A Plea for Truth

As our National Independence Day has come and gone, the state of our country continues to experience turbulent times. Problems that have been thrown onto us (Corona-19) and problems we have thrown onto ourselves (racism and its after-effects).

It is also an election year that can bring the noise to a deafening pitch. It can be hard to decipher what is true through 24/7 news headlines and the blurbs and opinions from our social media feeds from all sides claiming to speak the truth.

This reflection is not a political plea or to give another opinion to the millions already out there; instead, this is more of a plea to a higher truth—a prayer to a higher good.

There are elements of truth in the opinions and sides of all rational and serious people regarding the problems we now face. That said, not being open to a larger truth from the confines of our narrow visions can cause division that oftentimes has its roots in power, manipulation, and fear. Consequently, there is no room for humility and understanding. There is no room for listening and grace. There is no room for a more profound truth to seep into our consciousness and ways of seeing and being.

In my Catholic tradition, before we say the Lord’s Prayer at every Mass, we utter, “And we dare to say…” We dare to use the words that Jesus himself instructed us to use. We dare to have this prayer transform us. We dare to expose our opinions and identities to understand ourselves, others, life, and God in a more transparent and perfect union. We dare to have our truths exposed to a larger one.

In many ways, our country still faces the problems present when we first proclaimed “These truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that their Creator endows them with certain unalienable Rights… We are still dealing with how our individual rights work best within a community of our neighbors.

Over the last six months, one thing has been exposed: we, as a country, are very much a work in progress. I, too, am a work in progress, seeking a deeper truth. Over time, I turn and pray…

Our Father, Who art in heaven,

Our Father? Who am I leaving out? Those who don’t look like me? Those who don’t act like me? Those who don’t believe in what I believe in? Now more than ever, help me see others, regardless of race, creed, and beliefs, as my brothers and sisters. Brothers and sisters who together have One Father.

Hallowed be Thy name;

How easily good things can become “hallowed” in my eyes. How easily do political views or movements, as “righteous” as they seem, become the god I serve? Pride and power always seem to follow. Help me again to see you as God and God alone.

Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Remind me that “heaven” is today. Here. Now. You are present at these times. You are here in these struggles. Heaven will be felt here on earth today to the extent that all of your children are known and loved, dignified by their simple existence.

Give us this day our daily bread;

I am grateful for the gifts of life, faith, food, and shelter. I need nothing else. Help the millions who require these most basic gifts, those in desperate need due to the pandemic and our current systems.

And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;

“What is wrong with the world? I am.”

-G.K. Chesterton

How can I not forgive others when I see the mercy you have given me? How can I not pardon those who seek power over others when I look at the times I have done so myself? How can I not forgive those who have injured me when I have damaged so many of your children along the way…

“No Peace Without Justice, No Justice Without Forgiveness.”

-St. John Paul II

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

It is easy to look outwardly at all the temptations surrounding me, but the greater ones reside in me: power, pleasure, pride, and ego. I want to be heard rather than listen. I want to be served rather than to serve. I want to look at things selfishly rather than sacrificially. Help me resist the temptation to deliver me from the problems of this country; instead, deliver me from myself.

Amen.