Aliens in America: Day 2

Home Fires 

 'As aliens, live in reverent fear.' (1 Pet. 1:17) 

'To be chosen by God puts us in opposition to the world. That’s why St. Peter addresses his first letter ‘to God’s elect, strangers in the world…’ (1 Pet. 1:1). 

John the Apostle describes the ‘world’ in this way: prideful strutting about, conceding to whatever disordered desire drives us, and fabricating a social ‘self’ that gives us power over our enemies (1 Jn. 2:16).  

Sounds like both candidates vying for the presidency… 

It’s easy to throw stones at these larger-than-life figures populating every screen. Our election as saints merely highlights how worldly we are. The only difference? Beautiful Jesus who invites us to take a hard look at our own fakery and frees us little by little to live true: hating what He hates and loving everyone into the Kingdom, however ragged our efforts.  

Living like an alien in holy fear before Him these days makes a difference. I woke up today having dreamed of two things: the first was a line I couldn’t quite decipher—'the inviolability of God’s moral law.’ I looked it up, and it means the safety and protection of God’s most basic precepts. I guess that means ‘what we can’t not know’: the ten commandments, His truth written on all  our hearts (Rom. 2:15), regardless of faith or nationality.  

I thought of all the ways I have either violated that law or been sorely tempted to: in killing undesirables through slander, bowing down to power badly as to not lose place, leeching other’s light through boasting, lusting sexually and hurting those I most love, cursing God in my temporary afflictions—let me count the ways. Yet mightier than sin is the One who comes shining to cleanse me and to close the gap between the Savior and my not-quite-saved humanity.  

Voila: an alien in America whose only boast is the One who has laid claim to me. He fulfills His own law in me through the tender power of His love. Only Jesus. No fear in love! 

That brings me to the next ‘word’ I dreamt and awoke to this morning: ‘Bring My Kingdom.’ I had a recurring experience of praying for persons in distress, seeking to bring them release through Jesus, who imparted His Father’s rule and reign over them in the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Though I may ‘recall’ the world and its fetters, I actually live out of a new citizenship, a subject of a new Kingdom who has a responsibility to bring that Kingdom to those suffering under the world’s cruelty (‘If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him,’ 1 Jn. 2:15).  

We who have been transferred from one kingdom to another have authority to help others do the same! Only an alien freed by Divine Mercy can do this.  

Politics will intensify and clutter our perspective. Stay Kingdom-minded! Rouse yourself as an alien, as one set apart and raised into the very life of Jesus. The other day I ran into an unbelieving friend and discerned a cloud of darkness around him. I brought the Kingdom to him in a quiet but profound way; the darkness lifted as I encouraged him and prayed. 

God’s Kingdom supersedes our polarized political landscape. In this contentious season, we answer a higher call. Yes, we witness the worst of humanity on display, and we tremble at the violation of His law. Let’s go deeper and remain faithful to the only King worth championing: ‘For it is by God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men’ (1 Pet. 2:15). Let it be so, Holy God.  

‘Jesus, we love Your law, and by Your love that law is fulfilled in us. May we be wholly nonpartisan in loving all persons in a way that answers their deepest cry for love.’  

‘Jesus, You are the King and we are first citizens of Your Kingdom. Would you free us for You in this election season, not to hide but to shine? You’ve always asked nothing less from Your elect whom You have made ‘strangers in a strange land’ (Ex. 2:22). Here we are, a people who don’t know what to do but who look and listen to our King. 

“Father of all holiness,

guide our hearts to You.

Keep in the light of Your Truth

all those You have freed from the darkness of unbelief.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son.”’

Amen