The days of this year are waning and I am drawn to reflection. Now halfway through my 60th year on this earth, I again am surprised by the behaviors of my fellow humans. We the people, the majority of those voting in heavily laden electoral vote states, are apparently fed up with the status quo. I get that, I mean I really get that. Our country is in gridlock. Our pattern of politics has been perverted by money in oh so many ways and warped until it is unrecognizable. Change is needed. I am not sure if the people who will now govern will bring the change so many hopefor, only time will tell.
What I have not understood is the vitriol, the inherent meanness and the small mindedness, in my opinion, of those who prevailed. I lay a great deal of the blame for this on the President-elect, but he does not stand alone in creating this sorry state. Sadly, the core concepts that prevailed in the election are part of a battle that has raged on since time in memoriam. The difference between the individual and a might makes right mindset and the alternative view that the social contract should cover virtually all situations. As to the validity of either stance I note that my friend Nate said to me many times, what you see is dependent on where you are standing. There is more than a little truth in that kernel.
While I am in the minority at this juncture I am still a believer in equality, egalitarianism and social justice. I am also a believer in a Constitution that evolves just as life in our country has evolved. I believe that compassion is an imperative. I believe respect is mandatory. Ultimately I do not believe truth can be manufactured, it exists and should not be buried.
I wish all my friends on all sides of the political spectrum from libertarian to conservative to middle grounders to liberals to socialists to anarchists the best this holiday season. May your choice of celebrations from Solstice to Festivus be rewarding. I will celebrate Christmas this year for I am a person of that faith. I may not be a Lutheran for much longer but I do believe I will hold on to my Christian faith, albeit tempered with some Buddhist constructs. I will hold tight to that series of my Lord’s admonitions, Matthew 25:31-45
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? ’The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
Best to you, live life offering mercy, living justice and practicing compassion. Merry Christmas.
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