“Speak, for your servant is listening.”
Today in the Liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church we mark the beginning of Ordinary Time. In light of the events of the last two weeks, to speak of ordinary and time in the same sentence feels like a sacrilege! My friends, in our beloved Nation, these weeks have been anything but ordinary. We have witnessed the attempted siege of the symbol of our Republic, The Capitol, by latter day traitorous insurrectionists, deluded by a President who has forsaken in the past four years the foundational values that have truly made our Country great: profound respect for the rule of law, commitment to the truth and the inviolability of our free election process that is the cornerstone of our democracy.
As Christians in this extraordinary ordinary time, what are we to make of these events that have so scarred our national identity? What might God be telling us as the Lord of Life often writes straight with crooked lines?
In Psalm 146 we read, “Put no trust in princes…powerless to save.” These extraordinary ordinary times should be a sobering warning to us all to the dangers of the cult of personality that has doomed nations down through the centuries. All of us, no matter how personally gifted we might be, possess shadow-sides and feet of clay. The truly worthy leader of character and integrity humbly acknowledges his or her weaknesses and failings. The strength of true leaders is always measured by their ability to selflessly listen to the wisdom of others as they lead both friend and foe to the common good.
These extraordinary ordinary times should provide a check on a certitude that rather than being based on verifiable facts, is fabricated out of delusional feelings egged on by the irrational fear of the other rather than a reverence for the dignity of all God’s children.
Providentially, this extraordinary ordinary time will draw to a close on the 17th of February as that same liturgical calendar will mark the beginning of the penitential season of Lent. Perhaps, at no time in previous years will this season provide the collective opportunity for many to beg the Lord of mercy, for his forgiveness.
For the forgiveness of forgetting that love is stronger than hate.
For the forgiveness of sowing division rather than unity from the rich fabric of diversity that has made our country the shining light on the hill for all nations.
For the forgiveness in demonizing those with whom we disagree.
For the forgiveness in so easily being seduced in making profit be the measure of what truly constitutes national greatness.
Yes, my friends, Lent cannot come soon enough for a Nation that is in need of reconciliation, healing and a new beginning. As the Lord of all ages stands before a us, let us utter our silent prayer:
“Speak, for your servant is listening.”