Second Sunday In Ordinary time
Baikauskas,
Associate Pastor
~ One of the most frequent comments a preacher hears—usually whispered in the back of the church or sent via a thoughtful email later in the week—is the caution: “Father, that homily was a bit too political.”
It is a concern I take seriously. The pulpit is a sacred space, not a soapbox. It is not a place for partisan rallies, candidate endorsements, or campaign speeches. When we gather for the Eucharist, we gather as one body in Christ, transcending the labels of “Democrat,” “Republican,” or “Independent” that so often divide our nation.
However, recently I have been reflecting on a distinction that is crucial for us to understand as Catholics: the difference between partisanship and politics in its truest, most ancient sense.
The word “political” comes from the Greek word polis, which simply means “city” or “community.” In the classical sense, politics is not about political parties or election cycles; it is the art of living together. It is the conversation about how we order our common life, how we treat our neighbors, and how we care for the most vulnerable among us.
In this sense, the Gospel is inherently and unavoidably political.
We follow a Savior who did not confine his ministry to the private sphere. Jesus preached in the synagogues, but he also healed in the streets. He dined with tax collectors, challenged the religious authorities, and spoke bluntly about the treatment of the poor, the widow, and the stranger. When Jesus speaks of feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, and visiting the prisoner (Matthew 25), he is making statements that have profound implications for our polis—our city.
If the Church were to remain silent on the great moral issues of our time, we would be failing in our mission. We cannot preach the Gospel of Life without addressing the realities that threaten life. We cannot preach the dignity of the human person without pointing out where that dignity is being trampled—whether that is in the womb, at the border, on death row, or on the streets of our cities.
Recently, some have asked why I might reference current events, such as the tragic violence we see in places like Minneapolis or even here in St. Louis, or why I might critique “leadership” or “government” decisions. The answer is not that I wish to sway your vote for a specific party. The Church does not endorse candidates. We do not have a “Catholic” political party.
Rather, the answer is that the Gospel claims authority over all of life, not just our Sunday mornings. When policies or societal structures degrade human dignity, the Gospel compels us to speak. If we speak about the shootings in our streets, it is not to make a partisan point; it is because the blood of our brothers and sisters cries out from the ground, and God is not deaf to that cry.
There is a difference between being partisan (aligning with a specific political faction) and being principled (aligning with the teachings of Christ). The former divides us; the latter challenges us all. The Word of God cuts like a two-edged sword, and if we are listening closely, it should likely make all of us uncomfortable at one point or another, regardless of our political affiliations.
So, let us continue to be sensitive to the danger of partisanship. Let us keep the pulpit free of campaign slogans. But let us never make the mistake of thinking that our faith is private. We are citizens of the City of God, yes, but we are also citizens of the city of man. Our task is to bring the light of the former to heal the wounds of the latter.
