Fear of the Lord during the election season

Election years are not glorious, glad, or festive. I do not overflow with joy as I fire up my computer each morning and read the latest impassioned speeches, embarrassing interviews, and contentious sound-bytes.

But “Fear of the Lord is glory and splendor, gladness and a festive crown. Fear of the Lord warms the heart, giving gladness and joy and length of days. He who fears the Lord will have a happy end; even on the day of his death he will be blessed.” (Sirach 1:9-11) Even in an election year? Of course; although it takes keeping a firm hold of my wits and worry as I read.

When my husband and I visited Ireland many years ago, we picked up several small gift books; you know the type, kitschy art and pithy sayings with titles like, “A Brief History of Ireland,” and “Irish Heroes.” Books relegated to the bathroom basket are books that get read, though, and “Irish Wisdom for Parents” is no exception. One of the quotes perfectly encapsulates election rhetoric:

“The three rudenesses of this world are youth mocking old age, health mocking sickness, and a wise man mocking a fool.”

My parents are in their seventies and handsomely white-haired. They also tell me that they are invisible in public places, be it a restaurant or church. No one pays them any attention; most pass by without even a look, let alone a smile or a nod. But they know things that no one else does. Our white-haired neighbors and leaders deserve attention, and not merely a cursory wave. They should be respectfully listened to, even if they are of a different political persuasion.

We see health mocking sickness all the time. Suicide touted as compassionate; food and water tubes called extreme care; aborting babies with health problems peddled as pleasant. The healthy should be caring for the ill, whether actual, friendly care for someone, monetary aid to organizations, or time spent in prayer. Certainly not scorned.

Our newspapers and talk shows are full of people mocking those they think are fools, people with different political and social philosophies. And as much as I may shake my head at other views, I must not fall prey to mocking or calling anyone a fool. I was heartened to read of Supreme Court Justice opposites Scalia and Ginsberg going out for drinks together after work and of Chris Matthews’ book, “Tip and the Gipper: When Politics Worked.” He calls it “a personal history of two political opponents working together for the good of the country.” It can be done.

No matter how clever I think I am, the wisdom of Proverbs tells me, “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.” (3:7) There it is. One person, one family at a time living in the fear of the Lord and turning away from evil. We can do this no matter who runs our beloved country.

The book of Sirach, written in Hebrew around 200 B.C. and discovered in the Qumran Caves in 1947 as part of the Dead Sea Scrolls, continues about the fear of the Lord:

“Those who fear the Lord seek to please him; those who love him are filled with his law. Those who fear the Lord prepare their hearts and humble themselves before him. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord and not into the hands of men, for equal to his majesty is the mercy that he shows.” (2:16-18)

Yes, I will continue to read the speeches and interviews (with a cup of strong, hot tea to calm my constitution!). Yes, I will especially listen to those older than I. Yes, I will vote. But I will neither mock anyone nor live in constant worry. My job is to seek the Lord, to learn more of his law, to bask in his majesty, and to love in his mercy. I will work at storing up treasure in heaven, where my heart resides.

Like the Scripture above, it is the fear of the Lord that gives me a warm heart and fills me with gladness. Joy and blessings come from the fear of the Lord, not the right politics. Let us “Reflect on the precepts of the Lord; let his commandments be your constant meditation. Then he will enlighten your mind and the wisdom your desire he will grant.” (Sirach 6:37).

Even during an election year.

Allison Howell and her family are longtime residents of the Valley. They are Catholic converts and keep a hobby farm full of animals and children. This column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman or its parent company, Wick Communications.