A reflection on the election results
Those who did their civic duty and voted in the recent election have expressed their will as to who they will vest with the authority to govern our nation.
As citizens, whether we got what we asked for, or have to take what was given, our civic duty also calls us to participate in government by doing things like paying taxes, advocating for justice, being peacemakers, and making elected officials accountable to do what is right, true, and good, or risk being voted out of office.
As Catholics, we have certain idea about what is right, true, and good: helping to protect all human life, from conception to natural death, especially those who are most vulnerable; helping to provide things needed to live in human dignity, such as productive work and fair wages, food and shelter, education and health care, protection from harm, and the right to emigrate when these are unavailable in one’s homeland; and caring for Earth, our common home.
And we are not only commended to care for others and creation, but we also commend ourselves to God’s care, begging Divine Assistance for the nation, elected officials, and ourselves. The following is an excerpt from a prayer penned by Archbishop John Carroll, the first American bishop:
“We pray to you, O God of might, wisdom and justice, through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted and judgment decreed: Assist with your Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude the President of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to your people over whom he presides: by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of your divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.”
May God have mercy on us, and help the President, Congress, and all of us in our need.
