Do two walk together unless they have agreed?

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic
And now the Imperial Presidency

Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: AM 3:1-8; 4:11-12; PS 5:4B-6A, 6B-7, 8; MT 8:23-27

Imperial Presidency

I never thought in my lifetime I would see such a rapid disintegration of the constitutional governance of this nation. Yet the Supreme Court yesterday essentially set the standard of the Imperial Presidency firmly. Absolute immunity for official acts and presumption therein is the terrible capitulation to populism and politics.

Do two walk together unless they have agreed?

The sitting President does not want nor believes we should seek such a blank check for the Executive Branch. The convicted former President wants just such immunity past, present and future. How have we fallen for such a farce?

Allowing the Department of Justice interaction with the President to be off limits for review and potential prosecution is a massive error in judgment. How can one say the sitting President is weaponizing the Justice Department and at the same time exempt the Justice Department from Presidential-Executive criminal review? How have we fallen for such weak logic?

Do two walk together unless they have agreed?

Summary

As upsetting as these developments are I stand with Jesus.

Our help is in the name of the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth (PS 124:8).

Reflection

In our gospel portion today, the disciples are contending with a massive sea-storm.

They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?”

Things as they appear are more dark and destructive than they have the power to be.

Personal Reflection

It is hard for me to imagine that the Lord wants democratic-republic institutions to disappear in this current age. The mayhem that will occur from that disintegration will be significant, long lasting and cause great pain for so many. Yet the storm clouds have gathered. The winds are blowing.

These charished things may be a passing moment in the history of humanity. The Dark Ages lasted 500 years. Set your timers.

Sacred Scripture

Full link: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070224.cfm

First Reading

Do two walk together unless they have agreed?

Responsorial

At dawn I bring my plea expectantly before you.
For you, O God, delight not in wickedness;
no evil man remains with you;
the arrogant may not stand in your sight.
You hate all evildoers;
you destroy all who speak falsehood;
The bloodthirsty and the deceitful
the Lord abhors.
But I, because of your abundant mercy,
will enter your house;
I will worship at your holy temple
in fear of you, O Lord.

Lead me in your justice, Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

I trust in the Lord; my soul trusts in his word.

Gospel

As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

2 thoughts on “Do two walk together unless they have agreed?”

  1. The disavowing of a fundamental check and balance among our three branches of government by 3 appointees and 2 unrecused members of the SCOTUS summarily removes the scales of justice. The linchpin designer of our current SCOTUS majority, McConnell, failed to vote for conviction and said the former president was not immune from judicial conviction. Very disheartening times for our democracy.

    Reply

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