Rand Paul and the Gospel of Luke


In his victory speech earlier tonight Rand Paul proclaimed that the United States of America "is the greatest nation in the history of the world." Really? A nation where rage rules the roost? Where anger is the archetype from which all action arises? Where campaigning for public office consists of demeaning one's opponent and drowning out all contrasting points of view? Where ignorance of the great panorama of history makes for the bliss of self-aggrandizement? Where the well-being of neighbors in need lies, battered and bloodied, on the altar of one's own self-enrichment?

Wake up, America: This is the morning of our new day. What has become of hope? The reasoned voice of the NY Times' David Brooks pointed out in his Nov. 1 column that "Democratic victories are always ascribed to hope; Republican ones to rage." Now, more than ever, we need the Gospel of Luke to remind us of the perils of such arrogance and to feed us with the hope that has been swallowed up in the tidal wave of Republican rage. 

"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted." (Luke 18:10-14)

The peace of Christ be with you all - now more than ever!

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