September 22, 2024
As I am writing this article it is 49 days until November 5 – Election Day. By the time you read this, however, it will probably be more like 45 or 44 days. Either way, time is growing short until what many have proclaimed to be the most decisive election EVER. Of course, they have said that about every presidential election for the past thirty years or so. Many are nervous, if not downright anxious, over a decision that will in many ways big and small affect all of us. I am far from unaffected by this generalized anxiety. I am ready for it to be over with. For too long we have been told to choose the lesser of two evils. I cannot help but worry that this is causing a systemic crisis of choosing evil. The enemy of all that is good, the evil one, is at work in our world. As Saint Peter tells us: “Stay sober and alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith.” (1 Peter 5:8-9a) In these times of difficulty we may take solace in prayer, the knowledge that our good and loving God knows better than any of us just what we need to remain steadfast in faith. We are challenged to hold tightly to our God and remember that our true home is not of this earth. Let us pray together the following prayer provided by the United States Catholic Bishops:
Lord God, as the election approaches, we seek to better understand the issues and concerns that confront our country, and how the Gospel compels us to respond as faithful citizens in our community. We ask for eyes that are free from blindness so that we might see each other as brothers and sisters, one and equal in dignity, especially those who are victims of abuse and violence, deceit and poverty. We ask for ears that will hear the cries of children unborn and those abandoned, men and women oppressed because of race or creed, religion or gender. We ask for minds and hearts that are open to hearing the voice of leaders who will bring us closer to your Kingdom.
We pray for discernment so that we may choose leaders who hear your Word, live your love, and keep in the ways of your truth as they follow in the steps of Jesus and his Apostles and guide us to your Kingdom of justice and peace.
We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
In as much as you are able, I also strongly encourage you to fast, pray, and give alms during these remaining 40 days. Forty is an especially biblical number that reminds us of transitional periods, especially transitions from slavery into freedom. God is with us, always with us, and we can take great comfort in reminding one another that Jesus will not abandon His people. When Jonah walked through the great city of Ninevah he brought the love of God in the form of a healthy fear of the Divine. All the people, young and old, fasted and prayed. Even the livestock went without food or water. May the Lord our God see in our simple acts of fasting, prayers, and almsgiving the same heart repentant and receptive to Divine Mercy.
Two Parishes, One Heart,
Fr. Adam