Toxicity needs a rest; Charity needs a renaissance

It's disheartening to watch anything involving Pres. Obama these days.

Instead of seeing civil expressions of support or discontent about his policies, we see instead a rabid, inflexible hatred on one side...and a meek, disorganized response on the other. (Former Pres. Bush endured a similar political environment, though his responses might not be characterized as meek.)

In today's political climate, lots of folks are getting riled up, but nothing is getting done. And there's a lot to do...and a lot we need to do right now. A short list could easily include dealing with: climate change,the deficit, energy independence, health care, clean air, clean water, social security, a poorly recovering economy, and two wars that are an awfully long way from home.

I was encouraged then, during this toxic American political/social/economic season, to read Pope Benedict XVI's Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth.) The Pope unapologetically urges us to reach back to our Christian roots and live in charity. To face unpleasant truths and address them with generosity, justice and love. To work not for ourselves so much as for the common good.

After forty-some-odd years of abject "individualism," these are not easy words for your average American to swallow. Charity as a way of life? Sharing personal wealth (counted in either time, money or emotion) with those who've not earned it.? Taking less than my fair share of the American pie? Blasphemy! Communism!

Yet, what are the options? To continue to march angrily (or passively) past the problems of the present is akin to riding your children's best horse straight to Hades. I bet that's one thing everyone agrees upon: We really don't want to go there.

Christ shared the answer with us long ago. Pope Benedict XVI eloquently reminds us again in Caritas in Veritate. Experience teaches us that charity is a better way to live our lives, and thus our politics. And, of course, charity begins at home, and in one's heart.

May peace and charity finds thier way to all of us.