God’s Laws
God’s laws are not intended to burden or torment us.
Instead they are guideposts that point us in the direction of
good living. Accordingly, good living requires loving God
and loving one another. We should not follow God’s laws
out of fear of what might happen if we don’t, but rather view
them as a foundation for building relationships and trust
with one another and with God.
The Shema prayer of Orthodox Jews is based on the
reading from Deuteronomy today, “Hear, O Israel.” Every
morning people recite the prayer as a profession of their
love for God and pledge their obedience to God throughout
the day. They pass on their love of God to their children,
from one generation to the next.
Treasures From Our Tradition
Just two years ago, we engaged in one of the core
activities of our democratic system: a presidential election.
Actually, the institution of election can be traced to traditions
in the Church, and although bishops are no longer chosen
in this way, abbots and abbesses (heads of monastic
communities) have almost always been elected by full voting
members of their communities. The lifetime appointment
begins when the monks or nuns are gathered in “chapter” at
the death or resignation of the abbot, and fortunately for all
involved, campaigning is not allowed! The members of the
community discern, with prayer to the Holy Spirit, who
among them is the best suited for leadership.
Once chosen, the new leader requests the
blessing of the local bishop, who usually
presides at a ceremony of consecration or
investiture. The ballots are always secret, and a
simple majority must be achieved.
In our American system the Electoral
College is the determining voice in the
presidential election, not the popular election on
a November Tuesday, just as the monastic
chapter is the electorate. Today, most religious
orders elect general superiors in “chapter” by
delegates of the professed members, and usually
for a term of six years. A few, like the Jesuits,
elect for life. At least we don’t have that weight on
our shoulders when we choose a president.
Four years at a time will do!
