We come
upon our first weekend under new political leadership. I think it’s important for us to remember a
number of things as we move forward. The
first is from St. Paul’s first letter to Timothy (2:1-3): “First of all,
then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be
offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a
quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our savior,
Who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.” And so, we recognize a duty to pray for those
who are in authority: for peace and tranquility, and for conversion of
heart. This is not just about those at
the top, but legislators, jurists, and all who are in government service.
We also
need to remember that no mere politician is a savior. We have a Savior, Jesus Christ, Whom we can
rightly depend on in all things. Mere
men and women may have policies here and there which line up nicely with this
or that priority; at any particular time we find one side or another lining up
with our most important priorities better than another. I remember, when I was growing up, that the
Catholic Church was jokingly referred to as the Democratic Party at prayer;
over the last 25 or 30 years it’s been the Republican party that lined up with
our most fundamental beliefs about life, liberty, and the nature of the human
person – yet, no party is perfect, and support for those beliefs come with
trade-offs that strike at other beliefs as well as our heartstrings.
In other
words, we can’t depend on politicians to cure what ails us or our society. What we can do is live our lives
according to the principles laid down by God and our Holy Mother, the Church;
and we can teach our children to do the same.
We can do our best to discern between the choices presented us at
election time. Finally, we can, and
must, pray for guidance for ourselves and for all those who have been entrusted
with the common good.
Regardless
of who is at the top of the political pyramid, we are all in the pyramid
together. This is something too many
have forgotten, not only in the realm of politics, but of business and life in
general. So, let us remember these
things, and think on them. Most of all,
let us remember another passage of scripture which should be uppermost in our
minds at all times: [L]ove one another.
As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my
disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Remember
who (and Whose!) you are,
Fr. Klos
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