Tuesday is Election Day. The candidates for the Presidency and other Congressional seats both local and federal have bombarded us with ads, debates, and policies. I cannot think of another election year that has been so contentious and at times rancorous. The division and discord in our country is palpable. Honestly, it is exhausting. I am so glad it will be over soon.
As Catholics, how are we to vote? The Church never endorses one person or party over another because there is not one candidate or party that embodies all of Catholic Political Thought or Catholic Social Teaching. Catholic anthropology, our understanding of the human person and society transcend politics and policy. Certain things are directly contrary to our Catholic faith and we cannot compromise on them: abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, the freedom to exercise and live our faith, trampling the God given rights of others, and more.
We will all cast our ballot doing our civic duty. When we do, do not leave your faith outside of the booth. November 1st is the Solemnity of All Saints. We celebrate our brothers and sisters who are in heaven. These men and women lived lives in which the faith, what they believed, permeated every aspect of their heart and soul. The faith was never compromised or put on a shelf or ignored because it was inconvenient. No, they brought what they believed into everything they did: walking down the street, driving the car, encountering a waiter, feeding the poor, discussing society, voting, etc….
To be holy, to be Saints, we must follow in their footsteps. Our faith should go wherever we go. We cannot compartmentalize our faith or leave it at home or forget it when we go into the voting booth. Pray that the Holy Spirit guides you and gives you wisdom and prudence as you make your decision. Then, we pray for whoever is elected and all citizens of our great country! Pray for peace and good will. Almighty God will make us holy when we bring our faith everywhere. Let’s work with Him as he sanctifies us.
Let us pray for each other.
May the Lord bless you and your families abundantly this week!
~ Fr. Daniel F. Firmin