The State of the Union

LINK: Text of President Obama’s State of the Union Address

PHOTO: CHARLES DHARAPAK/ ASSOCIATED PRESS
Two phrases from President Obama’s State of the Union address remain with me this morning. One is “a deficit of trust.” He was talking about American’s lack of trust in their government and the lack of trust between our political parties. It makes working together impossible. No compromise, no legislation, no progress. The status quo reigns when those responsible for leadership and change don’t believe that others share their vision and genuinely want what is best not for their re-election but for the country.

The second phrase came early in the speech when Mr. Obama recalled times of uncertainty of the very existence of the United States. It was not predetermined or destined to be. “We chose to move forward as one people,” Mr. Obama said. As a people we must chose to move into the future, but there is no movement without trust.

Implications of the national deficit of trust are clear: No movement. No change. The poor, uninsured, and unemployed will continue to live in fear of illness or accident. They will wake up worried about basic food and shelter. Jobs that do not provide living wages will continue to look better than no job at all, a reality many stare in the face everyday.

This morning I am thinking also of effects of a “trust deficit” in situations other than the current impasse in the US government. Lack of trust effects relationships between countries making fear mongering easier and isolation attractive. Combating ignorance and the fear that fuels prejudice and violence is impossible when one feels threatened by the other.

Employees generally are not as productive as they might be when suspicious supervisors and managers monitor their every move expecting the worst. When enthusiasm for the company’s work is lost and everyone looks out for personal advancement at the expense of others, morale plummets.

Relationships crumble without trust. Marriages fail when the partners no longer believe that the other has the best interest of both at heart, but focuses on himself or herself instead. Friendships wither when not watered by trust.

And what of the most personal form of trust: trust in God-With-Us? In the wake of Haiti’s devastating earthquake, I have heard people question the existence of God: “It makes belief in a benevolent God hard to hold on to,” one person said. The age-old question of God and suffering resurfaces whenever a natural disaster occurs. Tragedies in our personal lives can elicit similar responses: serious illness or death of a loved one, loss of job, betrayal, or shattered relationships.

How does one continue to trust when the evidence seems to indicate otherwise?
One chooses faith. Mr. Obama reminded us of dark times in our country’s history when someone took the lead and inspired others to believe. They chose to sacrifice and to do the hard work that pulled the country forward.

When we are tempted to doubt the Compassionate One is with us or even exists, we, too, can find inspiration in history: the history of Christianity and Great Faiths of the world. Who would have thought that the Jesus who agonized in the garden and felt abandoned on the cross would rise again? What are the odds that followers of this crucified itinerant preacher and wonderworker would survive persecutions and discrimination and begin a Church of billions of believers?

Who thought a small, devout Hindu could inspire a country and challenge the British Empire winning not with the power of weapons but of non-violence?

The Holy One speaks to all people calling them to compassion, love, and forgiveness. Even in the darkest times, the Creator reveals Loving Presence to the world. Many in Haiti still worship and pray together; they trust in God’s faithfulness. People of good will, some believers, some not, have responded with selflessness and generosity. We are God’s face to the world.

And what of our personal histories? Can we find moments when God was with us in difficult times? When good sprouted out of the darkness of pain? Can we remember times when we chose to trust, to drag one foot in front of the other when that was all we could do, and with time, regained our stride?

Mr. Obama is hoping to eliminate the “trust deficit” He cannot do it alone, just as we could not rise from our crisis of faith by ourselves. Community, whether a political community like a country, or a faith community like parishes, small groups, or even special relationships, offers an indispensable gift: Not everyone loses faith at the same time. Someone “keeps the trust” and shares it with those who have none.

The rebirth of a country’s trust depends on the rebirth of a deeper trust in the hearts of its people. We cannot address a national trust deficit without addressing our own. True conversation between nations or peoples or between party members or pundits cannot take place until Love begins to replace fear in our hearts.