A (True) Tale of Two Parishioners:
Recently, I received a voicemail from a parishioner (I suppose) who asked if we had a Pro-Life Group, since they hadn’t seen or heard anything about Amendment 3. They had been to another parish and had seen information there, but hadn’t seen anything at St. Margaret, and thought we should be speaking out against this Amendment. This person didn’t leave a name or phone number, but I would have returned the call to let them know that information about Amendment 3 has been in the bulletin, in the back of Church, at the Advocacy table at Coffee & Donuts, in Flocknotes, and on our website.
Recently, I saw a parishioner who I hadn’t seen at Mass recently, which I had noticed since I usually see them and their family each week. After Mass, I greeted them and said I hoped they were OK since I hadn’t seen them in a number of weeks. The parishioner responded that ever since Amendment 3 information had been in the bulletin and in the back of Church, they were overwhelmed and didn’t feel they could be at Mass because of their mixed feelings about the issue. Of course I reassured them they were always welcome at St. Margaret, no matter what.
So, what’s a pastor to do? What are any of us to do during election season, when emotions are high and divisions are evident everywhere? A recent survey found that 69% of Americans are stressed about the election, 62% of Americans are worried about violence after the election, 77% of us are concerned about the future of our nation, and 40% of Americans report election tension in their own family. So, if you are feeling anxious or stressed, you are not alone!
By this Tuesday evening, the election will be over, though we may not learn the results of some races for a few more days. I think it’s important to remember that any election is not the final chapter, but a marker on an ongoing journey. After the election, we will still have debates and differences about candidates and issues like the economy, immigration, abortion, and so many others. St. Paul reminds us that “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we eagerly await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3,20) We do our best in this life, in our world, and in our nation, but let us always remember that our true home is in heaven, and only there will God take away all our divisions, making us one with Christ Jesus.
We all agree that we want peace and unity in our nation in the days and weeks to come, so I invite and encourage you to pray for that intention. This Sunday, November 3, at 7:00pm, there will be a “Prayer for Peace & Unity” for our nation in Church. This simple prayer time of Scripture, song, and sacred silence is not a prayer for any candidate or issue, but simply a prayer for peace and unity in our nation in the days and weeks ahead. Please join us.
Let us pray…
Lord God, as the election approaches, we seek to better understand the issues and concerns that confront our city, state, and country, and how the Gospel compels us to respond as faithful citizens in our community. We ask for eyes that are free from blindness so that we might see each other as brothers and sisters, one and equal in dignity, especially those who are victims of abuse and violence, deceit and poverty. We ask for ears that will hear the cries of children unborn and those abandoned, men and women oppressed because of race or creed, religion or gender. We ask for minds and hearts that are open to hearing the voices of leaders who will bring us closer to your kingdom. We pray for discernment so that we may choose leaders who hear your Word, live your love, and keep in the ways of your truth as they follow the example of Jesus and his Apostles and guide us into your kingdom of justice and peace. We ask all this in the name of Jesus, your Son!