During Mass on Sunday, Oct. 18, Saint Matthew’s Gospel, Chapter 22, verses 15-21 was proclaimed. It is a story about the Pharisees trying to trap Jesus with a question about His interpretation of the Law. The very pointed question they direct to Jesus is: “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” If He responded in the affirmative, the religious leaders could accuse Him of aligning Himself with their enemy, the Romans. If He responded in the negative, the Roman authorities could accuse Him of subversive activity against the government. The Lord replies with a much quoted verse, a brilliant response to the trap: “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”
Unfortunately, too many have interpreted this verse of Scripture to mean that politics (Caesar) is to be kept separated from religion (God) or, that religion (God) is to be kept separated from politics (Caesar). The two must be kept apart. Never the twain shall meet.
This mistaken sort of thinking concludes that the Church has no right to address political issues; the business of the church has nothing to do with the business of politics. This is a myopic understanding about the mission of the Church in the world.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (Numbers 1913-1915) teaches: “Everyone is called to participate in public life and contribute to the common good.” It is our responsibility to bring our faith into public life which is not an intrusion into the political process. Public policies are a concern for Catholics which explains why our Church offers guidance to the consciences of the faithful.
Since 2007, every four years, the Catholic Bishops of the United States have issued a document, FORMING CONSCIENCES for FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP, which identifies public issues and policies that are a concern to Catholics; issues such as: abortion, the sanctity of human life, health care, peace, poverty, immigration, the death penalty and others. To these public issues the teachings of our Church, of our faith, are applied.
As Election Day nears and you prepare to head to the polls, or if you are voting by mail-in-ballot, our Church offers you a moral framework as a guide. Not only do we need to be informed and responsible participants in the political process but, also, we need to bring our Christian values into the public square. We have both a RIGHT and a DUTY to be there. It is not that our Church is politicking for a particular candidate. Rather, as a people of faith, we approach the election of our leaders by applying the teachings of our Catholic faith to the many issues that they may deal with when they assume public office.
Our Church asks that we Catholics have a conscience formed by Church teachings, the Gospel and Catholic social principles. In the document FORMING CONSCIENCES for FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP there are some very valuable and very practical helps on how to do that. Here you will find a summary of the document: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/.
We are privileged in the United States to be able to freely elect our leaders. May we do so with well-formed consciences and with the guidance our church offers in the document, FORMING CONSCIENCES for FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP. May I suggest in these days prior to the election that we pray the following prayer which is taken from CATHOLIC HOUSEHOLD BLESSINGS AND PRAYERS:
Lord God, as the election approaches, we seek to better understand the issues and concerns that confront our 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 the 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 voice 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 in the steps of Jesus and his apostles and guide us to your kingdom of justice and peace.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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