The Subversive Jesus Who Reached Out for the Poor, Marginalized & Outcast

This isn't a satirical cartoon. I just wanted to make a cartoon for Easter.

Over the past 2 decades, I've gotten into so many conflicts with conservative Christians who say I'm not a true Christian, I'm uncomfortable calling myself a Christian now.

But I believe in God and I like and admire Jesus.  I just don't believe in a fundamentalist Christian version of God and Jesus.

I love the subversive Jesus who reached out to the poor, the marginalized, the outcast.  

I believe that Jesus would be with today's detained immigrant, trans person, and all those who are being targeted and harassed by right wing autocrats.

My views were shaped in the 1970s and 1980s, during the time when John Paul II clashed with the progressive Catholics that wanted to further the Vatican II reforms.  I admired the priests, nuns and lay people who were risking their lives to defend the poor against right wing autocracies in The Philippines and Latin America. I admire the Liberation Theologists who argued that the Latin American Church should always be on the side of the oppressed and not the oppressor.

Though I'm no longer a Catholic, those progressive Catholics remain a lasting influence on my way of thinking.

I've found something that I love in every church that I've attended.  I love the Evangelical emphasis on a personal relationship with Jesus, the Quaker emphasis on valuing our inner light, the Presbyterian social justice community.

I like what Pope Francis said about wanting a church that is not just a sanctuary for saints, but is also a hospital for sinners.

There's an article by Carol Glatz for The National Catholic Reporter (https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/true-parish-welcomes-everyone-spreads…):

"'A true parish' is where 'we all learn to say 'Welcome,' not only with words, but with a spirit of hospitality, opening the door and welcoming everyone,' he said, speaking to members of the community during his first visit to a parish in his Diocese of Rome...

...'Unfortunately, even today, many clouds still darken the world, with the spread of ideas contrary to the Gospel, which exalt the supremacy of the strongest, encourage arrogance and fuel the seduction of victory at all costs, deaf to the cries of those who suffer and those who are defenseless,' the pope said.

'Let us oppose this tendency with the disarming power of meekness, continuing to ask for peace, and to welcome and cultivate its gift with tenacity and humility, he said.

...'This is one of the many signs of an authentic Christian community, of a true parish,' he said, emphasizing the need to receive 'anyone who comes: Catholic, non-Catholic, believer, non-believer.'"

Here is Mary's Magnificat from the Gospel of Luke:

"He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty."