Election Results And Our Call to Holiness. By: C.C

                                              

"The recent election in our country has favored a government whose policies include oppressive laws inimical to basic Catholic and even basic Christian values, as a large number of Bishops and Protestant spokesmen have expressly stated. A prominent archbishop has announced publicly that to vote for candidates who favor legalizing abortion and homosexual marriage is gravely sinful. The recent election has shown us that the society that had once provided conditions that allowed for fidelity to those values essential for the unhindered practice of the Christian faith has become instead a threat to our fundamental values. Similar and even harsher reactions of governments throughout the centuries have frequently tested the fidelity and courage of the Church. God in his Providence has made use of such oppression to purify his people and lead them to greater holiness through resisting such opposition. Our Lord, Jesus, the good shepherd, has always responded to such threats to his own chosen ones by making his loving concern for each one his own concern." (Abbot John Eudes Bamberger)

The nation doesn’t simply need what we have. It needs what we are." (St. Teresia Benedicta)
  
   Recently, my prayers and thoughts have been with my brothers and sisters in the United States. The presidential election has come and gone and threats to our core Catholic and Christian values continue to surround us. At this time, more than ever, it is evident that we are experiencing a battle that is beyond human leadership and paper ballots; this is truly a     battle between holiness and sin. Abbot John Eudes Bamberger's reflection on this recent election provides us with hope and shares a very important truth that is extremely helpful for all Christians " Governments throughout the centuries have frequently tested the fidelity and courage of the Church. God in His Providence has made use of such oppression to purify His people and lead them to greater holiness through resisting such opposition."  These threats to our Catholic Church and values calls for every single one of Her faithful to stand united in prayer and practice. 
     Beyond protestations and our righteous rage we must remain true in our hearts and souls to our faith and remember that no external force can rid us of our fire for The Lord and our faith.  Through this very public opposition to the Church each of us are faced with a question of morality and ethics. All of us are faced with an opportunity and call to further holiness by living our faith in a way that demands more of those around us. Together we must continue to assemble in our Parish communities, in our workplaces, in our prayer groups, and the silence of our rooms with full faith that our Lord will provide for His children and that His will, will be done.
     Through this political tribulation we bear a Cross upon our shoulders that Christ indeed carries with us. We have amidst this great trial an even greater chance to become His true deciples by remaining faithful and not allowing the sin of others to sway us away from our values. We must continue to pray that The Lord has mercy upon those who remain in darkness. Above all, we must continue to pray for our political leaders and pray that their hearts may be opened to The Lord and what is truly just. May we each strive for holiness within our own lives and share the light of Christ with those around us. It is through being obedient to God and true to our faith that we can aid greatly in this battle against sin. May we forgive those who persecute us and ask our Lord to also forgive them "for they know not what they do" ( Luke 23:34).  We ask for the intercession of our Holy Mother, Queen of peace to provide us with comfort and courage. Do not lose heart and remember the words of St. Teresia of Benedicta, our nation desperately needs who we are.....I would like to add that our nation desperately needs who we are in Christ. Amen (C.C.)