Finally, after about a two year campaign the 2008 presidential election is over...We have a President Elect Barack Obama...  

And while we're still sifting through the debris and fallout caused by the many campaign promises and acerbic accusations made by both major parties, I would like to share some of my own personal thoughts and reflections with you...  

I'll start with the concession speech last night from Senator McCain...I thought it was gracious, supportive of President elect Obama, and unifying in tone!!!  

Fast forward about an hour to President elect Obama's victory speech.......I was listening quite intently for some word or phrase that would give me, a McCain supporter and voter, some reason to have hope in Senator Obama and his ability to lead this country ethically, morally, economically, and spiritually into the next decade...  

There were a number of positive things I observed and heard...  

First of all, watching the faces of his children and wife, Michele, the other faces in the vast crowd with tears streaming down particularly those of African/American heritage...and sensing the Herculean task he takes upon himself at this critical juncture in our nation's history...many emotions parading through my body and spirit...  

Then the speech itself...  

What I personally heard that was uplifting was that President elect Obama is a pragmatist rather than an ideologue...if your antagonist is a pragmatist, and your friends are ideologues, it can provide a glimmer of hope...  

He also recognized the vast millions who voted against him, by iterating He was the president not only of those who voted for him, but those others as well who either voted for another or didn't vote at all...and he promised that he would have to earn the respect of this vast segment of our nation...  

So let the healing begin...let a nation who proclaims to be 'one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all'  finally realize that pledge...!!!  

As many of you regular readers know, I am proud of my Catholic Faith...and I get much strength and guidance from practicing that faith...  

This morning at Mass, there were several readings from Scripture which seemed relevant for this time and this occasion...Keep in mind, the readings at Mass are scheduled and planned years in advance with no apparent relationship to the events of the day, or the climate, or the mood, or the election, or the economic conditions, etc...they are randomly yet systematically planned so that over the course of many years most all of Scripture is read, heard, and proclaimed to and by the faithful...!  

This morning I heard:

Therefore my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children  of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a libation upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.        Philippians 2, 12:18 RSV  

I also heard and prayed the following verses from Psalm 27...    

  1 The LORD is my light and my salvation;
         Whom shall I fear?
         The LORD is the strength of my life;
         Of whom shall I be afraid?
  4 One thing I have desired of the LORD,
         That will I seek:
         That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
         All the days of my life,
         To behold the beauty of the LORD,
         And to inquire in His temple.
 13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
         That I would see the goodness of the LORD
         In the land of the living.         
 14 Wait on the LORD;
         Be of good courage,
         And He shall strengthen your heart;
         Wait, I say, on the LORD!  

God bless America, President Bush, its President elect Senator Obama, all its elected officials, and all those of Good Will...!!!