Some words and a prayer following the elections

The elections are over, and newly elected officials will take office soon. I have talked with some of you who are reeling from the elections, and are experiencing a mix of negative emotions, and I know there are many in our congregation and church who are experiencing gratitude and a sense of peace at the outcomes of the elections.

The first thing we must do as Christians, is to recognize that both the fear and grief, and also the hope and gratitude are valid. If my Christian brother, sister, sibling is in pain, she is in pain for a reason that is real and not imagined. And if my Christian brother, sister, sibling is rejoicing, she is rejoicing for a reason that is real and not imagined. When we do this we take the first step in fulfilling what Paul wrote about us as the Body of Christ.

If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. (1 Corinthians 12:26)

and

Love does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

The second thing to say, taking a step back (because we can all get caught up in the righteousness of our cause over against others), it is truly a beautiful thing that our Episcopal Church is 1/2 Democrat and 1/2 Republican, because it is a witness to the world that human beings can disagree without violence or hate. Human beings can disagree and still say, "At the end of the day, I will stand with my neighbor and with love." It is a witness to the world that what unites us as Christians, isn't a cult-like group-think, but rather what unites us is the life-changing, free love of Christ, given and poured out each week in the Holy Eucharist. If we stick with love, even when we disagree with or don't understand our neighbor, then the world has hope.

The final thing to say before we pray is what love looks like. In the days following an election, love looks like solidarity. Solidarity with my neighbor, even (and especially) with the neighbor I disagree with. It means putting our arm around our neighbor's shoulders (metaphorically) and saying, "I'll be with you, no matter what. I voted the way I did because I think it will benefit all of us. But if it turns out that an outcome of this election is going to hurt you, I will stand with you and protect you." That's solidarity. None of us can foresee or control all the outcomes of elections. Only God can do that. What we are called to is solidarity with our real, flesh and blood neighbors. We are not called to allegiance to ideas or political parties, but to solidarity with our neighbors.

Now, let us pray. This prayer is adapted from a prayer by St. Clement of Rome:

​Lord, we pray for our nation following the election. Grant to all our elected officials and judges, especially president-elect Donald Trump and vice-president-elect J.D. Vance, health, peace, harmony, and stability, so that they may blamelessly administer the government that you have given them. For you, heavenly Master, the King of the ages, give to human beings glory and honor and authority, so that by devoutly administering, in peace and gentleness, the authority that you have given them, all creation may experience your mercy. We pray that this might be so.
 
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer