The political season is in full swing now even though rallies have been put on hold until the Lenten season is over.    This is what I find almost comical.   

The fact that politicians who have made it their business to take part in unchristian slanderous attacks and vilification against each other, would remember to keep holy an entire forty days.

One can only wonder what the country will have to consume when these self-imposed days of silence come to an end after Easter.    What will be resurrected along with the risen Lord in the next few weeks?

It is not difficult to imagine what a barrage it will be on our senses when the leaders of the two major political parties face off for the last leg of the campaign trail before the general elections take place.    If the behaviour and reactions of supporters who attend political rallies is any indication, then I think we are in for a long emotional roller coaster ride.

I had occasion recently to attend a political rally.    It has been many years since I attended one and I stood among of the sea of overzealous individuals soaking in their every move.    People reacted to music, witty rhetoric, and all around diatribe against the opposing party.   

As I watched their behaviour I couldn’t help but wonder if they were even listening to what was being said.    Music was cleverly interjected at appropriate places in the speeches to give maximum effect.    As if on cue, the exuberant supporters would lift pompoms and placards into the air and chant their favourite party slogans.

It is quite a spectacle to see thousands of people who would not ordinarily even mix or socialize with the person standing next to him or her, pat that stranger on the shoulder and repeat a portion of the speaker’s witty remark.    These two strangers may even embrace if they were particularly moved by the rhetoric that flowed from the lips of the seasoned orator.    What brotherly love.

After taking all of this in, my mind went back to a piece of a conversation I overheard on the plane earlier that day when a young man was telling a young woman that he enjoys going to rallies…”they’re fun; it’s like a party.”

If this gentleman was looking for a party then he would not have been disappointed.    Both major political groups have big name entertainers headlining at these rallies.    It really is a political “party” when you attend these rallies, with a few thoughts thrown out to the hungry supporters to chew on until the music stops and the lights fade out.

So what will happen now in these next few weeks when there are no parties for these enthusiastic supporters to attend?    What sounds will they listen for or what catchy phrases will they repeat among themselves?   

I will suggest that we all take the opportunity to enjoy these next few weeks of silence.    Perhaps during this period of stillness and quiet we may be able to hear our own thoughts and finally begin to make sense of all the rhetoric.

The fast pace of the rallies, one speaker right after the next, is quite intentional.    They don’t want you to think.    Their intention is to lift you up on an emotional high and be long gone when you finally fall on your backside.

Therefore I challenge you to reclaim your peace and solitude this week and for the next few weeks.    Reclaim your quiet space and bring calm back into your life.    Do not allow yourself to get caught up in the party train that has no real destination, because not every party has to happen in your backyard.