civic responsibility

I know that I can’t read the book of Leviticus and think I’m supposed to literally do what it says. The time of blood sacrifices and certain eating prohibitions and ceremonial uncleanness is past.

I also know that it’s important to read Leviticus because the principles behind God’s instructions still apply. God doesn’t change, and neither does his guidance.

So I feel conflicted when I read Leviticus 5:1: “'If anyone sins because they do not speak up when they hear a public charge to testify regarding something they have seen or learned about, they will be held responsible.”

I prefer to stay out of things. I don’t want to speak up regarding accusations people make against each other. I don’t want to get involved, I just want to keep my head down.

I want to interpret this verse narrowly and say, “Well, if I ever know something about a court case or legal charge, of course I’ll speak up.” I suspect, though, that God is telling me something about my responsibility as a citizen. I suspect that when there is public discourse on issues where I can speak truth from my own experience, I’m called to do that.

That means I can’t avoid those conversations on entitlements anymore, not when I work with so many young mothers struggling even with a little help and a job. I can’t avoid those conversations about immigration, because I have legal immigrant friends who have illegal immigrant family members here too, and I know why and what they face. When so many just repeat what they’ve heard, I can speak from experience and by doing so add some of the nuance that makes these issues way more complex than just building a wall and making Mexico pay for it.

If I don’t speak up, this verse says, then I bear some responsibility for the bad answers society comes up with. Once again, responsible citizenship and obedient service are the same thing.

Good to remember in an election year.