It has been noted by people much wiser than I that “The Arc of the Universe bends toward the Good”. As in no other period in my 70 years of life here in the United States since the late 1960s and early 1970s, we need to hear and embrace this truth anew as we mark the beginning of a New Year. Pundits on all sides of every issue prophesy of the death of “life as we know it” in our beloved nation and indeed the world. The continued and seemingly uncontrollable spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in all of its variants denies everyone of that essential sense of safety and security as weighing risk factors colors every decision we make and step we take.
So it comes as no surprise when people turn away from the blessed Source of Life and Peace who alone can shield and protect us—these days largely through the inspiration God provides among the brilliant minds in our scientific community. Caught in a web of fear and confusion—the favored weapons of the evil around and even in us—instead of clinging to the actual Savior whose never-ending love and care will get us through our current crises, so many in our world seek salvation in armed might, the false promises of men perceived to be strong and protective leaders, the ever-narrowing identity of tribal culture, or by simply denying the truth laid bare before them.
Personally, I choose to stand alongside St. Paul, the founder of the Church as separated from the rich traditions of Judaism. To the fear-filled, persecuted members of the early church in Rome, Paul wrote: “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39; emphasis mine)
Choose the good, dear friends. Choose the good by choosing God in Christ Jesus and you will be as aligned as possible with Holy Love who lies at the heart of the universe and finds expression in every aspect of Creation. And there is peace, hope and life enough to fill your days with joy. A Blessed New Year to one and all.