Election Day

All too often, I am dismayed by how politicized and polarized our culture has become. Too many Christians have fallen into this trap. The Left shouts, the Right shouts back. Does anyone listen? The discussion, it seems, is rarely respectful, substantial, or thought-provoking. Personality prevails. Winning is the only thing that matters.

I try to summon the virtue of patience by recalling that up until about 10 years ago, I was a Grade A Political Junkie and Newshound. So for much of my life, I have been just as much a part of the problem as anyone else. Now, I loathe what I myself used to love (or thought I loved). So, allowance must be made for the path others are on.

Still, I cannot help but think: Our Savior is Jesus Christ. He is not a Democrat. He is not a Republican. He is not a member of the Tea Party. He is the Son of God, who calls all people to himself through the Cross on which he was nailed for the sins of all. He is Love Himself. If we truly cast our "vote" in his direction, we shall be saved, and will be directed along the right path -- no matter what happens or who emerges victorious in any earthly election.

Perhaps providence whispers a reminder through the Gospel reading on this 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time (Mark 12:28b-34), which just so happens to fall two days before the election:

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,
"Which is the first of all the commandments?"

 

Jesus replied, "The first is this:

 

Hear, O Israel!
The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.

The second is this:

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

 

There is no other commandment greater than these."

 

The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher.
You are right in saying,
'He is One and there is no other than he.'
And 'to love him with all your heart,
with all your understanding,
with all your strength,
and to love your neighbor as yourself'
is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

 

And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,
he said to him,

 

"You are not far from the kingdom of God."

 

And no one dared to ask him any more questions.