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| Roses make a break for it. |
Into whatever house you enter,
first say, 'Peace to this household.'
If a peaceful person lives there,
your peace will rest on him;
but if not, it will return to you.
first say, 'Peace to this household.'
If a peaceful person lives there,
your peace will rest on him;
but if not, it will return to you.
Each presidential and congressional election is the most important one of your lifetime. They’re billed that way by every candidate, and it’s true. Just as “Today is the first day of the rest of your life” and “Breathing is the most important thing you’ll do today.”
Elections, conducted in this country in the same month when Christians consider “death and judgment, heaven and hell,” are the peaceful revolutions we use to avoid violent revolutions. So long as we do them well, we will never need armed insurrection. We the people stand in judgment of our leaders, their policies and their decisions. Rightly or not, we also assess their personal lives and decide if they represent our best values. Elections are stressful and tiresome, but not nearly as painful as civil war.
Under such stress some people think they will not be able to live if certain candidates win or if certain laws pass. Americans typically threaten to move to Canada; Canadians, to Ireland; Irish, to England; and English to France. After the election, when their candidates lose, they usually decide to wait and see.
Jesus, as Saint Luke tells us, urges us to retain our peace during these stressful moments. We must remember he has sent us here; we’re not free to fly to the mountains like a bird (Psalm 11:1) when we’re frightened or disappointed. We are the Presence of Christ, his shekina; that is, the blessing, holiness and grace of God. We are God’s yeast in the dough, his salt and light. If, on occasion, we lose his peaceful spirit we should only wait a while and it will return.
On this feast of Saint Luke we remember his magnificent book, which might be called “Gospel/Acts.” In the first part we hear of Jesus’ saving ministry in Galilee and Jerusalem; in the second, we hear of his saving work from Jerusalem to “the ends of the earth,” as it is carried out by his disciples. They received his peace in the Gospel and retained it throughout their Acts. Not only did it remain with them, it directed them, offering sure and certain guidance when things got confusing.
The peace of Christ does not urge us to abandon the world. We must still be engaged in family, church, business and politics precisely because his peace abides in our hearts.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.