I don’t know about you but even as a political junkie I am just about exhausted this election season. I find myself skipping over election stories, and not just about the presidential campaign. Though I know I shouldn’t, I am now avoiding news reports and stories regarding the Senate and House. Why is this the case?
The 24-hour news cycle is not just on television, which I confess, I have not watched in months, except for the large screens at the gym, which are all about sports, anyway. It just seems that everyone—well, almost everyone—is so angry. And it affects our daily behavior in other ways as well. Old rules of politeness no longer seem to apply.
The other morning leaving the gym a woman was walking straight towards me glued to her smart phone. She wasn’t watching where she was walking and I had to practically jump out of her way. “Excuse me,” I said softly, as I moved away. Scowling at being interrupted, she kept moving and not at a snail’s pace. What is wrong with us?
Prayer for the Day
Turning away from the world around us,
We have sought to isolate ourselves from others;
Closing ourselves off from your Spirit,
We have sought to rely only on ourselves alone.
Forgive us and transform us into an caring people
So love can triumph over fear and hopelessness
In the name of the One who shares your love with all,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
You can get through life with bad manners, but it’s easier with good manners.
Lillian Gish, American movie actress (1893-1993)
Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.
Groucho Marx, American comedian (1890-1977)
A nation that hates politics will not long survive as a democracy.
E.J. Dionne, columnist
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge, but the mouths of fools our out folly.
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
Proverbs 15: 1-2, 4