Political drama in the United States is like humidity in Florida; it fluctuates up and down, never reaching a steady state. At this point in the recurring drama cycle, we are approaching the peak of anxiety season when everyone frets about the future. Those who think Cervantes’ Don Quixote was insufficiently idealistic, as well as those who think Orwell’s Big Brother was too tolerant toward dissenters, can agree on one thing, namely, that we are all doomed. Sadly, the history of politics doesn’t offer much solace for our misery. 

At the beginning of the twentieth century, American politics was characterized by entrenched isolationism.  Isolationism was rejected when it became apparent that the war in Europe posed a threat to American lives.  After the first world war, political sentiment shifted toward social awareness.  President Roosevelt’s “New Deal” was one of several federal projects inspired by concern for social welfare.  The liberal mindedness of the 1930’s gave way to deep-rooted discrimination in the 1950’s; this led to social revolution in the 1960’s.  As the “Hippy” generation aged, they shifted political sentiment toward the economic protectionism, xenophobia, and nationalism popular today.   

If the past is a predictor of the future, our country is probably approaching another turning point when conservatism will give way to liberalism.  Some will find this prospect gratifying, while others will find it horrifying.  I tend to think it’s merely predictable. 

There is an important lesson that can be learned from history, I think.  The lesson is that we tend to overestimate our astuteness and wisdom.  The oscillation between conservatism and liberalism in our country has not been quite so wild as it has been in European politics, but it has been equally as repetitive.  The problem isn’t simply that the fixed ideas that overshadow opposing opinions are considered to be the only valid ones, until they’re not.  The problem has another dimension, namely, that the median between the two extremes is no more permanent or satisfactory than the extremes. 

The real problem might be that human nature is essentially unstable – that we are incapable of managing our lives adequately for more than a few moments at a time. I think that’s what the author of John’s Gospel had in mind when he wrote, “the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil.” 

The Scriptures propose an idea that is uniformly rejected by the political left, right, and center, namely, that human nature is chronically infatuated with self-destructive behavior.  The Scriptures propose a remedy for our self-destructiveness; it is a light that is not our own.  Very few people seem to be willing to accept this proposition – a lamentable situation that reminds me of an old joke. 

Doubtless, you’ve heard the joke about the man who waved his arm over his head and said, “Doctor, it really hurts when I do this!”  The doctor responded, “Then don’t do that!” 

If you find the pettiness and narrowmindedness of politics to be disconcerting, then don’t participate in the pettiness and narrowmindedness.  Instead, step out of the darkness of human wisdom and step into the light of Divine wisdom.  The author of John’s Gospel wrote, “whoever lives the truth comes to the light.”  The “truth” is the obvious fact of our self-destructiveness, and the “light” is the mercy of God that redeems us from our sins. 

It isn’t strictly necessary for your life to turn constantly in circles like a load of laundry in a dryer.  It is possible to step out of the repetitive cycle of rigid opinions that change more often than the tides. The transition from constant turmoil to dependable peace requires a change in the way one thinks and decides. The Scriptures call this change “repentance.” Repentance happens when one chooses to be guided by God’s actions rather than by one’s own reactions.  God’s consistent action toward both the just and the unjust is to forgive and show mercy. 

If mercy seems like a brighter idea than turmoil, the season of Lent is an ideal time for repentance because, at Easter, the whole Church celebrates the dawn of God’s healing mercy in the death and resurrection of Jesus. If you want to see the truth clearly, it’s time to step into the light of Christ.