As I head to bed tonight, I suspect I may wake up to a blue wave. I find that disappointing, particularly what I see as a growing embrace of socialist ideas that I believe are taking our country in the wrong direction. But I don’t believe most Americans necessarily embrace that ideology. I think many are simply angry—at Trump, at Washington, at the direction of the country—and are voting out of frustration rather than conviction. In the end, perhaps we’ll have two years of political stalemate, which may not be the worst thing. But tonight I’m reminded of Psalm 146: “Put not your trust in princes.” Our hope cannot rest in politicians or political parties, but in God alone. So I’ll say a prayer for those elected tonight—that God grants them wisdom, humility, common sense, and a genuine desire to serve the people rather than themselves. And with that, I’ll leave it in God’s hands. Good night, and God bless.
One thing I notice about politics the last few years is that I get a lot less excited about politics than I used too. Events and change in the World are so vast that I suspect they have overtaken politics. It reminds me of Noah's Ark. How things must have changed for those on the Ark when the rains came. How things must have changed for those outside the Ark!! Imagine the moment when the flood set in and the ship started to shift and float for the first time! Things had become real!! I feel like that these days. The rains have started and the little boat is starting to move. How few people appreciate this and are still caught up in the passing moments. I think events are moving us past the present moments of politics. Out boat is moving.
I think you’re right. And I really like your analogy of Noah’s Ark, especially that moment when the boat first began to move. Imagine what that must have felt like. Suddenly everything was real. The world they knew was changing, and there was no going back. I have to admit, I’m pretty darn angry this morning. Mostly at Trump. I think he had a real opportunity to do some good things for this country and managed to screw much of it up himself. And now I worry about how he reacts. I hope he doesn’t do something irrational out of anger or frustration. But I think your larger point is much more important. There are things happening in this world that are so much bigger than politics. And yet we get so caught up in the daily arguments, elections, and nonsense that we may be missing what’s really going on. What really struck me about your analogy, though, is something more personal. I keep thinking about that moment when the Ark started moving. What must Noah have been thinking? What about the people outside? Did they finally realize what was happening? And what about the people Noah loved who weren’t on that boat? And then I ask myself, am I in the Ark? Is Alyce? Are my kids and grandkids? And what about the rest of our family and friends? And if some of them aren’t, how do we help them get there? Is it too late? I don’t know. And that’s what troubles me. After everything Alyce and I have been through, I think I see things differently than I did a few years ago. I’ve come to realize how quickly life can change and how little control we really have. One moment everything seems normal, and the next your entire world is turned upside down. Maybe that’s why your analogy hit me so hard. In some ways, I feel like our own little Ark started moving back in August 2024. We certainly didn’t see that storm coming. And maybe that’s also why politics doesn’t seem quite as important to me as it once did. Don’t get me wrong, I still care. I’m angry about what’s happening. But in the bigger picture, there’s something far more important at stake. I guess the question I’m struggling with isn’t so much where the Ark is going. It’s whether I’m on it, whether the people I love are on it, and what I can do for those who aren’t. I don’t have the answers. I’m just trying to figure it out myself. But I do believe God is in control, even when everything around us seems completely out of control. Peace
Only God knows the answer to your question. However, the message of medjugorje last month may hold a clue to the answer your looking for. "Dear children! A fire of hatred and wars is spreading in the hearts of people who do not want peace but their own weak interests. That is why, little children, you be prayer and my extended hands of love and peace for all those who are far from my motherly heart. Pray more strongly and more for the peace that God desires to give you but you do not want it. I am with you and I am praying that peace may prevail and reign in every heart. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
I think it is true that in the past Catholic and Protestant politicians (I mean real Catholic) and Catholic backed political parties have achieved very great good. If I had been an American I believe I would have voted for Trump in the past. Not out of any great enthusiasm but because the alternative was just to ghastly. But reading the Sings of the times I think events , the tide of history has just hurtled on. The Ark has lifted. The Last Seals have been broken and the Restrainer lifted. We are in a whole new world. We must read the Signs of the times. I get the sense that many even very good and holy Catholic commentators have not gotten the sense of this. Blessed Fulton Sheen was very good at grasping this. Very Prophetic. We have so very,very few Catholic Prophets in our midst these days. Our Present situation reminds me very much of the Early Christians in the Acts of the Apostles.
And then I read this result: Virginia passed a state constitutional amendment legalizing abortion in the first two trimesters I dont want to be angry about this election because I know in my head all things are passing. But my heart is sad today. I suppose this us part of purpose of prayer... to ask God to help me in this battle. And it is a battle for me today. I dont recognize my community anymore. These new "leaders" dont align with any if my values.
I too feel I live in an alien country. Leaders are now a law unto themselves in the majority of Western countries. In God we trust
Yes. Sadly I must say the same. The culture of death won yesterday and i think the spiritual cosmic fall out will come quickly. God permitted this in spite of our prayers and now His anger will fall on the just and the unjust alike. I am not in any way defending Mr Trump. He is the author of this debacle I am afraid. The original Bait and. Switch. People across the country are so angry at themselves for having believed him that their vote is an act of revenge. IMO. But the ramifications of it boggle the mind. Pray pray pray.
In the end, you get what you pay for. If you are focused on this life you will be lost. If you focus on God you will have eternity with him. That was and is our Blessed Mother’s message, pray. Don’t be the human exchanging Jesus for Barabbas. Expect that things don’t go your way. If everything goes your way something is not right.
You’re right, and I agree with you. But I’m human, and if I’m being honest, today I’m yelling Barabbas. I wish I could say I’m crying out for Jesus instead, but today I’m angry, frustrated, and caught up in my own selfishness. And maybe that’s exactly what God is trying to show me. How easily I can get caught up in the things of this world and lose sight of Him. It’s why I need God. I’m imperfect, and I know it. I wish my heart were different today, but this is where I am. I appreciate you pointing this out to me. It’s something I needed to hear. Please pray for my conversion. I certainly need it.
It isn't calling out for Barabbas to be upset that new laws are likely to be passed that will offend God even more than He is already offended. To feel pain that despite our prayers and hopes, the world continues to choose satan over God. Your human emotion and your sorrow over evils, offered with prayer and holding tight to Christ, moves God's heart and draws down graces for a desperate world.
It’s not you calling for Barabbas, it’s the world of today. Standing your ground and being a good Catholic is being on the side of Jesus. Yes, it is good to have tears and disappointment, that’s why we cried at the foot of the cross. We can’t save the world, only Jesus can. I can’t save myself, only Jesus can.
I will pray for you and I know this shall pass. Dont beat yourself up for being human. Feeling it too.
Thank you. I really appreciate your kindness and what you’re saying. And I do agree with you. We can’t save ourselves or the world. Only Jesus can. But I also think that today, in a sense, I too was calling out for Barabbas if Im honest. Not because I don’t love Jesus or want to follow Him, but because I allowed my disappointment and frustration with the things of this world to get the better of me. And maybe two things can be true at the same time. I can want to stand with Jesus and still recognize how easily I turn away from Him. I guess that’s the struggle of being human. I’m beginning to think that’s what God is showing me today. Not so much what’s wrong with the world, but what’s going on in my own heart. And I need to see that. I know I want to call out for Jesus, but even that isn’t something I can accomplish through my own strength. It’s grace. So I’m actually grateful for this conversation and for those who have responded. You’ve helped me recognize my own weakness, and perhaps that’s exactly where God wants to meet me. Please pray for my conversion. I certainly need it.
