In the Elections Wake, November 9, 2016

It is inevitable that after an election there will be winners and losers.  While winners feel elated and affirmed, the losers feel depressed and dejected. It is natural. However, as this year’s presidential election was excessively long and unnecessarily negative, its wake leaves a distasteful experience for many. While our people were engaged in debating the issues and in exchanging our opinions, we were civil and respectful of each other. Still the losing side feels that somehow their deeply held convictions were not valued or affirmed. They ask themselves the question as to where have they gone wrong and how did they miss-read the deep angst among so many people who have voted differently from them.  Well, I suppose that this is the consequence of the deep division or chasm that exists between the sides in our country. Rather than wallowing in our misery or gloating over in our victory, let us work together in healing our wounds, building bridges rather walls, and once again beginning to feel the goodness of that one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all, to which we pledge our allegiance. Let’s heed to a verse from the gospel for this Sunday, “But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.”