In these dark,cold days the State of the Union depresses me but works of mercy lift my spirits. If you listened or read President Obama’s State of the Union Address you will find little or no mention of poor, marginalized, people in need, low income, racism, military spending, defense spending, money for war hurting poor, the rising gap between rich and poor in the USA or even poverty. The triplet evils of militarism, racism and poverty. of Martin Luther King Jr. did not make the speech.

Listening to the speech, driving back and forth to your suburban home you might believe that all is well in this country and not even see or feel the underlying decay these three evils are bringing to America.

Many Americans know instinctively and feel in their gut what is happening to Americans, the greater lack of equality and opportunity that grows each day. Some may excuse the President from the injustice and violence in the USA because he is Black, Democrat or Liberal. But it does not matter. He is just the front man for what would some would call “the fifthly rotten system.”

Now when I look at works of mercy. I feel good. Acts like driving someone to a bus stop or doctor’s appointment, moving someone, being kind to a person with a mental illness or visiting prisoners give me hope and renewal my spirit. Acts of kindness lift people’s spirits, the giver and receiver.

Applying the “discernment of spirits” of St. Ignatius of Loyola to thinking of political situation in this country and to works of mercy, I can discern from the interior movements what are the good spirits and what are the evil spirits. Thinking about the speeches of politicians, like the one tonight or the one by Governor last week, leave me feeling down and depressed while thinking about acts of mercy leave me uplifted. Using this method of discernment it is clear that God’s will is to do works of mercy and not listened to promises of politicians.

By ignoring the triplet of evils the President and leaders ignore the reality of evils in our lives. People doing the works of mercy remind us of God’s will and the good in our lives. Discern and Choose!

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