In addition to my usual list of things to be grateful for – love, family, good health, work, the elders among us and the children around – I am very grateful for not being separated some of our family themselves by thoughts, or flattery. Their rise in recent elections is by removing themselves from the table until everyone else withdraws their votes.
In politics, our family is surrounded; some chose Kamala Harris for president; some voted for Donald Trump. The votes from this family were decided for Jill Stein, Claudia De la Cruz and (not for the first time) the mother of a friend, whose name was written on the ballot.
After listening to friends whose families have been torn apart, or friends who are in political trouble, I understand that the desire of our society is to live in peace (and to be happy to gather in this busy season) is something I appreciate.
This is something I’ve been thinking about for the past few weeks: How can a family discuss politics every election cycle, express their different opinions, but stay together?
First of all, I found it diplomatic and insightful. We do not cover any topics that may be flammable. If a topic or topic comes up in the discussion, people give their opinions, sometimes by banging on the table, for emphasis.
But a kind of tension is often given to go with the ideas, something that is not humiliating but humble; Tens of thousands of people agree on what we all think, influenced by our own history, our society, our voices and our personalities. The main thing is that we can be really responsible for our thoughts, including that we may be wrong about one thing, so we are all together.
It’s important, it’s election season; It gives the family the air to keep breathing and remember every year we love and respect each other; we see the “goodness” of each other – the steadfast trust that we honor and respect throughout the year and have no desire to give in to the types of hectoring debates fueled by the noisiest of ideologues.
It also helps us to remember that good people don’t agree and are good people, and most of us are doing the best we can, just like the light. it will be given to us. And God is not done with any of us, not even the politicians we hate and love.
None of us can predict or understand what God will allow each season, and why. Thus, we are tied to infinite mysteries – far beyond our desired illusions of disaster or world peace. We know that whatever the outcome of the election, we will be like Mary in the upper room, watching and waiting to see what will happen.
Recently, in my lectio divina I have been continuing with Matthew 18:10, where Jesus reminds us, “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little things. For when I tell you, their angels in heaven always see the eyes of my Father in heaven.
I thought about the question, “who are the little people?” Seeing the abuses of the church, which have not been carried out and fully forgiven, it is easy to explain them as childish, or the trust and weakness of parents. They also include the poor, the homeless, the lonely and the homeless.
Among them, those who were rejected – especially those who became less, more lacking in their angels look to God, when they were thrown by their blood for becoming increasingly fascinated by the suspenseful dramas of contemporary politics. .
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus said if we do not want to show love to others, “My Father in heaven will deal with you all, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart .”
Love is easy. It should not be allowed, nor moved nor restrained, lest we make ourselves more liable (yes, soft) to God’s justice.
But giving love makes us vulnerable, doesn’t it? Saying, “I’m not against you,” after family disrespect, means (in part) that one is making a path of acceptance and peace.
And the kind of acceptance and peace, especially in my opinion, is necessary to understand these unsettled times, because full of old problems and new questions, we are the ones with these, in our ways, “little people” are not necessary. to be despised.
Elizabeth Scalia is the editor-in-chief for OSV. Follow her on X (formerly known as Twitter) @theanchoress.
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