Not Trump's America

I don't do a lot with politics on this blog, but there are a few things I feel moved to say in this post-election, pre-Advent, almost-Thanksgiving season.

Protesters are out in the streets with signs that declare "Not my president," while headlines blare "Trump's America." Here's a thought:  he is the president whether you like it or not. Be the light, be the love, don't leave it up to the president or anyone else. Will he do some damage to the country? Sure will. Just like every other president has done, some more overtly, some covertly. Will he do some good? Probably, just like even our worst presidents have done. 

Do you have to like him? Of course not. But you do have to use your conscience and live your life according to the Law of Love -- well you don't HAVE to, but it really is the only way to a) keep your sanity, b) not alienate others, and instead c) educate with your life, love, and willingness to dialogue with others.

Another thought:  it's only "Trump's America" according to the media. Have you already given up all hope and given over to rage and anti-personism? (I just made that word up but I think it fits.) Will you point the finger at everyone and scream blame and injustice and with a smug air declare yourself better than anyone who voted for him for any reason? Hm. How is that helping, exactly? 

(I also happen to think that the media and the now-outed false news sites have stoked the fires that Trump was more than happy to capitalize on in order to become some kind of folk hero and get elected. But that leans outside the scope of this post.)

I've begun a prayer practice of opening to the psalms every morning and reading which ever one(s) presents itself. Even if it is one of the not-so-uplifting psalms, I read it and pray with it. St. Benedict designed the original Psalter so that within one week, his monks (and later, nuns) would have read all 150 psalms. That includes the not-so-joyful ones, the ones calling for vengeance, the lamentations, as well as the ones glorifying God, giving thanks, and praising God with all of Creation. I've adapted this idea to my lay woman's prayer life. 

I read whatever the Holy Spirit puts in front of me, even if it's not "comforting" in the sense of mac and cheese or hot cocoa. It always ends up speaking to something and allowing me to confront an idea of mine that needs to be surrendered, or reminding me to trust in the only One who is constant.

This morning, it was Psalm 36*, which my psalter intros as "reflections on good and evil." Check it:

5 Commit your life to the Lord,

trust in him and he will act,

6 so that your justice breaks forth like the light,

your cause like the noon-day sun.

The entire psalm urges us not to worry about what the wicked are doing, because God's got this. Our job is to trust in God, live righteous lives in surrender to God's love, and wait expectantly for God's mercy. It doesn't urge us to kill in the name of God, or fight back against those who respect neither God nor human life. 

God knows that we get angry when we see what we perceive to be evil and injustice, and Jesus teaches us to be with the oppressed and downtrodden, to provide for their needs. He never once indicated through his actions or words that our job is to make the bad guy pay. That's something we invented. It's every movie you've seen in which the bad guy or girl gets their comeuppance. It's the law of karma, right? The evil should have to suffer for what they've done.

Except. It's not our job to inflict suffering on anyone, nor to judge anyone. There is only one Judge, and that's God.

The psalm goes on:

30 The just man's mouth utters wisdom

and his lips speak what is right;

31 the law of his God is in his heart,

his steps shall be saved from stumbling.

This paints a picture of someone who speaks truth and abides by the law of God written in the heart. This saint walks with God and by focusing on this relationship with God, he avoids sin and the near occasion of sin. There is a security in this, that even in the midst of suffering, God will guide the soul of such a one to remain in God's love, rather than stumbling into the bailiwick of the wicked - hate, violence, brutality, lying, stealing, cheating, and all the rest of it.

We are reassured that although the wicked will flourish on the earth, theirs is not an everlasting reign. The Adversary and his followers are extremely powerful, but they will not have the final say. Stay true, let God hold your hand, surrender to God's ever-more powerful grace, and Be the light (Mt. 5:14) 

23 The Lord guides the steps of a man
and makes safe the path of one he loves.
24 Though he stumble he shall never fall
for the Lord holds him by the hand.

*A quick note about language:  Coming from the original Hebrew and with an older translation, the text uses masculine pronouns, but don't let it bog you down.