GOD OF THE PROSPEROUS, OR GOD OF MERCY & TRUTH

Do as I say not as I do. Social distancing 6 feet apart

https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-crowded-coronavirus-press-conferences-photos-2020-3

By the third week in February, the administration’s top public health experts concluded they should recommend to Mr. Trump a new approach that would include warning the American people of the risks and urging steps like social distancing and staying home from work. But the White House focused instead on messaging and crucial additional weeks went by before their views were reluctantly accepted by the president — time when the virus spread largely unimpeded.

When Mr. Trump finally agreed in mid-March to recommend social distancing across the country, effectively bringing much of the economy to a halt, he seemed shellshocked and deflated to some of his closest associates. One described him as “subdued” and “baffled” by how the crisis had played out. An economy that he had wagered his re-election on was suddenly in shambles.

He only regained his swagger, the associate said, from conducting his daily White House briefings, at which he often seeks to rewrite the history of the past several months.

We live in a time when truth is under assault from powerful political and financial interests. It’s not just a problem for Presidents, but for a whole society which has become full of itself, triaging to the dustbin those who don’t measure up. Jesus said to power, confronting death, “In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. Jn 13:37-38 Jesus conquered death, holding fast to truth no matter the consequences.

Just before Lent this year my wife Ande and I were in El Paso a second time to be of some help to refugees from death & violence in Central America. There was little to do this time as the U.S. administration was in process of shutting the door hard to keep those seeking mercy out. At mass in the Cathedral there, I was blessed with a bright moment, a golden vision of the altar crucifix reflecting sun. Holy Communion received, I’m right there at the beginning and end of all things, alpha and omega, Jesus head and foot. Then right back to the growl of my stomach, and grounded on the kneeler—while remembering, still lifted up, a gift. We are helped to stay faithful to the truth, and to do what's right, by staying in communion with the Truth who embraces all humanity.

here is hope for the immigrants, and the rest of us too. In the midst of Coronavirus and political arrogance--Jesus is in all current events. The God amongst us is intrinsic to every situation at all times. Jesus is the present moment. We are not alone facing evil, mired in the mundane, or when resplendently within the joyful. Suffering and triumphant alike we are God’s companions, wayfaring but no strangers. If we believe in an omnipotent creator God, this One is omnipresent.

Jesus is the personal higher power—all the more credible because God comes down deeper mucking it up just like the rest of us, so much lower into it---To blast death’s door away, Risen, for us, with us, everyone.