By BILL WATANABE
The writer in the biblical Book of Psalms, Chapter 10, cries to God about the rampant wickedness of violent men who believe there is no God. He asks God to:
“Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer,
Seek out his wickedness until you find no more”
The psalmist asks God to “break the arm of the wicked,” meaning for God to take away the strength and power of the unrighteous so they can no longer do harm. This is a prayer for our times!
We are in the midst of a dangerous threat to our democracy in America – a threat that emanates from the highest seat of power – in that we have a corrupt president who seeks all-consuming power, which in turn will foster greater corruption in our country and for the world.
Recently, the Supreme Court has ruled the president is “above the law” and can act officially and powerfully without any liability or guard rails.
The Congress is either in concert with the idea of an all-powerful ruler or are too afraid to act as a constitutionally mandated check and balance on the executive’s powers.
Despite the many biblical exhortations to “love the stranger” (meaning immigrants), this administration has chosen to make them the enemy, to be rounded up without due process and sent away. Another president in 1942, by executive order, made my family as part of the enemy and we were rounded up without due process to be shut away.
Granted, there was an actual war going on, but only a few voices (such as the Quakers) were courageous enough to support 125,000 people who unjustly lost their freedom.
Today is not the same as 1942. Now, there are many voices, even martyrs such as we saw in Minneapolis, willing to oppose this grab for immense power.
We as Americans must continue to what was mandated in the biblical Book of Micah to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly” before God. We must continue to speak up for the oppressed; to proclaim with the millions who have declared we will have “No Kings!”
But perhaps most importantly, we must pray to whatever higher power you ascribe — to break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer, until there are no more.
Bill Watanabe writes from Silverlake near Downtown Los Angeles and can be contacted at ybwatanabe@gmail.com. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of The Rafu Shimpo.