This week’s Reflections was written by the Rev. Peter Grassow of Brookings First United Methodist Church.

For fools rush in where angels fear to tread….

But rattling nonsense in full volleys breaks,

And, never shocked, and never turned aside,

Bursts out, resistless, with a thundering tide.”

(An Essay on Criticism, Alexander Pope published 1711)

English poet Alexander Pope (21 May 1688 – 30 May 1744) calls out the foolishness of the self-absorbed leaders of his day.

Perhaps we too are in such a season, where media commentators have "rattling nonsense" to offer about the presidential elections, and politicians seem "never shocked, never turned aside."

We note the New Testament warning: “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels” (2 Timothy 2:23 NIV). Let us who follow the way of Jesus choose a better way. Remember that Jesus rejected the invitation to take secular power in his name (John 6:15).

He refused to endorse the political groupings in Jerusalem, choosing instead to critique them against the standards of truthfulness and compassion for the poor (Matthew 23).

In this election season let us speak less and listen more; let us choose to temper our opinions with love and compassion; and let us consider voting in a way that cares for the least and the most marginalized.