IS IT? REALLY?

   In a recent conversation one participant used the phrase “Better late than never”. Heads all shook in agreement. Certainly, if one wanted something, one needed something, even if the timing was off, surely it was better later than never. But think about it. Perhaps that later is actually simply an extension of the never. Without proper timing, without proper understanding or recognition of the need and immediacy critical, is what we get late actually better, than never having received it at all? Surely the answer to that would be a mix. 

 There are those things or ideas which come late to the party but are welcome no matter the delay. The themes of freedom and equality, of independence, are examples of such. As are the miracles of perhaps winning a prize, or a delayed letter offering employment. Even when running late, the lights are all in your favor. These are the things that light up a life, in big ways and small. Yes, better late than never.

On the other hand, particularly when we are in need of that something, with timing critical, the bitterness of late, too late, arrival can be overwhelming. That is when those awaiting fulfillment of the need indulge in the futile act of immersion in the pool of despair and anger, as with desperation and fuming anger, they hurry to heap blame on shoulders of someone, anyone, but certainly not theirs. In actuality, it matters not at all, for the results are as they are and the only way to continue is to move forward, possibly change the dynamics for another.   In such cases, perhaps we can apply the better late than never thought. 

Can we apply the maxim of the title to the realities of today? A brief summary of the topics of today's newspapers and broadcasts. Trump/Epstein - so gross, yet so not surprising nor unexpected.  The harm inducing actions of Meta and similar giant enterprises. The immediacy of the need of an organ leading to a haste of declaring death when it is not so. Inspector Generals warned against doing their job properly lest they get fired.  A head of a department advised to follow the directives given to her, to lay low, put her head down, and simply follow orders and never mind the immorality, perhaps even the criminality of those orders. The tragic consequences of reversing policy on environment and ecology, as preventive measures against floods, fires, even human brutality are erased. As all too many have left only the memories of what once was. But is no more. The rotten cherry on top - the absolute dismantling of the governmental departments whose responsibility was to ensure the safety of the citizens of America. As the FDA is ripped asunder in the throes of the insanity of RFK Jr, as his father and uncle writhe in shame and anger in their graves.

Two more issues challenging that better late than never. The never seems to be stronger than ever, the better lost in a murky past. Or so far ahead, if even possible, in a future defying vision of such a time.  Can we save, resurrect this once blessed country of ours, America. Or have we lost that battle already? Has a demented man at the head of the country already gained enough power, enough toadies, conquered and coopted the legislative and judicial branches of government so as to actually destroy democracy and install autocracy as our government?  I am growing more and more fearful that such is the case.

Finally, now the highly visible and restrengthened ugly gnashing teeth, sharpened talons, the insatiable lust and thirst for blood of the ravening beast of anti Semitism, of rabid JewHatred. Back again in the open. Now almost, not very far from - or perhaps already there - a return of the pogroms, lynchings, burning and slaughter of Jews. Of denial of humanity. A vicious sidelining and condemnation.   

Far more than a supposedly 'righteous' demand that the nation of Israel be terminated, with no possibility of return. It is a fever. A contamination of the soul leading to extermination. After an increasingly stronger than ever campaign of dehumanization and sidelining of all that is Jewish. Until the end point is reached. 

In the crazed minds of these haters, the better late than never works just fine. After almost three millennia of attempt, their goal is in sight. However, we have a strong faith, a trust in the promises made by Our Lord to us, to our ancestors and into the future as needed. History has endorsed and proven our resilience. Every enemy over the centuries has met with disaster. And here we are. Always. Equally as always, remains the question. We ask, as we look up to the Heavens above - why must this journey to the 'Better' time be so hard, so harsh, so testing. Have we not yet qualified to reach the time of the better. Is it not the time to rip the 'never' away? No more of times rife with woes and bloodshed.   

No answer from above or perhaps one we refuse to hear. A no, not yet. But even in the worst of times, we continue to believe in a better late than never time of goodness, of justice, a world where all are welcome. Rather than the shaking of swords we will have the shaking of hands in friendship and peace. 

But when, dear Lord, when?  

Is there a better late than never in these situations? I guess so. Even as it is so late in arrival.

A gloomy day in our world today. Unable, frankly, to be distinguished by much from the other gloomy days we are living. Will we have a better late than never return to sanity and righteousness? To the dreams and hopes of America. To the world, finally, of no denial of rights. A world of justice. Of dreams, of hope. 

  Yesterday, today and tomorrow. 

When will we see the better?