JACKIE CUSHMAN: A Time for Politics — and Religion | Syndicated

Lent, which is derived from the Previous English phrase lencten, or spring, begins simply as winter begins to be oppressive and simply as we transition into the subsequent season. This yr, the primary day of spring is March 20.

Whereas some folks say politics and faith ought to by no means be combined, this yr’s calendar has made that inevitable: Mardi Gras, the final day of celebration earlier than Lent, fell on the identical day because the State of the Union tackle. This yr’s occasion appeared a bit extra regular than final yr’s, with the Home of Representatives chamber crammed with extra folks, lots of them unmasked as allowed for within the newest steering from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.

President Joe Biden started by calling out the aggression of Russian President Vladimir Putin towards Ukraine; his pledge to face with the Ukrainian folks led to a bipartisan standing ovation. His one advert lib line of the night time was a menace to Putin: He “has no thought what’s coming.”

Whereas Biden’s speech was an try to maneuver the nationwide dialog from his dismal approval rankings and attraction to the American folks with a bipartisan message, Biden’s assertion that “I would like you to know that we’re going to be OK” was uninspiring and flat.

After delivering his message of unity with Ukraine, Biden moved to home objects, lots of which had been Democratic want record objects that won’t occur. However he weaved in a single try and rewrite the Democratic Celebration’s historical past of assist for the motion to defund police. “We should always all agree: The reply is to not defund the police. The reply is to FUND the police with the assets and coaching they should shield our communities.” We’ll discover out in November if Biden’s try and shift the political focus from home failures to a united nationwide entrance may have labored.

Lent can also be a time to redirect focus. Lent reminds every of us that we’re to be humble. That, as a substitute of specializing in ourselves, we must always concentrate on God and on how we are able to serve others. This humbling is in opposition to the state of hubris, exaggerated satisfaction or self-confidence, which is all too prevalent in our society. Lent gives us with house to mirror and restore ourselves and our connection to God.

President George Washington understood the significance of private values because the underpinning of a terrific nation. In his farewell tackle, written after serving eight years as our first president, Washington wrote, “Of all of the tendencies and habits which result in political prosperity, faith and morality are indispensable helps.”

President Abraham Lincoln, too, understood that he was however an instrument within the hand of God, and that the need of God would prevail. Nearly midway by means of his first time period, he wrote a personal be aware: “The desire of God prevails. In nice contests every occasion claims to behave in accordance with the need of God. Each could also be, and one should be, mistaken. God can’t be for and towards the identical factor on the similar time. Within the current civil battle, it’s fairly attainable that God’s objective is one thing completely different from the aim of both occasion — and but the human instrumentalities, working simply as they do, are for the most effective adaptation to impact his objective.”

This Lenten season, allow us to even be humbled and reminded of our accountability as residents in our nice nation. A democracy is just as efficient as its residents are lively. It’s our job to exit into our communities and to work collectively to make progress. Allow us to additionally do not forget that Lincoln reminds us that “it’s fairly attainable that God’s objective is one thing completely different from the aim of both occasion — and but the human instrumentalities, working simply as they do, are for the most effective adaptation to impact his objective.” Enable your self to be human and for use by God.