The most meaningful reflection on the election of Donald Trump as President-elect that I read was by Richard Rohr. He promised that in this hour of darkness he would continue to stand with the vulnerable who are now the most fearful and the most exposed – the immigrants, African Americans and all who are feeling isolated now: ‘For the vulnerable who have now been rendered more vulnerable, I lament and pray and promise to stand with you’ wrote Richard Rohr in a recent letter.
Recalling the Jewish experience in the Bible, Rohr calls this a time of Exile for the American people. And Exile is a time for personal reflection -self-introspection and national introspection. That is what the prophets –Isaiah, Jeremiah etc announced during the long and painful Exile in Babylon(596-538). These humble prophets speaking truth to power, calling for justice laid the solid foundation for Jesus’ teaching and solidarity with the poor and the outcast- 500 years later. The priorities of the new community formed around Jesus became justice for the poor and oppressed, inclusion and compassion.
According to Rohr: “Our message is not primarily political, it is much more pre-political and post-political—with huge socio-political implications. We thus need to rebuild from the bottom up!” he added.
“This election has solidified in us an urgent commitment to action and contemplation, which now seems needed more than ever before. Grounding social action in contemplative consciousness is not a luxury for a few, but surely a cultural necessity. Both the Christian religion and American psyche now need deep cleansing and healing, and I do not say that lightly.
“Only a contemplative mind can hold our fear, confusion, vulnerability, and anger and guide us toward love. Let’s use this milestone moment to begin again with confidence and true inner freedom and to move out into the world with compassion.”
Rohr finishes his reflection about the times we live in with a prayer he composed for this moment:
All vulnerable and merciful God,/We do not know what is ours to do./We feel scared and alone today./We are tired of taking sides./We cannot hold any more fear or anger or rejection./And yet we know so many of our friends feel unheard and unwanted./Help us trust that no feeling is final,/And that YOU will have the full and final word./If You are indeed a Suffering God, may we hold this suffering with You for those who voted for Hillary Clinton, for those who voted for President-elect Donald Trump, and for the many who have felt excluded by our politics in the many ways that we do indeed exclude./We offer ourselves as best we can to hold this Love outward and open toward all, just as You never cease to do toward us. /We believe You are praying this prayer through us. Amen
This prayer might be said by people of good-will all over the world at this uncertain time.
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