God is trusting in us.
The "Weekly Word" for this edition of Vision and Viewpoint comes from Sister Mary Lou Kownacki's writings. It is an excerpt from her new book, Everyday Sacred, Everywhere Beauty, which consists of the best-of her blog, Old Monk's Journal. These passages were written in the days immediately following the 2016 presidential election.
God is trusting in us
November 9, 2016
When I awake each day I say a short prayer.
This morning I had to force every ounce of integrity to pray it. I am heartsick over last night’s national election, in anguish for what this mean-spirited political view will mean for the poor, for women, for refugees, for the sick, for all the vulnerable. I am frightened of what military force we will unleash around the world without an ounce of concern for the unarmed civilians in its wake. And I am fearful that what we really woke up to this morning is the unraveling of the American dream, a country sharply, irrevocably divided about what the Constitution, freedom of press, the Statue of Liberty, and democracy itself mean.
I am also appalled at the misogyny at the base of this election and angry at my church for its deafening silence over a presidential candidate who is disgusting in his treatment of women. But, then, my church is misogynistic, too, and, yes, disgusting in its treatment of women. But how do you explain the silence of my church when a candidate condones torture, banning of refugees, building of walls, repealing of health care—all contrary to church teachings. Ah, the candidate is "pro-life." What does that even mean?
I am also bewildered by my own lack of perception. Who are these people who voted for Trump? Who are these neighbors, board members, co-workers, people that I celebrate weekly liturgy with at the monastery, that I thought I knew? And even liked and considered friends? How did I not know what they really believed and valued? My relationship with them is forever altered and it breaks my heart.
So, it was in deep agony, almost disbelief, that Old Monk forced herself to pray: This is the day our God has made. Let us be rejoice and be glad.––Psalm 118:24
November 17, 2016
Lots of people commented on the last journal entry. First, Old Monk wants to thank all of you who wrote a comment. It’s a small act of courage to own what you think and feel and say it to others. Because I believe we are in for hazardous four years, I, too, want to be honest about what I think a monastic stance requires in perilous times.
Many of you suggested praying and trusting in God. Prayer––yes, of course. I’ve devoted a lot of years to prayer. And so what? For me, there is only one measure for authentic prayer: am I becoming kinder, more tolerant, more courageous, more god-like? I pray to change myself and you can see that’s taking quite a long time. I do not pray to change other people, life’s circumstances, world events or the future.
As I get older, I have a private measuring stick for my own spiritual integrity—do I speak my truth without fear and act on what I believe? That’s all I pray for these days. Of course, I’d like to do it with all the kindness I can muster, but my bottom line is speaking truth to power. It’s the one irrevocable lesson I’ve learned from getting to know Jesus of Nazareth. Too many people make Jesus, God’s image on earth, a pie-eyed guru who went around being nice to everyone, saying only sweet things––a real people pleaser. When in reality, they murdered Jesus for confronting those in power, for not accepting the status quo, for breaking their unjust laws, for riling up the people, for giving hope to the poor and vulnerable.
As for trusting in God, I think it’s the reverse. I believe God is trusting in us. God is trusting that in giving us the gift of life, we will bear good fruit. That we who claim to be on a spiritual path will accept our responsibility to co-create the kind of world that God envisioned. It’s up to us, each one of us, to be faithful to God’s trust and do everything in our power to bring in the day when “justice and mercy embrace.” “The purpose of prayer,” Saint Teresa of Avila told her sisters, “is good works, good works, good works.” And I believe her.
For those who feel it’s too early to judge the president-elect, I offer one of my favorite lines in Scripture: “Jesus did not trust himself to them because he knew what was in their hearts.” (John 2:24) Sorry, but I’m very cautious and wary of the people now taking over every branch of our government. Showing respect to them, trying not to maim or kill them with words or weapons, is enough for me. Does that mean I have closed my heart to them? No, that’s why I keep praying to keep my heart softer and more flexible. But what I’ve witnessed over the past months is unacceptable to me and I will resist that agenda.
Meanwhile, I drove to the Cleveland Museum of Art on the weekend and placed myself in the midst of beauty. I stood in awe at the arrival of the supermoon, its first visit in 69 years. I went to the local university to hear Doris Kearns Goodwin give a historical overview of the presidency. I signed up to attend the Women’s March on Washington. In other words, I continue to choose life.
––from Everyday Sacred, Everywhere Beauty, by Mary Lou Kownacki (Orbis)
