This has been a long, difficult election season. As you head to the polls today, you will probably feel like you’re in a quandary as a Catholic: that neither presidential candidate is the best choice. Yet we must vote, and therefore, must eventually choose. Today’s the day. I encourage you to bring with you into the voting booth all the teachings and wisdom of the Church, your knowledge of issues and the candidates, and most importantly, the Holy Spirit to guide you.
If you haven’t already, please check out Busted Halo’s “Voting Catholic” video based on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ teaching document, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.” And if you’re still struggling with the question of whether or not you should even vote, please read this article on Busted Halo about the spiritual reasons why we can’t sit this election out.
No matter today’s outcome, half the country will be dissatisfied or even angry. There will be great rifts to heal. We might want to throw up our hands and turn away from the responsibility of reconciling with one another, but we would be turning away from the important work of coming together as a community to work for the common good, to seek a future that is bright and full of hope. Jesus implores us to love our neighbor, and we will have that important work to do.
Pope Francis said recently, “Sometimes we hear: a good Catholic is not interested in politics. This is not true: good Catholics immerse themselves in politics by offering the best of themselves so that the leader can govern.”
Today, I invite you to join me in prayer. Pray for all of the people on the ballot today. Pray that the people who we chose to serve will serve the common good. Pray for healing where there is division and disagreement. And as we look forward to the days ahead, may we offer the best of ourselves to our leaders and to each other, in order to build a nation that loves and cares for one another.
