Our Help & Hope Remains

I went to what I consider America’s parish, the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for Mass this morning. The opening hymn was “O God, Our Help in Ages Past.”

It’s worth reflecting on the words today:

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for ears to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

Under the shadow of your throne
Your saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is your arm alone,
And our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
Our earth received its frame,
From everlasting you are God,
To endless years the same.

A thousand ages in your sight
Are like an evening gone,
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Soon bears us all away;
We fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the op’ning day.

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Still be our guard while troubles last,
And our eternal home.

Whatever happens Tuesday, we are on an eternal campaign. Whoever wins the presidential and other elections, that campaign remains. And while our challenges will be greater in one outcome Tuesday — if Catholic and other religious institutions and individuals continue to face the existential threat the Department of Health and Human Services abortion drug, contraception, and sterilization mandate imposes upon them (violate your conscience or face crippling fines) — our God remains the same and prayers should always be more fervent each day, so that we always grow ever closer to him.