"...to love all that is true and noble, just and pure, lovable and gracious...."
Baptism scene Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico photo by author In the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church (a tradition in which I am ordained) we have a rite for Thanksgiving for the Birth of a Child in which we pray: "...give (the parents) calm strength and patient wisdom as they seek to bring this child to love all that is true and noble, just and pure, lovable and gracious, excellent and admirable, following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ." I'm a parent. I know my failures to exemplify for my daughters all the virtues here described, but I thank God that they grew up to be young women whose lives lead me to be grateful that they have gone so far along the road toward being human in the best sort of way. It is with children in mind today that I lament what seems to be the new normal in American politics. That new normal is a poisonous, toxic atmosphere in which truth and basic decency are being sacrificed an...