Message from the Executive Director

Election Day and Psalm 23

The most awaited day has arrived. Although many, exasperated by the bickering and the hurt, by the showers of hate that have fallen upon our land, wish that Election Day pass by like lightening. I guess we Americans, should feel a certain sense of pride in the fact that we are still able to transfer power from one political party to another, but we can't escape the infliction of pain that accompanies such a process.

This is particularly true for the followers of Jesus. We belong to this family called the Church, the blood of our older Brother binds us, the unbreakable bond of the Spirit unites us and still, we cannot resist the temptation to chastise and call our brothers and sisters names.

Today, Psalm 23 surfaced to my heart. The first line says, "The Lord is my shepherd." We are not, and we will not be, lead by a donkey or an elephant, nor should we expect that their respective spokespersons would become our messiahs. We are free to choose to put our hope in what our limited human capacity can achieve through a political process and a political system; but those efforts are doomed to fail if our trust is mainly on human achievements. Our unwavering allegiance to the Shepherd will allow us to see beyond the thirty-second political commercials and enable us to set our sights on eternity.

After the votes are counted and the hundreds of millions of dollars spent in commercials are paid, we will be responsible for: providing health care, promoting a culture of life, caring for the poor and the sick, promoting justice and equality, educating our people, creating jobs for the unemployed and lowering our individual and collective debts. However, even more importantly, after the election is over, we will continue to live in the same neighborhood, work with the same people and worship in the same church; unless those with whom you live, work and worship, all think like you.

Why shall we fear what would happen if Mitt Romney becomes the 45th President of the USA? or if, President Barack Obama is entrusted to complete a second term? Haven't we recited Psalm 23rd for thousands of years, "Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger because You are with me."

We cannot vote God out. The good Shepherd will lead us to a destiny that is shaped by God's love, justice and peace. We can choose to face the challenges of this period of the Kingdom of God alienated from each other; or we can choose to forge our destiny together. Regardless of how you vote, the Lord will indeed continue to be our Shepherd.

That is the project of Christian Churches Together. In Christ, God is determined to bring all things together; that includes you and me. This was not decided by popular vote or any electoral college.

Rev. Carlos L. Malavé