My desk is clean today, and I'm sitting at it. Yup, just me. Sitting at my desk working. Casual. Anyone who knows me knows that this doesn't happen. The clean-desk part or the using-the-desk part. I usually work in the midst of library background noise, or in the comfort of my own bed. But today isn't an ordinary day, is it? Today, Christian and Catholic brothers and sisters, I. am. appalled. I'm not talking about who you may or may not have voted for. The election is over, and we have a new leader we need to pray for. I can't remember a single Mass without prayer for our leaders. My problem, today, is that someone posts on Facebook saying they are afraid for their future, and you respond with "stop overreacting" or "stop whining." Or my favorite today, "Republicans would never act like this." Right, because no one threatened to move to Canada if Obama became President. I know two families who went on an overseas vacation during the 2008 inauguration out of protest. And this title I just scrolled past TWO TIMES: "Open Letter to All Of the Whiny Safe Space Liberals Crying Over Our 'Racist' and 'Sexist' Country" We are not called to brush off the hurting of other humans. If someone is afraid, ask them why. Listen to them. Try to bring them some hope and comfort in what is a dark moment for them. Better yet, show them through your love and logic that they don't need to be afraid. Let them know that you are pro-life and their life is included in that. Let them know that you will stand up for their rights, too. Maybe they aren't upset that "their woman didn't win." Maybe they really are scared, or will you not let yourself entertain that thought? People think half the country doesn't care about their wellbeing. If you think that is false, show them that. There are people who believe Trump voters voted in spite of black, Muslim, Latino, LGBTQ+, or female Americans. Call me crazy, but they might really need to know that you didn't vote for him for those reasons. Don't call someone a liar, ask them about their truth. Don't cry "overreacting!" but offer them your support. And let me clear: Today, there is nothing to celebrate. This is not a victory for Jesus, our church, or our country. We had two imperfect choices, and we made one. We should be as conflicted as ever, sinners. "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do." ~Luke 23:24
1 Comment
Joyce Tuten
11/13/2016 07:50:20 am
That's beautiful and gives me Hope!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AUTHORA millennial Catholic convert trying to make sense of my world. At any given time I probably have a large cappuccino in-hand, and am definitely giving too-honest advice. ARCHIVES
December 2018
|