Dear Parishioners,
As I write this, it’s early morning after Election Day. A record number of Americans made their political voice heard by going to the voting booths. Their doing so directs the course of our government at all levels for at least the next several years. At the national level, there will be some change in Congressional membership and with that the possibility of change in laws and policy. It’s good to see the electronic voting process has become timelier in providing results. It’s also very good to see the peaceful transfer of political power at every level of government throughout our nation. There are many reasons to be grateful and give thanks, even if you are unhappy with how the American people voted.
Many people have told me of how they wish Jesus was one of the choices for president. That would be very interesting! The hope is that Jesus would set us on the correct path and lead our nation to where it needs to go. We want to say everything would be better with Jesus as president, but as we think more about this, we realize that many would follow His leadership. Jesus already entered the world as the leader of every nation. He is the Messiah. The message we would hear from the White House would be the same He gave in Samaria and Galilee. The message we would hear is what we find in our Bibles. It’s what we hear when we come to church each week.
The civil landscape did not change overnight when Jesus entered the darkness (literally) of our world. Everything wasn’t somehow different in the morning with His physical presence in a village or even someone’s house. Jesus spoke directly to the hearts, minds, and souls of people. He let us know of His great love for us, and the mercy He offered to every person. Today He continues to call us to Himself, to not just a simple encounter of hearts, minds, and souls, but a union of His with ours. This is partially what Jesus meant in saying the Kingdom of God is near to all who come to Him. This invitation is astounding! Sadly, however, there were many who rejected Jesus as He stood in their midst. The same continues to today.
Let’s bring this insight to our political landscape and our nation which is divided on many critical issues. Politics and government programs by themselves are not going to solve the problems of our society. Changing the direction of any democratic nation requires changing the soul of the nation, which is the minds and hearts of its citizens. That is where we now need to refocus our energy and resources.
It might seem overwhelming, but Christians have almost always been the underdog on the world scene. God’s grace and His commandments enable us to provide a Godly example. Jesus tells us that our prayer and penance can break through people’s hardness of heart. So, we do have hope, regardless of who is elected. Christ gave us the path forward. It is effective, but includes prayer, fasting, and carrying the cross.
With trust in Him,
Fr. Miller