This evening in Washington, DC, before a Joint Session of Congress and in the presence of the Supreme Court and the leadership of the Administration and with the nation watching, the President will deliver the State of the Union Address, a constitutional responsibility that the leader of the Nation has to the Legislative Branch. In the address, the President expounds on his observations of the state of the condition of the nation, and with an expression of his hopes for the future. I must confess that in my old age I have grown skeptical of the political rhetoric and find the dysfunctional Congress and Administration, rooted in party and politics rather than the good of the people, to be distressing.
The idea of a "State of the Union" is a good one, though. In fact, in our spiritual journey, we are encourage to take the time to reflect and daily come up with a "State of the Soul" for ourselves in our examination of conscience (a reflection of the condition of our soul during the day), periodically as we prepare ourselves for the affirming Sacrament of Reconciliation, and yearly in the upcoming Call to Repentance that comes with Ash Wednesday's invitation to repent and believe.
Our "State of the Soul" is our examination of conscience. It involves a reflection upon the state of our walk with the Lord. It affirms the blessings and joy of knowing and celebrating God's love in our lives. It requires an honest assessment of our failures to live out the Gospel, not to create or wallow in guilt, but to encourage a return to the Lord and a renewal in grace and favor. It does not include a justifying of ourselves or a selling of our persona. Rather, it demands an honest and heartfelt presentation of ourselves as we stand before the Lord, and a willingness to be loved to new life in his mercy.
Polls and politics will evaluate the President this evening. We are not evaluated as we present our "State of our Soul", but rather we are accepted and loved, by the only One who matters, Jesus, the Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment