By Fr. Glenn Jones
Certainly we’ve come to one of the most emotional weeks for a great many Americans (and likely many others around the world due to the financial and political position of the U.S.) with our national elections. For some there will be rejoicing; for others, wailing and gnashing of teeth. Certainly we Christians pray that those elected be given wisdom and grace to govern in ways pleasing to God, for that would be the greatest good. But, whoever wins, virtually all of us will be at least joyful at the end of the constant barrage of electioneering … after a bit of gloating from the winning side. For a month at least (we hope!).
Whoever wins elections, we Christians are called–and ask everyone for the sake of order and charity—to follow the instruction of St. Paul: “Pay all of them their dues…respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.” (Romans 13:7) Certainly in a democratic republic we are called to work to advance policies we perceive are for the greater good, but respect and honor is due all persons—even those with whom we disagree.
Paul is writing the Christians in Rome—strikingly—to exhort them to respect the emperor and all in Roman authority, under whom he (and they) would soon undergo even martyrdom … echoing the “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” teaching of Jesus. Peter’s letter, too, reiterates the theme: “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution…For it is God’s will that by doing right you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” (1 Peter 2:13-17)
WE may not understand God’s plan, but we Christians trust in it nonetheless, even if mystified by day-to-day events which seem to work against what WE think should happen. As is often said: “Man makes his plans…and God laughs.” After all, the beautiful tapestry which is God’s plan has both dark and light within it, and we, seeing only the smallest short-term portion, are unable to visualize the richness of the whole. We recall Jesus’ words to Pilate, who would crucify Him: “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above…” (John 19:11) … echoes later by Paul: “For there is no authority except from God…” (Romans 13:1)
Perhaps it’s too much to wish for, but maybe—just maybe—the vitriol so loud in our present society will alleviate a bit when the election is over, or at least not be quite so prevalent; we can only hope. It is, of course, in each of our own power to quash vicious speech in our conversations, whether it be in face-to-face dialogue, email or social media. We do NOT have to reciprocate in kind the insults, abrasive or snarky language; we teach children that very thing. After all, what will be gained except continued and increasing strife? Then … what’s the point? A momentary “gotcha’” satisfaction at the cost of dignity and charity? Are we so delicate that we cannot bear a harsh word—likely unreasonably given at that?
St. Paul speaks of how he and his associates are treated and respond, and thus gives us a Christian example: “When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate…” (1 Corinthians 4:12-13) This is the only way to peaceful coexistence. If we resort to nonstop tit-for-tat, the conflict just continues … or worsens. As scripture says: “The blow of a whip raises a welt, but a blow of the tongue crushes the bones,” (Sirach 28:17) … inviting like response by those inclined to do so.
When we think about it calmly and rationally, most insults and hateful rhetoric seen in social media and like fora are just knee-jerk reactions. Anyone who has attempted knows the futility of reasoned debate in social media posts. Many find it much easier to screech across the electronic divide, labeling one’s opponent as mired in an inescapable morass of stupidity, implying of himself (delusionally): “Aren’t I so clever?”
Scripture reminds all: “Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another…?” (Malachi 2:10) The author was addressing the Jewish people, the premise is certainly now to be extended to the whole of humanity. As Shakespeare’s Shylock observes in venting frustration at maltreatment suffered for being different: “Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die?” (The Merchant of Venice, 3,1). In a teaching moment, Shakespeare then has Shylock express the visceral, yet base, human response at offenses suffered: “And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that…The villainy you teach me I will execute—and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction.” And round and round it goes…
So, in the days … months … years ahead, let us have patience with one another in our dialogue, taking the high road always, remembering that “The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent man ignores an insult,” (Proverbs 12:16) and “A man of quick temper acts foolishly, but a man of discretion is patient.” (Proverbs 14:17) Finally, we pray, remembering that leaders come and leaders go, but “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.” (Psalm 33:12)
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“Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all. Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians 3:11-14)
Rev. Glenn Jones is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos.
