Shade Tree Wisdom 11/13/07

It was sort of balmy this morning, but there is a hint of more chill to come. No complaint, just a comment. That means, Chuck, soon you will be seeing that flow of winter vehicles heading south on I-75, and snow birds will be coming to the Rio Grand Valley in Texas and all along the Gulf Coast for the winter.

In the news is a probe of evangelicals by the Senate Finance Committee. That raises concerns. The IRS already has in place guidelines and rules to prevent excessive personal gain from tax-exempt work. The reaction to this news is two-fold. One is expressing concern that this is the nose of the camel, and soon your doorbell will ring with agents asking about your contributions to church and charity.

The other reaction says, “It’s about time". Which raises another question, “Why are we so often too quick to resort to the law in any such thing.” What is happening to the truth we learned in Catechism, “Put the best construction on everything”?

But politics is ever in the news. People are already running hard for the office of the President of our country. That brings up this, “How do we act in this business?” Well, study the issues, and then cast your vote. That is your Christian duty.

The other question runs deeper. How does a Christian live now? For some idea, let’s turn to the letters of St. Peter. He wrote to a people he addressed as “God’s elect”, and “scattered abroad”, and living in an environment very hostile to them. For them times were difficult because they were no longer “setting their minds on the evil desires they once did”. They were different, walking to the music of a different drummer. Christ was their head. So they were embattled. And the politics of the day did not favor their life style at all. Yet Peter reminds them that they must “submit for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men”. For Peter reminded them, as did St. Paul, “For there is no authority except that which God has established”. Romans 13,1. And then Paul adds that the government is “God’s servant to do you good”. V.4.

Throughout history, Christians have been put to death because they lived by a different standard that did not blend in. In the Roman system, any god was all right, but you had to admit that “Caesar was God”. And Christians admitted of only one. Jesus Christ, so thousands lost their lives.

We are “A chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God”. 1 Peter 2,9. “Aliens and strangers” v.11, Peter calls us. “So remember friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourself comfortable in it” v.11 MSG.

So we live like that, vote like that, and always continue to pray for “kings and for all that are in authority”. Always remembering psalm 2, “He that sitteth in the heavens” is in control.

So live like that. Cast your vote, and then pray for the government elected. Seek the peace of the city, work for the good of all, and may God ever bless your life and work.

GPD 11/13/07