Signs of the spring to come: the sounds of several flocks of Canada geese heading north, crocus blooming among the ivy, narcissus leaves now at least three inches high promising the flowers yet to come, and even a robin or two. In the midst of Lent, these signs bring some hope into our hearts even as the weather will turn colder this week.
The warm spate of sunshine is what we needed but you know it always seems to be cold and blustery around St. Patrick’s Day making us wonder if spring will ever come. The coming of spring hasn’t ended the standoff between the federal bench and the DOJ, which replaced Alina Habba, disqualified from serving as New Jersey’s U.S. Attorney because she had not been confirmed by the Senate as required, with a triumvirate of lawyers.
U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Brann noted that the Appoints Clause requires Senate confirmation, which the Executive branch could not avoid. What sounds like quibbling is critical to our separation of powers. In this year, the 250th anniversary of our founding, it is important to remember what our ancestors fought and died for. It was certainly not for a usurpation of power by one branch of government.
Prayer for the Day
As the early morning skies bring another day,
We remember, O Lord, that winter is not yet over;
As our Nation struggles with the usurpation of power,
We remember, O God, that our founders struggled as well.
Hold us, O Holy One, to memory as well as promise,
And let us not let memories die in the midst of conflict.
In the name of the One who calls us to remember,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
To the Founders, dividing the appointment power was critical to defending against “despotism”12—their “experience with the English monarchy” taught them about the abuses that accompanied “[t]he King[’s] [ability to] wield significant power [to] both creat[e] and fill[] offices as he saw fit.”
Memorandum Opinion, issued March 9, 2026
I am going to try to pay attention to the coming spring. I am going to look around at all the flowers and look up at the hectic trees. I am going to close my eyes and listen.
Anne Lamott, American writer
Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord;
God’s appearing is as sure as the dawn;
Coming to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth.
Hosea 6: 3