pertains to our well-being. But, in the face of the perils of society – the isms that offer persecution (racism, sexism, homophobia, etc), there’s a question that we must ask. Why, Church, are we so often silent?

The Church has not always done the best at proclaiming life for its neighbors. From the crusades, to the witch trials, to colonialism … the Church has often been the cause of death. One might wonder, how would we respond if we heard the stories of those persecuted and killed by the church? Luke seems to think we wouldn’t care. If we didn’t heed the words of Moses and the prophets before killing them, why would we care after hearing their stories again? Why, Church, do we not listen?

The toxicness of institutionalism and nationalism have so perverted the church, that we’ve become comfortable creating country clubs in place of churches. We like to control who is in and who is out. We like to determine who gets seats of honor and who is welcome at the table. Jesus has thoughts, and so the question is worth asking, Why, Church, Have We Become a Country Club?

The Biblical text is full of guiding words to help govern the life of the church disciple, and the work of the Church. Every bit of this guidance is to help the church proclaim a witness of God’s love in and God’s will for the world. Yet, instead of focusing on God’s will and God’s love, we often structure the church for the furtherance of the institution. Why, Church, are we so institutionally focused?

While in the wilderness, the devil tempted Jesus to worship him by offering him authority over all the kingdoms of the world. Jesus refused, quoting Scripture’s declaration, “The Lord is God; the Lord alone.” Yet, since the days of Constantine, the Church has welcomed the power of the empire. Why, Church? Why are we so hungry for power?

As the season of Lent begins, we consider the question: “Why, Church?” The dual punctuations, the question mark with the comma, invites a very different answer than the question “Why Church?” The comma adds an extra pause and an invitation to reflection. Like Lent, the comma invites us to spend a bit of time looking at the motive, not just the action.