Politics During Lent

 

In this time of Lent, Christians engage in some form of contrition, penitence, benevolence, and sacrifice to contemplate the heavy burden borne by Jesus as the ultimate act of love and forgiveness for mankind.  Perhaps, at this time, it is worthwhile to further contemplate whether we have received this gift with grace and taken up the corollary responsibility to LOVE our neighbors as ourselves.

The Internet and social media have indulged our ingrained desire for immediate gratification.  Likes. Comments. Views. Emojis.  Presumably, these token contrivances serve as virtual fast food to quench our craving for external affirmation.  Unfortunately, these technologies introduce the other side of the coin as well.  Dislikes.  Angry replies.  Inflammatory remarks.  Trolling. Online bullying.  If you seek external validation, you have already given away the power over your attention, your focus, your self-worth, your mood, and your behavior.  You’ve traded God’s grace for the fleeting trends of this world.

We have certainly seen how national politics have evolved from respectful disagreement to grievance-filled all-out ideological war.  From all sides.  Because, for whatever reason, once mud has been slung, apparently the only response is more mud in the opposite direction, with all spectators winding up covered in it.

We have seen how our New York State “leaders” have taken the playbook and determined that constituent service is no longer the goal.  Rather, smash-mouth politics aim at gerrymandering, punishing the minority party, centralizing power in Albany over localities, imposing projects and policies on unwilling suburbs, and paying back the corporate/real estate/utility/union donors who put them into office. 

Each Long Island village has its own history, its own assets and liabilities, its own priorities, and its own quirks.  Garden City can certainly claim its own distinct character, whether based on the tree-lined streets, the parks, the architecture, the neighborhoods, the restaurants, the shops, or the schools.   We are no longer an arranged marriage of four different areas pieced together in the early 20^th Century.  Instead, we are a cohesive village of nearly 25,000 residents that has a shared identity and self-government. 

Clearly, what unites us—quality-of-life, schools, safety, leisure, churches, clubs—far outweighs what divides us.  And, yet, one gets the sense that because elections happen, Armageddon is at hand.  [Ask the people of Kharkiv or, even, El Paso about our intra-community squabbles and they would probably start shaking their heads while smirking.]  

Back to the Bible, remember I Corinthians 13:4-8?  It’s the verse most repeated at Christian weddings, to wit: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

We do not usually hold politicians to abide by the Bible, but maybe stepping away from a place of moral superiority and moral relativism is a start.  When we recognize that each person who irritates you in real-life or online was also made in God’s image, it might make you pause before posting a condescending comment about their shortfalls.  It might help you recognize the virtues of patience, kindness, humility, honor, selflessness, self-control, decency, and truth. 

Politics is the necessary practice of discussing different ideas, educating the public, and leaving it in voters’ hands to make the right choice for themselves.  It may differ from village-to-village, state-to-state, and country-to-country, but reflecting a community’s expressed voice should be the hallmark of any election.  I expect a lot of “what about”-isms and “they started it” from some corners, but as Ronald Reagan said, “The person who agrees with you 80 percent of the time is a friend and an ally - not a 20 percent traitor.”  Love this community and love your neighbor and don’t focus on the 20% that divides you.  The empty tomb and the cross should remind you that more important victories have been won.