Election day. At least for we Canadians. An election of consequence! One for the ages. Generationally important! “During the greatest crisis of our lives!”. As if September 11th, the 2008 financial collapse, the 2020 globe-go-round pandemic, and recent prorogued parliament led by JT & Co. wasn’t crisis enough. For many, Trump has pricked an existential nerve. Repatriated many lost Canadians within the “post-national state”. The threat of our sovereignty is at stake! For others, the election is hits closer to home. A crisis of different sorts. One of crime, taxes, and the very-real-back-breaking-cost-of-living. (The same cost-of-living crisis that squeezed my family and I out of Ontario. A decision we are still adjusting to everyday.)
But to me, this election has proven to be a crisis of conscience.
I will be honest: this election has me by my gills. Normally, I’m not overly political. Of course, I vote. For every party at one time or another. And I follow the news and keep up with the goings-on as much as the next person. (Especially watching our neighbours to the south - which is like driving by the scene of an accident - of which, I was taught not to look. Sorry dad, I can’t help it. Chaos is captivating.)
Maybe this election is different. Maybe I’m just getting older. But I’m obsessed. Have been for some time. Religiously following the campaigns and promises for months. Deciphering the candidates. Their records and rhetoric. Trying to ascertain who will be best to run our country. Who will lead us into a prosperous future! Unsurprisingly, no one person or party has been overly inspiring. They all suck in their own way. As do their parties. And at times it’s rather depressing. I’ve found myself foaming at the mouth one minute. Whining on the floor another. Mostly scared for my future. What’s left in my bank account. My kid’s futures. Worried that maybe, we’ve already lived through the best years of our lives. Perhaps, it’s all down hill from here. My first forty were gravy; the next forty will be gruelling. And in all my wondering and prognostications, I forgot the only truth that matters.
“My Kingdom is not of this world.”
I stole that line from Jesus. Pretty good, eh? Yah, no, for sure.
But I didn’t steal this line because I am person of faith or a practising Christian. Though both are true. I’ll claim Jesus’ line for what it means to me personally. For its mystery. Beyond the obvious Christian connotations. Jesus isn’t solely speaking of an earthly Christian Kingdom. One ruled by churches and priests and popes. Rest in peace Pope Francis. “The Kingdom” is something else. Something more. An appeal to the imagination. A stirring of empathy towards others. Something future oriented. Holding a vision of a reconciled humanity to the divine, and each other. One that transcends time and culture. And it can’t be physically possessed or politically distilled. Or theologized or dogmatized. A reality that can’t be owned. Or sold. Or summarized on a party pamphlet. A truth that is real, yet lives unseen. Unbound by borders, flags, and election cycles. “The Kingdom”, I believe, is people. Folks who don’t all fly the same flags. Or even believe the same things. Or go to the same rallies. But are pulling in the same direction for the same reason: to see human flourishing for goodness’ sake.
And being a part of that kingdom takes real imagination. Curiosity. Playfulness. Story and art. Childlikeness, one might say.
No empire lasts forever. OZYMANDIAS calls from the sands! I also know that there is a life and death cycle to all sociological movements and political tides. There are ebbs and flows to everything. Canada is not forever. And being swept up in nationalism or political fervour is fleeting. That’s half our problem. What has been polarizing us all along. Rene Girard called it years ago: “Rivals become so obsessed with each other that they mirror each other's emotions and actions, ultimately leading to destructive consequences!” It’s no surprise that we’re at each others throats. Locked in a polarized “fight for the ages!” The most predictable human behaviour. I’m just disappointed I let myself get swept up in it.
My Kingdom - the one I really care about - is not on this year’s ballot box. Best take my own advice and become like a child again. Even though kids can’t vote.
