I would prefer to not be engaged in politics. However, by virtue of the Democratic party choosing to take sides with a handful of intrinsically evil positions, particularly the intentional killing of innocent human beings made in the image and likeness of God, the infringement of religious liberty and conscience protection, the rejection of God’s creation of male and female, and undermining the primacy of the family and rejecting the nature of mother and father, I no longer had the luxury of staying silent. In returning to the fray, I was dismayed to find so many Catholics who were apparently willing to cooperate with these evils. I assumed it was due to a lack of knowledge of Church teachings, or an ignorance of the moral imperatives our faith required. It quickly became apparent that I was wrong. Many dissenting Catholics I encountered were not open to consider a deeper understanding of their Church. It became clear that they had already rejected the Church, and were now firmly in the grips of a new religion, which can be called humanism, secularism, cultural Marxism, or one of many similar terms to define the movement that combines Godlessness with a man-made utopian vision that could be created by our betters. (The Elites). Their political party is their church and congregation. (I wish Catholics were as zealous in their faith!). There were many Catholics who meant no harm. They sincerely did not know they were cooperating with evil, but they were willing to turn a blind eye to it in favor of other issues. Some were daily communicants, lectors, or Extraordinary Ministers, and were somewhere between taking umbrage and getting angry with me. These were good people, but they had allowed themselves to become partisans first and Catholics second. They were not open to considering the moral teachings of our Church and their proper relative weighting. With these fine people I would blame our “crisis of catechism:” Too many Catholics do not know what our Church teaches and demands. I must be fair and note that there was one fine pro-life Catholic who gave great consideration to what I was offering and engaged me in a very intelligent and respectful dialogue. Ultimately, he chose a reasoned and sincere path of moral relativism, which he arrived at with great consternation. This has been disheartening. We have received a great inheritance that is our Church, the full deposit of the truth. We have received a great inheritance that is our nation, and the moral and religious principles on which it was founded. To see us squander these is a tragedy. We were called to be the light and salt of the earth and to shape the moral character of our society. We were told not to put the light, our inheritance, under a bushel. Instead, we have dug a hole in the ground, tossed our inheritance in, and spit on it as we began to shovel the dirt. Now the Good News: The gates of hell will not prevail! The story has already been written, and spoiler alert, Christ’s Church is victorious! All that needs to be written is what part we each choose to play. Will we contribute a verse? It is said that we, Catholics, are an Easter people. (With all the despair of Good Friday, Sunday’s coming!) Today, as a Catholic, I am a November 4th person! What does that mean? It means we need to be clear and consistent witnesses for the moral and social teachings of our Church. It means I wake up, kiss my wife affectionately and with gratitude. It means I hit my knees, thank God for this new day, and ask that I be open to His will, not mine. It means I glance at the framed Bible verse on my nightstand that reads, “To whomsoever much is given, much is required.” It means that perhaps today I pray the Rosary at an abortion clinic in the freezing rain or respond to a call to help a saved baby, and his or her family, with food, clothing or shelter. Perhaps it means I write a letter to the editor defending the loving and compassionate Church teaching on abortion, or family, or protection of conscience. Perhaps it means helping an elderly neighbor with a task or bringing him or her the Eucharist. Perhaps it means meeting with one or a few of my brothers in faith and offer, or receive, encouragement, counsel, or accountability. Perhaps it means gathering food for a food bank or serving at St. Vincent de Paul or other charitable enterprise. Perhaps it means writing a check to someone that is in need, or to a group that pursues the corporal or spiritual works of mercy. Or perhaps it means going onto social media and trying to bring the wisdom, joy, and truth of our faith to broken and sometimes angry people. Perhaps it means resolving to leave social media and to turn off that darn TV! (This is a necessary step). It may be just taking a walk to ponder and enjoy God’s creation, or defending truth at a cocktail party or barbeque, or offering a patient smile to a harried driver or food shopper. Maybe it means I go to Confession and get my heart and soul cleansed and prepared to forgive and be forgiven. Maybe I will even get to read a Bible story to a grandchild! Would it be great if our nations’ leaders were committed to pursuing the common good (as defined by our Church, not by the latest nouveau pseudo-intellectual)? -Yes. If they did, would that change what it means to be a November 4th person? -No. Would it be great if ALL our bishops, pastors and brother priests had the same resolve? -Yes. If they did, would that change what it means to be a November 4th person? -No.
Take a deep breath, give thanks to God, and be the salt and light. Welcome to the Third Great Awakening!