Mr. Christ, I read you as an infinitely patient entity who, as

"Mr. Christ, I read you as an infinitely patient entity who, as they say, often works in mysterious ways, a rebel unafraid to take the tougher, less traveled paths. Seems to me you're playing the long game. Is that why more states are coming out in favor of marriage equality? Is that why the Affordable Care Act is now with us?" These words, spoken by Henry Rollins, reveal a deep reflection on the nature of change, justice, and the path to equality. In invoking Christ as a symbol of patience and resilience, Rollins speaks to the timeless struggle of humanity to right the wrongs of society, to push back against injustice, and to challenge the forces that seek to maintain the status quo. In this reflection, Rollins highlights two significant victories—the rise of marriage equality and the passage of the Affordable Care Act—and questions whether they are part of a greater, long game being played by forces of good.

Christ, throughout the ages, has been seen as a rebel, one who defied the established norms of his time, challenging the authority of the ruling classes and the deeply entrenched systems of inequality. In his ministry, he walked the roads less traveled, seeking out the marginalized, the oppressed, and the outcast, offering them hope and justice. His was a revolutionary path, not one of immediate triumph, but of slow, patient transformation. The long game, as Rollins calls it, was not about conquering in the moment, but about setting in motion the kind of changes that would reverberate through the ages. It was about sowing the seeds of compassion, understanding, and equality, which would grow in time to challenge the very structures of oppression.

This idea of a long game has echoed throughout history. Consider the story of Mahatma Gandhi, whose peaceful resistance against British colonial rule in India did not seek immediate victory, but rather the slow, steady erosion of colonial power. Gandhi knew that true freedom would come not through force, but through the persistence of non-violent resistance, and the unwavering belief in the moral right of the oppressed. Like Christ, Gandhi played the long game, knowing that the road to true justice would be paved not by a single battle, but by generations of struggle and sacrifice. And in the end, his patience and perseverance brought about the independence of India—a victory that was not won overnight, but one that has shaped the course of history.

The rise of marriage equality and the passage of the Affordable Care Act in modern times reflect the same kind of long game that Rollins attributes to Christ. Both were not easily won. They were battles fought over decades, with oppositional forces fighting to maintain the old order. The fight for marriage equality saw many years of legal battles, protests, and activism, with LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies demanding the right to marry, to love freely, and to be treated with the same respect as everyone else. The passage of the Affordable Care Act was no less a revolution, challenging an entrenched healthcare system that left millions without access to basic care. These victories, Rollins suggests, are part of a larger movement, one that seeks to create a more just and equal society—a movement that Christ himself might recognize, as it seeks to expand the circle of human dignity and justice.

And yet, Rollins’ words remind us that such changes are often slow, and they are not always immediately recognized as progress. Christ, like the movements for marriage equality and healthcare reform, did not receive immediate acclaim or victory. His challenge to the powers that be was met with resistance, with ridicule, and ultimately, with death. But his message, his legacy, has endured, growing in power over the centuries, until it became the foundation of Western thought on justice, compassion, and human rights. Similarly, the changes we see today—whether in the recognition of same-sex marriage or the guaranteeing of healthcare to millions—are part of a larger journey toward a society that truly lives up to its ideal of equality for all. These victories are not endpoints, but stepping stones along the way.

The lesson we draw from Rollins’ reflection is a call to action, but also to patience. In a world where change often feels urgent, where justice seems so distant and out of reach, we must remember that true transformation often comes in small, incremental steps. Like Christ, we must be willing to walk the long road, knowing that each step we take, each battle we fight, is part of a larger movement toward a better world. We must resist the temptation to give in to despair or frustration when progress feels slow. Instead, we must trust that the seeds we plant today will bear fruit in time, and that every effort, no matter how small, brings us closer to the world we seek.

In our own lives, let us commit to the long game of justice and equality. Let us not be swayed by setbacks or obstacles, but continue to fight for the rights of those who are still oppressed, whether they are LGBTQ+ individuals, minorities, or those without access to basic healthcare. Let us walk the path less traveled, just as Christ did, and seek out those who are marginalized and ignored, offering them the hope of equality and human dignity. We may not see the full fruits of our labor in our lifetimes, but we can trust that our actions will set the foundation for the future, just as the great figures of history did before us. The journey toward justice is long, but it is one worth taking.