Email from friend in U.S. this morning:

The administration’s lethargic and callous response to the call after Hurricane Katrina, just like the president’s coldheartedness toward Cindy Sheehan, suggests that the people who govern us are as willing to invoke Jesus as their guide, their inspiration, even their “favorite philosopher,” as they are firmly unwilling to behave anything like Jesus.

“What would Jesus do?” has been a favorite slogan of Christians. It’s a rhetorical question, meant to display lofty concerns and stake the high ground. It’s not meant to be answered; in fact it’s usually not even asked in relation to the things Jesus cared about.

It’s time to put that question to better use.

A mother mourning the death of her son in that war asks for a chance to speak to the president about her grief, and to have her questions answered.

Thousands of men, women and children are left behind in the flood with no food, drinkable water or medical aid. What would Jesus do?

Would Jesus neglect to interrupt his vacation to meet the mother of a dead soldier, or abandon the people of a ravaged city? Would he promote tax breaks for the rich, undercut education, support the death penalty?

The answers are painfully easy. We know what Jesus would do, because he did do it, or talked about it in no uncertain terms. Jesus was for peace, for the poor, for the afflicted, for the children. . Anybody who denies this, or who argues that it’s possible to be a good Christian without adhering to these basic positions, is basically betraying Christ.

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