Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12)

The news this week has been very difficult for most of us. There was a young African American boy on Long Island that was bullied online. They sent him images of the KKK and super-imposed his image on a gorilla and other disturbing photographs. There was a news story that a Trump supporter was not being served because he was wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat. A judge ruled that it is legal to deny Trump supporters service at a business. I heard many people on the internet who have increased their mental temperament from anger to rage over the immigration issue. What are we to do?

My first reaction is to be upset at all the news that is coming out this week. My defense mechanism is to avoid all forms of media and not encourage those who are sharing their political anger on Facebook. My next instinct is to pray about all the tension in America and try to bring people together through the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. In our Baptismal Covenant last Sunday, we all promised to proclaim by WORD AND EXAMPLE the Good News of God in Christ, to love our neighbor as ourselves, and strive for justice and peace, and to respect the dignity of every human being. Racism is completely unacceptable. Children are our treasure and should not be separated from their parents.  Hatred toward the other political party is not Christian behavior. If we want to change America for the better, we need to have compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Please vote your conscience and get your people into office, but please treat your neighbors (and especially fellow St. John’s parishioners) with dignity and respect regardless of their political views.  We are a divided nation that is starting to have a mob mentality. Make a difference by standing up against injustice, helping the poor, feeding the hungry, and clothing the naked. Use your energy to do good and to make a difference.

In Christ's love, 

Fr. Duncan