From the Desk of Deacon Jim

I wanted to write one last column on the current political situation prior to returning to our discussion of St Paul’s letters.

I have been listening to some of the post election coverage and I am amazed with what I am hearing.  One of the refrains that I keep hearing is that this is a real set-back for the Pro-Life movement.  That will remain to be seen, however it is a setback only insofar as we allow it to be a setback.  No matter what others may do in terms of policy, legislation, or judicial appointments we must be vigilant and consistent in our support for life in all its stages from conception to natural death.  We must continue to peacefully make our voices heard.

If you read last week’s column you saw where I told you that in praying about the election outcome I felt the Holy Spirit had pointed me to a particular passage of scripture.  Well I have continued to pray and once again I was lead to a particular passage in scripture.  This time it was the Gospel according to Luke 22:31-38.

“Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers.”  He said to him, “Lord, I am prepared to go to prison and to die with you.” But he replied, “I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows this day; you will deny three times that you know me.”

He said to them, “When I sent you forth without a money bag or a sack or sandals, were you in need of anything?” “No, nothing,” they replied.

He said to them, * “But now one who has a money bag should take it, and likewise a sack, and one who does not have a sword should sell his cloak and buy one.  For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, namely, ‘He was counted among the wicked’; and indeed what is written about me is coming to fulfillment.” Then they said, “Lord, look, there are two swords here.” But he replied, “It is enough!”Then going out he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.”

A commentary on this passage stated that Jesus is warning his followers of the opposition they would face in a world that is hostile to their teaching.  The commentary goes on to say that when Jesus sharply ends the discussion on having a sword, he is actually cutting off the discussion because his disciples were taking literally his figurative language about being prepared to face future opposition.

So in reality what has changed?  The answer is not much really.  Perhaps those of us who felt strongly about the Pro-Life agenda feel that we somehow lost.  The real answer is that nothing has really changed.  We still have to live our faith with courage and conviction.  We still have to form our conscience.  We still have to pray.  We still have to be aware that Satan still wants to sift us like wheat.  We still have to know that the forces of secularism and relativism in this world are going to resist the message of Christ. 

So maybe what we have to do is remember the words of that old hymn, Onward Christian Soldier.  We are marching as to war but we are armed with something more powerful than swords.  We are armed with the truth as proclaimed in the Sacred Scriptures and taught to us by the Magisterium of the Church.  We are strengthened by the graces available to us through the sacraments. Just as the disciples followed Jesus out to the Mount of Olives, we follow the cross of Christ.  Just as the Apostles, strengthened by the Holy Spirit persevered to build the Church that exists today, we who received this same Holy Spirit at our baptism and confirmation, have been commissioned to continue that work of building the kingdom no matter the opposition.

“Do not be discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15

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People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed – Dr Samuel Johnson

While this election was in many ways historic, it also, in my opinion, generated more heat, and probably less light than any in many years. 

Back before the election as part of my morning devotions, I sat down to read a few lines of scripture.  Remember the “two minute drill?”  You read two lines of scripture and pray for at least two minutes either in the morning or in the evening.  Well I was going to practice what I preached.

I was praying about the election and just randomly opened a bible that is in my office.  It opened to Ecclesiastes chapter 11.  It’s a short chapter and I invite each of you to read it.  The following are verses 1-6.

 *Cast your bread upon the waters;   after a long time you may find it again.  Make seven or eight portions;   you know not what misfortune may come upon the earth. When the clouds are full,   they pour out rain upon the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north,   wherever it falls, there shall it lie. One who pays heed to the wind will not sow,   and one who watches the clouds will never reap. Just as you know not how the breath of life fashions the human frame in the mother’s womb, so you know not the work of God which he is accomplishing in the universe.  In the morning sow  your seed,  and at evening let not your hand be idle: For you know not which of the two will be successful,   or whether both alike will turn out well.

This was a great reminder that sometimes when we are open to listening the Holy Spirit has a funny way of speaking to us.  I felt it was meant for me to share with all of you.   In my anxiety it reminded me that no matter who won the election ultimately God is still in charge.  We as Catholics and as Christians are to still be about the work of building up the kingdom here on earth.

By way of study I would encourage you to also read Matthew Chapter 6 and Luke  Chapter 12. There is a excerpt following.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat (or drink), or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father

feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? ……….

So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, * and all these things will be given you besides.

Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.

So no matter whether we agree with the outcome of this election or not our job is to continue on living our Christian Catholic vocation according to our conscience and the scriptures as illuminated by the teaching of our Church.  We do not cease being Christian.  We do not cease loving our brothers and sisters.  We may not agree or like them very much but we continue to display Christian love toward all.  We also should take a moment to pray for our country, no matter who won. Then go back to work building the kingdom.   We can’t let our hands be idle.

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