by Jim Hug, S.J.
“And Jesus looked around the room,
angry and grieved at their hardness of heart.” [Mk. 3:5]
After listening to the State of the Union address and several Republican responses, I also find myself depressed, angry, grieving at the hardness of heart our politics spews at us.
Through a full hour of claiming some successes and promoting “middle class economics,” President Obama could not [dared not?] once mention the poor of the nation or the world.
Just 2 hours before, PBS posted a news Bulletin:
“The 85 wealthiest people in the world
have more wealth than the poorest 3.6 billion”
[which is half the world’s population].
Not one mention from the president.
And the Republicans who spoke kept insisting that it’s tax breaks for the wealthy that will eventually be what helps the middle class.
“And Jesus looked around the room,
angry and grieved at their hardness of heart.” [Mk. 3:5]
Jim, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I agree with you that we do have a problem with hardness of hearts in congress and our country. However don’t get angry and don’t grieve. I don’t think it helped Jesus I don’t think it will help us. just ask God to give us the strength and courage to go forward and do what we need to do. Anger prevents me from being in touch with the Holy Spirit. Love you!
I do believe that Obama mentioned inequality which has a lot to do with the distribution of wealth. (sacred) anger is certainly a road to action! Thank you for your thoughts Jim.