Lately, I have been thinking about the Reign of God and our participation in helping it to come about – in relation to the November Election. The theme that keeps reappearing in my consciousness is that of Life.

Life in all its forms: from conception to death. No doubt the terrible consequences of the coronavirus that has led to the death of so many people has also prompted my reflections on life.

There are many prisms for a reflection on life:

There is the global concern for the life of the planet: can it survive climate change?

There is the dignity of each person and the right to be born.

There are the lives of those Black people in the United States which have been snuffed out through racial discrimination by some in law enforcement and by the lack of social justice.

There are the lives of those children at our Southern Border who have been forcibly separated from their parents; and adults who were brought here as children from Mexico who are now threatened with deportation to a country not their own.

There are the lives of Native Americans who often lack the necessary health care to effectively fight COVID-19.

There is the life of the economy – because of the coronavirus many people have found themselves out of work, some even becoming homeless.

It seems to me that we are in a struggle to protect the life of:

Honesty

Empathy

Decency

Kindness

Compassion

Forgiveness

We further the Reign of God:

Every time we stand up for life in all its forms.

Every time we seek unity over division.

Every time we seek love over hate.

Every time we choose the truth over conspiracy.

Every time we speak up on behalf of those who are discriminated against.