So Long Ago And We Still Don't Get It

As some of you may have noticed, I didn’t post a week ago Monday. I feel guilty when I don’t and then I remind myself that this is something I do for pleasure. I’m not going to receive a grade or win a prize—a free trip to the Caribbean?—or have my name put on a brass plaque because I write a blog.

Nonetheless there is some promise I make to myself and to all of you, who so kindly read Life Opening Up that I will turn up with something to think about or laugh about on Monday mornings. I regret breaking that promise.

The problem has been the election. It is all consuming, isn’t it? Or maybe some of you escape the drama and, more sensible than I, spare yourselves the morning and evening news.

Backing up a bit. In church last Sunday, the thoughtful and creative Reverend Laura Whitmore led the Pastoral Prayer. She began by eloquently thanking God for all the blessings of our lives and also for life itself. Then she said, “Still, Lord, we weep” and my bowed head popped up.

I thought. That’s it! I weep! My insides are weeping. I am not writing because I am made speechless by weeping.

I weep for our country caught up in the outrageous bombastic, uncivil turmoil of this election time. I weep for the inflated egos of our politicians who are too power-hungry and self absorbed to cooperate, compromise and lead. I weep that most have become professional politicians, more interested in their political future and re-election than in serving the country. (Maybe a term time limit would be a good thing?)

I weep that it is rare to hear a politician disagree with an opponent without some personal insult. I yearn to read about a politician saying to an opponent from the other side of the aisle, “Let’s find a way.” 

I remember dignified elections, even when they were tight and tense. In 1948, Truman defeated Dewey and the Chicago Tribune had already published an early “Dewey Defeats Truman” headline. Total upset. No rancor. None.

And now I weep for Belgium, unexpectedly blasted at a major airport and metro station. Thirty-one people killed and two hundred and seventy injured.

For those of the Christian faith, Easter is upon us: a time when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus who willingly died an excruciating death on the cross.

Why did he have to die? Simply put, because nobody really got what he was saying about the brotherhood of all human beings: about the need to love one another, to care for one another, to care for the poor, and to forgive and to make every effort to understand one another. Whatever you believe about the resurrection, Jesus' teachings are unambiguous and eternal.

We are immensely challenged to love our enemies, especially in these days of terrorism, but “love” them we must: understand them we must, seek to know their fears and desires we must. Most of all we must find ways to talk with them if we are ever to create peace in this world.

How many millions must die before we get this?

 I weep.

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FYI: "Koobface" is a scam. I was taken. Expensive lesson learned.