Today, we wake up in a nation both celebrating and mourning. Last night’s election results are fresh, and many are processing deep emotions—some filled with excitement and hope, while others feel loss and disappointment. This split, which runs so deep across our communities and even within families, reminds us of just how challenging it is to envision a unified path forward.

But whether our candidate won or lost, our responsibility to each other has not changed. An election outcome may shape policies and priorities, but it does not change the fundamental work of loving our neighbors, seeking justice, and building bridges across the divides that seem so vast.

In a country where it feels like every headline deepens a sense of “us versus them,” perhaps today can be a time to choose something different. Instead of shying away from difficult conversations, we can lean into them with open minds and hearts. Instead of seeing one another as opposing forces, we can recognize the shared humanity that binds us.

Listening, especially to those who see the world differently, is a powerful act of love. It’s not easy, but it’s essential if we are to make our democracy work. Taking the time to listen—really listen—means opening ourselves to understanding each other’s fears, dreams, and experiences. It doesn’t mean abandoning our own convictions, but it does mean seeing value in the person across from us.

As people of faith, of community, and of conscience, our task goes beyond political cycles. Our commitment is to love beyond boundaries, to act justly, and to make our country a place where all feel a sense of belonging and dignity. This vision is not an easy one, but it’s a sacred one, and every step we take toward it brings us closer to the nation we hope to become.

Today, may we find small ways to unite—checking in on friends, engaging in honest dialogue, or even simply offering a kind word to someone who may feel differently. These small acts of connection and understanding are the foundation of a more compassionate and just world.

So, whether today feels like victory or defeat, let us carry forward with grace, hand in hand, committed to a future that embraces all. We have the power to create it—together.