Date: Sunday, November 13, 2016
Jesus preaches: “The end is near!” He seems keenly aware of his own impending death and wants his disciples to know what is ahead for them if they follow him. Jesus understands his own death as ushering in the “Day of the Lord” as promised by the prophet Malachi. It will be both frightening and joyful, both judgment and salvation. “But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays.” Jesus warns his listeners that there will be awesome sights and mighty signs in the sky and on earth: destruction of the temple, wars, insurrections, earthquakes, famines and plagues. There will be division, persecution and inspired testimony. Remarkably as Jesus paints a tableau of the “end time,” he is very attentive to the day to day joys, concerns and worries of people along the way. He spends time with Martha & Mary and with Zacchaeus & his disreputable friends. Jesus blesses children and heals a blind beggar, heals 10 lepers and heals a crippled woman. Jesus strikes a balance between the apocalyptic end and our ongoing engagement in the world.
The recent election reveals a Divided United States of America. We are aware of the deep rift: the popular vote goes to one candidate and the electoral vote goes to the other candidate. We are perplexed but the tension of opposing visions of our nation was present at the beginning. I am no historian but I did read Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow. President George Washington had to balance two points of view espoused by Alexander Hamilton (trade, Federal Bank & strong central government) and Thomas Jefferson (a rural economy and states’ rights). At times things got nasty – not with tweets but with anonymous pamphlets where each side could impugn the ideas and the integrity of the opposition.
A discovery for me during this contentious campaign: we can admire and remain friendly with family and acquaintances that have opposing political points of view. We need not demonize. During the run-up to November 8th, America Magazine had an article entitled: “Civil Friendship for a Politically Polarized Election.” It is pertinent after the election to strive for “Civil Friendships” by participating in local politics, by striving to understand rather than just to persuade, and by working together collaboratively.
Archbishop John Carroll offered this “Prayer for the Nation” on November 10, 1791:
We pray Thee O God of might, wisdom, and justice! Through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude the President of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.
We pray for his Excellency, the governor of this state, for the members of the assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.
We recommend likewise, to Thy unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.