Rev. Raphael Warnock, the junior senator of Georgia and pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, recently expressed concern about the emotional and spiritual state of the nation, describing it as one of ‘soul weariness’ during an appearance on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.’
During the discussion, Warnock revealed that he will be preaching on Easter Sunday and reflected on the struggles that many Americans have been facing.
He noted, ‘I think people are feeling pretty soul weary. Folks in my business try to capture it with these goals, right track, wrong track? I think those questions are important, but they don’t really get to the heart of what’s going on. There’s a kind of angst, and you feel it.’
Warnock attributed this sense of weariness to several significant factors, including the trauma of three years of the COVID-19 pandemic that claimed over a million lives, two decades of war, and increasing hate and division in society.
‘We really haven’t taken stock of what has happened to us,’ Warnock pointed out, emphasizing the absence created by a million lost lives. ‘That’s a lot of empty chairs around tables all across the country.’
Despite acknowledging the challenges, he also remained hopeful for the future. ‘But I remain hopeful. I really do.’
In a broader discussion of hope, Warnock emphasized its importance, stating, ‘Hope is everything. When you lose hope, you stop fighting.’
He then criticized current congressional efforts to pass what he perceives as ‘a rather immoral budget,’ arguing that it essentially robs from the poor to benefit the rich.
‘A budget is not just a fiscal document; it’s a moral document,’ he remarked, suggesting that some desire to ‘weaponize despair’ by offering cuts that disproportionately harm vulnerable communities.
Colbert highlighted that the proposed budget cuts would significantly affect American seniors, veterans, children, and individuals with disabilities. In response to this, Warnock referenced scripture, mentioning that there are over 2,000 verses in the Bible emphasizing proper treatment of the less fortunate.
He quoted Matthew 25, explaining, ‘Inasmuch as you have done it onto the least of these, you have done it also unto me.’
Warnock added, ‘What I try to do in my preaching and in my work in the Senate is center the most marginalized members of the human family. Give ordinary people a chance. Not only is that the right thing to do, but as it turns out, very often the right thing to do is the smart thing to do.’
The senator also shared his views on the Biden administration’s tariff policies, expressing concerns that current strategies could adversely affect everyday Americans.
Warnock conveyed that the sentiments of constituents often do not align with tariff policies, deeming them ‘pretty random’ and ‘indiscriminate.’ He warned that these tariffs effectively act as a sales tax on the average populace, while focusing efforts on providing tax cuts for billionaires.
He surmised, ‘If you talked to the people in Georgia, it certainly doesn’t add up.’
Colbert pointed out that tariffs were initially introduced as a way to bring manufacturing back to America, yet the current objectives seem to have shifted towards negotiating trade deals, to which Warnock agreed, stating, ‘We’re not sure what the president wants.’
In addition to his senatorial work, Warnock is launching a new children’s book titled ‘We’re In This Together: Leo’s Lunchbox,’ set to be released next week. The narrative depicts a young boy tackling food insecurity.
He explained, ‘This is a story about a kid who’s tired of those bologna sandwiches. One night, something happens, and his mom gets him this lunchbox, and he goes to school. And in the midst of sharing, something happens, and the kids learn a valuable lesson.’
The tale draws inspiration from the biblical miracle of the loaves and fishes with the message that by sharing, everyone can have enough to eat.
Warnock hopes the book will foster a sense of community among children, teaching values of generosity, empathy, and caring for one another.
In a light-hearted moment, Colbert suggested that perhaps the book should also be distributed to all 535 members of Congress.
Ebenezer Baptist Church will hold an in-person service at 10 a.m. on Easter Sunday, with an additional online service at noon. The launch of Warnock’s children’s book ‘We’re In This Together: Leo’s Lunchbox’ is scheduled for Tuesday.
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