The most vulnerable carry the heaviest burden of this pandemic. Congress must act.
These Appalachian Mountains tell a story. They tell the story of verdant hillsides and whispering creeks, and the perseverance of God’s grandeur. They also speak of culture, hard-working communities, resilience and resurrection. But these mountains tell of another story too, one far uglier and more indicting of our nation. That story is one of outside exploitation, systemic scapegoating, and perennial political promise-breaking; of our vulnerable communities carrying the heaviest burden of this nation’s sins—economic greed and environmental degradation.
As a minister in Eastern Kentucky, I see the effects of this complex story continue to play out before my eyes. Many people struggle to put food on the table, find gainful employment, and access adequate healthcare. The pandemic only heightens these challenges. And now, Washington threatens the Post Office while we still lack reliable county-wide internet access and cell phone coverage!
Today, this is our nation’s story, and it’s a familiar one: the most vulnerable in our society are carrying the heaviest burden of this pandemic.
In our country, a staggering 23 million people are at risk for eviction. Vital state and local services are on the brink of collapse. The clock has already run out on the critical $600 additional unemployment aid. Black and brown communities continue to be disproportionately harmed by the virus. Our grandparents are dying. And the relief legislation we need is stalled in Congress.
As a Christian and faith leader, I cannot sit idly while Congress fails to act on behalf of those hardest hit by this pandemic.
In the 25th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus explains that on the day of judgment, everyone will be separated into two groups. The first group consists of those who cared for the least in their society—those who fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, welcomed the stranger, clothed the naked, cared for the sick, and visited the imprisoned. The second group is those who neglected to attend to the poor and marginalized, who failed to advocate on their behalf. Both groups are judged. Only one finds eternal reward.
The straightforward words of Jesus make it difficult to imagine that his followers failed to grasp the seriousness of their obligation to care for most vulnerable in their midst. Jesus was perfectly clear about his expectations and criteria for judgment: “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me… what you did not do for one of the least ones, you did not do for me.”
The implications of this basic Christian tenet extend beyond one’s private spiritual life; for the Christian, this animates the fundamental paradigm for political and public engagement. In other words, how the most at risk are treated in this society during this pandemic is not only a question of personal faith but of faithful citizenship and political duty.
At this moment of gross political inertia, it is important to remind all members of Congress, and especially those who have a particular role to play like Senator McConnell, that their inaction harms the most vulnerable members of our community. This is unacceptable.
We must say to Congress unambiguously: Your policy will not be judged by how closely it sticks to a party line or by how the rich benefit. Your legislation will not be measured by how well it maintains the status quo or panders to the president. No, the seriousness of this pandemic has made us outgrow such superficial judgments.
Rather, this is how faithful citizens in Kentucky are compelled to judge your actions: How do they affect the least, the marginalized, and most hurting among us?
Does your legislation extend unemployment assistance, increase SNAP benefits, and support food banks so our families will not go hungry? Will your bill save the people in the cities, suburbs, and hollers threatened by eviction? Can black and brown communities count on your protection? Will your actions sustain the life-saving services of frontline health care facilities? Do you prioritize the needs of children, the elderly, immigrants, and those with disabilities?
How will you, through your federal powers, take care of the most vulnerable in our country?
For our elected leaders to continue down the road of inaction or push this crisis off on struggling states is nothing less than dereliction of duty. Additionally, to pursue legislation that willfully underserves the most vulnerable in our society is an assault on the very people Scripture obliges us to care for. Indeed, the Gospel sets a clear standard in this regard: Lift up the lowly. Fill the hungry with good things. Send the rich away empty-handed. Repeat. (Lk 1:46-55)
It is past time for Congress to pass another COVID-19 relief bill. The least among us are us: our children, neighbors, parents. Stalling, bickering, and blame-gaming can no longer masquerade as public service.
Joshua van Cleef serves as the Coordinator for Peace and Justice for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky. He is the Parish Life Director of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Jackson, Kentucky.