Process Note: Wrapping Up February 2026

This has been a slightly more chaotic February roll-out of Politics with Jonathan than I had hoped to see, but maybe the Holy Spirit will help bring some order to bear on my end-of-the-month process note. Perhaps, whenever I write a process note moving forward, I should see if I can make sure to briefly address my status with respect to five issues, as follows:

1. Monastic Pacifism: My next step is to compose a new entry on this blog that links to the small amount of my previous writing on this topic. Then I want to take a Gemini AI deep dive into Thomas Merton's approach to the question of monastic political pacifism and quietism.
2. Engaged Citizenship: My next step is a careful response to Mortimer Adler's How to Read a Book as a foundation text in this area.
3. Current Events: I am still doing my best to fast from current events for Lent (which is to say until 5 April 2026), but I need to consciously budget about one night a week to reflect on how this fast is going and what I can do to improve it.
4. United Nations Reform on the Way to Multipolar World Federalism: My next step is a check-in on A) the selection process for the 10th UN Secretary-General and B) the UNSC reform process. 
5. Minimalist Christian Zionism for a Balanced Two-State Solution: I am trying not to get sucked in by Tucker Carlson's recent interview with Ambassador Huckabee, but I suppose it could be essential viewing this March. Maybe it would make more sense for me to begin with an inventory of all the relevant books I have on hand, and anything better available through Amazon, before I settle in on a primary text for 2026. I also need to compose a post (or page) with links to my writing on this subject to date. That could take the rest of the year at an hour or two a week.

Okay, let's see how this new format works.

Addendum 2 March 2026

Whenever I write a process note, which should perhaps be monthly, I should consider addressing one additional component:

• Horarium Update: Through the rest of Lent (until 5 April 2026), my plan is to limit my reading, listening and writing in political theology to a "Watch of the Polis" from 6 to 8 PM each day. This includes half an hour from 6 to 6:30 PM doing evening chores (medication, salad, dishes, hygiene, and change into night habit) while listening to a political podcast or briefing.

Thank you, Holy Spirit.

In grace and peace.