Temperatures dipped quite low this morning and wind chill factors went below zero. I bundled up and headed out for a brief walk despite the cold air. As I prepared to step out the door I noticed a couple of rabbits huddled up close to the house seeking a little shelter from the brisk wind. They were reluctant to give up their warm spot and run away due to my presence, but it was evident they were also a bit concerned as to whether or not I was a friend or foe.
A few days ago I witnessed a jackrabbit running at full steam out of the prairie grass onto the driveway, down to the road, and eventually disappeared from view. A few moments later the unsuccessful coyote in pursuit of the jackrabbit was standing in the driveway and looking for the next opportunity to grab lunch. The coyote was obviously a foe to the jackrabbit. The cycle of life (and death) is ever present for these critters.
On a human level, the recent terror attacks have heightened our fears, if not our awareness. Who is a friend and who is a foe? Does our country (and other countries) accept refugees as they seek shelter from the violence in their homeland? How do we know who is friend and who is foe? There is a legitimate concern for safety. Are we risking attacks in our own homeland by accepting people without a thorough vetting process? The political rhetoric is often detrimental to good decision-making in these difficult times. It seems that there is more interest in scoring political points than there is in solving problems in many instances.
Liberals wanting to throw open our borders with full amnesty and citizenship remind others constantly that they are the compassionate ones living up to Gospel values. If people who call themselves Christian would simply get on board all would be right with the world. They view conservatives as people who are filled with hate and scared of “widows and orphans.”
Conservatives remind liberals that we are a nation of laws. Rewarding people who enter the country illegally is not the role of government. The role of government is to enforce the laws. This issue was difficult enough to address before the Syrian refugee crisis, but it has escalated to a whole new level now. One of the constitutional roles of the federal government is to protect the citizens. Will it do that or will it put us in harm by allowing mass immigration with very little safeguards in place?
This type of back and forth posturing is what keeps the 24 hour news channels going. I do not have access to all of the intelligence information provided to our government from a variety of sources. Thus, I cannot make well-informed suggestions as to what we should or should not do. There are enough political pundits already spouting off opinions; I don’t need to join that crowd. I have more questions than answers anyway.
1. How did we let the chaos get to this level without prior intervention?
2. How have we allowed the extermination of Christians to take place without getting involved?
3. Who is pulling the political strings in all of this?
4. What are the personal agendas of our leaders?
5. Have the lies, deception, and lust for power among our political leaders become so ingrained that we are a nation headed to self-destruction just as other magnificent empires have done in the past?
6. Are we living in the end times?
As we near the beginning of the Advent season and spend some time reflecting on the second coming of Christ, be sure to seek the Lord’s mercy and forgiveness. None of us know the day nor the hour when we will be called from this earth. Be prepared. Seek shelter in the only safe place that exists–the love of Jesus Christ. Welcome the Sacred Heart of Jesus to extend the rays of Divine Mercy into your life.
As we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King this weekend, make a commitment to allow Christ to reign in your life.
