Here I am! Send Me!
As I was reading the results of the Iowa caucuses—the first real step in the seemingly eternal quest to become President of the United States—I remembered that I once flirted with the idea of running for public office. I thought serving in government in some capacity might be something I would be good at. I quickly dismissed the idea, and I have never regretted the fact that I did not pursue politics.
One of the most disconcerting elements in political campaigns these days—from a run for the presidency to a seat on a local school board—is the demise of truth.
It doesn’t seem to make a difference whether what one says about an issue or about an opponent is true or not. The only thing that seems to matter is whether the statement will score points with one’s political base.
Absent, too, is real debating of the issues. Week after week in this election season, we witness candidates posturing and talking at each other. They make wild assertions without evidence and only seem to respond to one another when they feel a personal offense.
Because of the Argus eyes of social media and 24/7 news coverage it is almost impossible for candidates to engage in logical arguments because they have become slaves to the sound bite, the quick hit, the turn of phrase. Any promise or observation that eats up more than fifteen seconds of airtime is cast aside as useless.
As usual when the stakes are high, money, power, influence, and demagoguery trump truth and civil, productive discourse.
In the first reading this coming Sunday we hear of the call of Isaiah to bear witness for God to the nation. At first, Isaiah did not feel up to the task recognizing that he just might not be a good spokesperson:
“Woe is me, I am doomed!
For I am a man of unclean lips,
living among a people of unclean lips;
yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”
Then one of the seraphim flew to me,
holding an ember that he had taken with tongs from the altar.
He touched my mouth with it, and said,
“See, now that this has touched your lips,
your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.”
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,
“Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?”
“Here I am,” I said: “send me!”
Isaiah 6:3-8
As I contemplate ten more months of presidential politics, I have to ask! Where are all the seraphim with their burning coals when you really need them?
