Kingdom of God or Empire
- Robert van Mourik
- Mar 24
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 19
The Spanish theologian Jose Pagola writes the principal reason Jesus lived on earth was to proclaim the existence of the reign or kingdom of God. Words connoting a life of mercy, justice and compassion for all - not at some time in the future - but now. [1] By proclaiming and living these values Jesus antagonised both the Roman hierarchy and the religious hierarchy. An itinerant, Jesus travelled the countryside often at risk and in danger. Ultimately, these powers combined forces to kill him as a dangerous man. [2]
While Christianity throughout its history has done much to help, feed and educate many, its own growth has been fostered since the time of the Council of Nicaea by its alignment with the State. Wars have been waged and conquests made relying on the legitimacy provided by the Christian religion. Unfortunately, this organisational growth in wealth and power has also fostered in some a blindness to the message Jesus preached about the kingdom of God.
On the home page of our website, we have written about the importance of consciousness in spirituality, an understanding that there are differing levels of awareness leading to different worldviews. This article below has been provided to us by Michael Furtado seeking support for a petition. It provides an all-too-common example of a loss of sight of the kingdom of God and its real meaning.
Can you imagine attending a speech by Donald Trump and comparing it to "high liturgy"? Well, that's what Bishop Robert Barron just did.
Barron, the bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester in Minnesota, attended Trump's address to a joint session of Congress at the request of a Republican representative earlier this month. In a video he released afterward, he gushed about his experience meeting all of Trump's far-right allies and declared the occasion a "liturgy of democracy."
He then proceeded to admonish Representative Al Green and others who chose to protest the hateful, anti-Christian policies of the Trump regime.
Bishop Barron chose access to power and privilege over his Christian calling to speak truth to power. By reflecting on Trump's address with reverence and scolding protestors standing up for the oppressed, Bishop Barron created the illusion that Trump's inhumane policies have the blessing of the Catholic Church -- when nothing could be further from the truth.
Nearly every decree from the Trump regime runs directly contrary to Jesus' call to love our neighbor. Christian leadership everywhere must be bold and clear about this.
Compare Barron's response to Trump to that of the actual leader of the Catholic Church: Pope Francis demonstrated the bold, prophetic leadership needed in these times by issuing a public rebuke to Trump and J.D. Vance for their inhumane immigration policies and misguided understanding of what Christian love means. And it's not just the pope -- we've shared how several Catholic bishops have stepped up and reaffirmed their commitments to the immigrant, the refugee, and the poor.
Bishop Barron has tried to have it both ways for a while now. While he is quick to applaud and praise Trump's anti-trans edicts publicly, he has gone so far as to threaten news publications with lawsuits for implying his closeness to Trump.
Barron claims to be a "cheerleader for Catholic social teaching," not for Republicans. Yet when he went to Washington DC, he had the ear of several of Trump's Christofascist architects, including Representative Riley Moore, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. He had the opportunity to be a prophetic voice for the poor, the immigrant, and the outcast, as Catholic social teaching encourages. Instead, he was "thrilled" and "honored" to meet Trump's allies, clearly eager to be among the politically powerful.
Grassroots Catholics of good conscience and their ecumenical allies are already standing up and calling Bishop Barron to repentance.
As one of our Facebook community members wrote when protesting Bishop Barron's appearance at their local parish recently:
"[Bishop Barron's] presence at that address is, of course, his affair. However, his remarks concerning his presence at the address after the fact, in which he refers to the address, repeatedly, as “High Liturgy”. This is beyond offensive. It is very clear to me that the bishop has gone FAR beyond his right to free expression of his faith into using his position and his media profile to elevate the Republican Party in general, and Donald Trump in particular, to the level of the Pope and the Holy Catholic Church."
We are grateful for all the Faithful America members in our Facebook community who expressed their outrage and brought this to our attention.
Now, let's show Bishop Barron that grassroots Catholics and ecumenical allies across the country want him to follow Pope Francis' example and stand up to Trump and his Christofascist allies.
Thank you for everything you do to love your neighbor and speak truth to power.
In peace,- Christina (she/her), Karli (she/her), Rev. Hunter (he/him), and the Faithful America team
To learn more about Faithful America, see here.
FAQs: Kingdom of God or Empire
What does Robert van Mourik mean by “Kingdom of God” as opposed to empire?
Van Mourik contrasts two ways of life: the Kingdom of God which is rooted in mercy, justice and compassion happening now, and empire which is power aligned with wealth, status and institutional dominance. Jesus lived and preached values that threatened both political and religious authorities of his day. This Kingdom ethic invites followers to centre love and justice over power. (Source: Article; Jose Pagola theology studies)
How has Christianity’s history shown signs of aligning with empire?
Since the Council of Nicaea, Christian institutions in many places have gained political power, aligned with states and empire interests. Van Mourik argues that this alignment has sometimes blinded churches to Jesus’ message of radical compassion. Historical research confirms that Christianity grew rapidly where it partnered with rulers and state structures, but often at cost of marginalized people. (Source: Historical theologians; Pew Research on religion and power)
Why does van Mourik argue Christian leadership must be prophetic today?
He suggests Christian leaders have duty to speak truth to power, especially when policy or public rhetoric undermines vulnerable communities. In the article, van Mourik criticises Bishop Robert Barron for choices that seem to valorize power and privilege rather than the poor. Prophetic leadership means courage, willingness to risk reputation, and clarity about values. Studies show that societies where religious leaders speak out for justice tend to have stronger social cohesion. (Source: Peters et al on religion and civic trust; article examples)
What role does awareness or consciousness play in choosing Kingdom values over empire values?
Van Mourik links awareness to worldview - the way we see reality shapes our choices. He refers to differing levels of awareness in spirituality: empire values tend to align with unconscious allegiance to power, while Kingdom values arise from awakened awareness of suffering, justice and compassion. Psychological studies suggest that increased mindfulness or ethical reflection raise willingness to act for social justice. (Source: Social psychology research; A St Lucia Spirituality perspective)
How can readers live the Kingdom of God in concrete ways today?
You can begin by aligning daily life with justice and compassion - choosing to serve rather than be served, speaking up for those who are unheard, and prioritizing the needy over prestige. It means giving voice to refugees, standing for immigrant rights, caring for environment, resisting policies that harm people. Van Mourik praises Pope Francis for speaking out on immigration and the poor as example. Small acts sustained over time form a counter-culture of kingdom living.
At St Lucia Spirituality we believe the journey is richer when it’s shared. If you’re seeking a place to explore questions, practice mindfulness, or simply belong to an inclusive spiritual community, we invite you to join us. From online discussion groups and meditation gatherings to our growing library of resources, there’s space here for every seeker. Step into the conversation, connect with others, and discover how community can nurture your spiritual growth.
About the Author - Robert Van Mourik
Drawing inspiration from luminaries such as Anthony de Mello, Richard Rohr, Diarmuid O’Murchu, and Ilia Delio, Robert's quest for spiritual truth has been shaped by the wisdom gleaned from countless authors and mentors. Their insights have served as guiding beacons, illuminating the path towards deeper understanding and connection.
It was in the shared bond of seeking spiritual growth that Robert first crossed paths with John, their encounters over coffee in 2012 marking the genesis of a transformative journey. These intimate gatherings, fuelled by conversations on influential books and the evolving landscape of their perspectives, soon blossomed into vibrant small groups and virtual meetings on platforms like Zoom.
Through newsletters, discussion papers, and a shared commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue, Robert has played an instrumental role in nurturing the thriving community of seekers within St Lucia Spirituality. His dedication to facilitating growth, exploration, and connection reflects the essence of the community's ethos - a journey of discovery and transformation, embarked upon together.
Footnotes:
[1] Why did Jesus die?, Robert van Mourik July 2023
[2] Original Sin or Blessing, Robert van Mourik April 2023
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