Yesterday evening as I was driving home I saw that the gas station in Middlesex had increased its price per gallon by 60 cents from $2.69 to $3.29 a gallon. Now, you know that the cost of importing gasoline didn’t increase by so much in less than a week to bring prices up by so much. The ongoing war in the Middle East will cost much more than the price of gas.
Yesterday the House by a 219-212 vote joined the Senate in turning back a measure to restrict the White House from unilateral military action, surrendering its authority under the Constitution. Even after the horrific attack on Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt, who acted a great deal with executive authority, went to Congress to declare war.
Moreover, we’ve not had a President who claims he should determine who another country’s leader should be. Sounds a bit like ancient Rome where Cesar selected who should be in charge of what territory. Wonder if Jesus or his disciples ever felt helpless in the face of an executive exercising such massive political power.
Prayer for the Day
Sometimes, O Lord, we feel so little, so powerless,
As powers seemingly beyond our control flex their muscles;
Sometimes, O God, we aren’t sure of what to do, how to be,
As we feel our ability to make change slipping between our fingers.
Help us feel the power of your Presence in these difficult times,
For we know it is you who gives us strength and courage.
In the name of the One who brings you into our lives,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
The question is, was there any imminent threat requiring the use of force? The administration has not presented one. In fact, the word ‘imminent’ does not appear even once in the administration’s own war powers notification.
Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Foreign Affairs Committee
The Constitution is clear: Our Constitution provides Congress initiatory powers of war.
Rep. Thomas Massie (T-KY), co-sponsor of limitation resolution
Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, n whom there is no help.
When their breath departs, they return to the earth;
On that very day their plans perish.
Happy are those whose help is in the God of Jacob,
Whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth,
The sea and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever.
Psalm 146: 3-6