Living These Days

Author: Mary Patricia Trainor

  • Public Square

    Paralysis

    By Mary Patricia Trainor 

    Donald Trump won the 2024 popular vote, it is true. But not by a landslide. There was no mandate of the people. He didn’t even win by a majority.

    The final count? 49.9 percent. That’s the number published in The Washington Post in its January 20, 2025 edition.

    Most of us already knew this. So why is he acting like the vast majority of Americans wanted him in office? Because he can, without challenge. 

    Why no challenge? Because people are afraid. We’re riled up. We’re exhausted. We’re agitated and angry, and we stay that way because no one is fighting for us, or so it seems.

    And silent anguish helps no one.

    Since his January 20 inauguration Trump has walked all over traditions and laws, pretty much unimpeded. An occasional court has curbed his and Elon Musk’s wanton rampage in Washington. Tsk, tsk.

    Democrats must find their backbone. Republicans who are not MAGA must join them. Independents and Libertarians, it’s time to enlist in the effort, or none of us will have a country to bicker about.

    I’m including two links: one to a Ralph Nader post about silence; and one to a video from Dr. Lorilet Monegro on the psychological power of pre-programmed repetitive language.

    Mr. Nader:

    https://nader.org/2025/03/14/stay-silent-and-stay-powerless-against-trumps-tyranny/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJDczJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHToQgG1Yhs1KEqEyDxTNcDDZae9y5CHFTa3TnXU6ktQDN5zckqhNi9bTlA_aem_QFVDNewu409ks-VhX0RNyg

    Dr. Lorilet:

    https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Ke7wuEhxp/?mibextid=oKfgLb

  • Sacred Text

    Money and religion

    John 2:13-22

    https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=100889582

    Dear friend,

    Today’s Gospel offers the dramatic account of Jesus clearing the temple of sacrificial animals and money changers.

    These activities, he says, profane God’s house, and must go.

    Whip of cords. Pouring out money. Overturning tables. This scene always makes me wonder: What’s going on today in houses of worship that would displease Jesus?

    Coffee hour? Collection plates? Stewardship campaigns?

    Maybe. Maybe our comfortable practices have become more comfortable than they should. Maybe they warrant periodic scrutiny?

    What do you think?

  • Sacred Text

    Luke 1:26-38
    Let it be with me, according to your word.


    Dear friend,


    Today is often celebrated as Shrove Tuesday. Tradition notes that this day was a good time to clear out the larder in preparation for Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the
    penitential season of Lent.


    Scripturally, it makes sense to me that we begin with the beginning, the annunciation to Mary of her role in salvation history. A role she so beautifully accepted.


    March is deemed as Women’s History Month, and I can think of no better woman to write about today than Mary, the biological mother of Jesus of Nazareth. In the scripture selected for today, we encounter the angel Gabriel announcing to this unmarried girl
    that she will become pregnant.


    Mary’s response? “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” Gabriel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.”


    The cost could be high for this girl, who became pregnant out of wedlock. She could have been beaten for this development. But she landed on the side of faith, and told Gabriel she was all in:
    Let it be with me, according to your word.


    I believe that being a person of faith should put us in danger at times. Sometimes I wonder if I take that seriously enough. Maybe you wonder something similar.


    Here is a list of things that might happen if I insist on putting myself on the Lord’s side:
    Embarrassment
    Inconvenience
    What will people think?
    I might get hurt
    I might be rejected
    I might be ridiculed
    Am I crazy?
    Do others have this call, too?
    Is this really necessary?


    Jesus’ journey ended on a cross of torture. He said those who follow him also will have a cross to bear, a price to pay for living into our faith in him.

    May Mary’s response be my very own: Let it be with me, according to your word.

  • Sacred Text

    Ev’rywhere I go, I’m goin’ let it shine
    Ev’rywhere I go, I’m goin’ let it shine,
    Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine *


    Dear reader—


    What is sacred text?


    I believe most people can agree that religious canon—for example. the Holy Bible, the Torah, the Koran—are most obviously sacred text. Taking it further, we can say that well established pieces—including hymnody—also may serve the purpose of canon to teach, inspire, guide us in a life of faith.


    In the Episcopal Church tradition, our faith is facilitated by The Book of Common Prayer, especially by what it calls the three-legged stool: Scripture, tradition, reason.**


    Today—among other clergy, undoubtedly—I have in mind a well-known hymn inspired by Christian canon: This Little Light of Mine.


    Its idea is prompted directly from Matthew’s Gospel for today, in which Jesus says, “You are the light of the world.”


    Ev’rywhere I go, I’m goin’ let it shine
    Ev’rywhere I go, I’m goin’ let it shine
    Everywhere I go, I’m goin’ let it shine
    Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.


    Similarly, a bit later, he says, “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works…”


    This Little Light of Mine has enjoyed broad usage,  as a children’s song, or as a song of political resistance as when it was used at the 1964 Democratic National Convention.


    I don’t know how it touches you, but for me, I hear this message: Whatever talent, whatever gift, you’ve been given, use it. And it with all of your heart. It isn’t ours to measure and to dismiss, but rather to use for the good God’s people.

    Listen to NPR audio (click here)


    This idea shapes what belief looks like, what ministry looks like. Never mind the bigness and littleness of our gifts. Put it out there. Go all in. Let God sort it out.

    In my neighbor’s home, I’m goin’ let it shine
    In my neighbor’s home, I’m goin’ let it shine
    In my neighbor’s home, I’m goin’ let it shine.
    Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

    *This Little Light of Mine, African American spiritual, 19th century. Number 221 in Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing, a hymnal of The Episcopal Church.

  • Sacred Text

    A reflection on Mark 11:12-26

    The lectionary for today offers up a selection from the eleventh chapter of the Gospel of Saint Mark. It is rich with opportunities of connecting with our lives.

    I’m only going to take on one of the offerings, that of the fig tree. Jesus and his entourage are hungry. He spots a fig tree. As it was not fruit-bearing season for figs, this tree had no fruit for Jesus to eat.

    He read it the riot act: “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And no one ever did. When the group passed the tree again, they pointed out to Jesus its withered form.

    Everything Jesus tells us offers a lesson. But what is the lesson here? How can a tree bear fruit out of its season.

    Each human being, some believe, are to bear fruit worthy of the Creator. What we say and what we do should reflect the hands that made us. A food-bearing tree offers God’s love through being a source of strength and stamina. Endurance. Perseverance for the faith cannot hold if the physical body is weak.

    The lesson for me? For you? I find it helpful to offer some space to the fig tree lesson. Each of us, definitely me, maybe you, has times of great fruitfulness over a lifetime. Sometimes, though, God needs us “out of season.” Or maybe it’s I’m too busy, I’m too distracted, I’m too tired.

    But I think excuses do not get me off the hook. As with the little fig tree, Jesus may have need of me just when I think I have nothing else to offer. And so I must try. Because it’s Jesus asking.

  • Verse

    The lesson of the fig tree

    The barren tree stood tall and proud,
    Its leaves a lush and empty shroud.
    Yet when the Master came in need,
    No fruit was there, no faithful seed.

    With solemn word, He cast it dry,
    Its branches bowed, its roots denied.
    Yet in this sign, a truth was sown,
    A call to hearts not yet full-grown.

    For faith is more than outward show,
    It lives in fruit, it dares to grow.
    The withered tree was not the end,
    But love’s rebuke, a call to mend.

    So let us bear, in season true,
    The fruit of grace in all we do.
    For hearts that trust, both firm and free,
    Will never face a withered tree.

    Anonymous

  • Public Square

    Ready to serve

    Every day within the new Washington regime is like a ride on Stratosphere X-Scream in Las Vegas. The ups, the downs, the being dangled over the Strip nearly 900 feet up.

    While the playful analogy may suggest that one terrifying event is equivalent to another, nothing is further from the truth.

    Because riding the X-Scream is a choice, and those who ride report that it’s a great trip.

    Not so for the horrifying ride America is taking at the hands of an unelected official wandering through Washington departments like a farmer taking a scythe to his hayfield. It feels like we are being presented with a new horror every day. Jobs lost. People unemployed. Families devastated. Darting about from one area to another may seem chaotic, and it also feels purposeful, like a shell game. Move the shells around quickly enough and very few can determine where the pea ends up. The average American cannot keep up with the hurried pace and dizzying shakeups. Nor can we measure the best way to combat the craziness and stop the nonsense while it can still be stopped.

    The courts have been helpful in slowing a few things down. But more help from Congress is not readily available at the moment. A few solid Republicans must martial the courage it will take to face down the madness. History will describe them as heroes, but that will take awhile. In the meantime they must face a vengeful president who does not know how to negotiate and, more than that, is known for getting even with people who cross him.

    And we mere citizens, we don’t get excused from the courage hook either. I feel big change in Washington cannot occur without us. Our role is more confused, less clear. We are the citizenry, and our voices can empower those we have elected to the House and Senate to represent us. Whereas speaking up is THEIR job, they need our backing to do it. But we all have daily lives, work, school, caretaking a relative. These are fundamental responsibilities that should not be shirked.

    What we need is a call to duty, and a catalog of duties that are doable–big or little–that will further the cause of protecting the American democracy. Somehow Democratic leadership needs to get itself organized and start rallying those who cherish freedom. If we don’t get our act together, I fear there is a point in time where our action may be too late.

    What a sorrowful state of affairs. What can we do?

  • Sacred Text

    Idols versus God
    A reflection on Psalm 115
     Idols a
    Think of an idol as a god that people make. For most believers, there is one God. A buck-stops-here God. A Holy God.

    Idols abound in this world we call home. Idols that can draw attention away from the holy.

    Now these idols are not little figurines, or images of what we think God must look like. If they were, it would be easy to spot them and walk away.

    No, idols are much more subtle, things like money, charm, popularity, fame. Think about idols any time you hear the words, “I’d give anything for…..” 

    Ambition can be a form of idol, moving up the ladder. It’s seductive, and it’s difficult to separate out from a healthy approach to doing your job well in this world.

    A friend once said to me, “If you want to see what you worship, watch where your money goes.” Cars, jewelry, decor, clothing, education, charity? 

    What does my spending—beyond for basic needs—say about my values?

  • Verse

    Unbind


    You stand at the threshold,
    feet tangled in roots of doubt,
    hands full of what-ifs,
    as if they were stones to carry—
    as if you were meant to bear their weight.
    The road waits, unmoving,
    not a whisper of judgment,
    not a sigh of impatience—
    just an open stretch of light
    that has always been yours.
    What if the door is not locked?
    What if the sky is not falling?
    What if the only thing between you
    and forward
    is the story you keep telling yourself?
    Loosen your grip.
    Let the stones fall.
    Step through.

    Anonymous.

  • Public Square

    5 Calls Can Help



    Maybe you’re feeling as I do, in somewhat of a liminal state. That place between this and that. That space between the jump off and the landing. A feeling of being unmoored, perhaps in danger, but how can we tell?

    A liminal state can be kind of exciting for adrenaline fans, kind of frightening for the already-anxious.

    What I am defining as a liminal state is the current condition  of affairs in the United States of America. In the words of an old song, are we going ninety miles an hour down a dead end street?

    Too many changes, too quickly, with questionable hands at the wheel, decisions seeming rash, abrupt, reckless?

    Maybe you even voted for the man at the top, but never expected such quick and extreme actions in such a variety of directions, as if the latest hurry-up is intended to distract us from our worry over previous decisions. 

    For sure, it’s a way to paralyze voters. If we don’t like something that is happening, what are we to do? Wait to see if the next uprooting is even more upsettling. Or the one after that? Or the one after that? Will we act in time?

    Well, I’m done with being paralyzed. And you can be, too. A friend told me about an “app” that lets me register my thoughts immediately with elected officials, the only people who can help—besides the courts.

    Here’s the app. It’s name is 5 Calls. It identifies current issues that may concern you and me, and (once you’ve entered a ZIP code) you receive names of your federal representatives and how to connect to their offices. It provides–should you feel the
    need–sample comments you can use or incorporate with your own content. You can also do this online. Here’s a link to the 5 Calls web site.

    As far as I can see, this puts decision-making into the hands of the people affected–exactly where it belongs.