Our Christian Duty

Elections are upon us. I don’t know about you, but to me, it feels as if I’ve been holding my breath … waiting for the end of the current administration. Our nation has disintegrated into a state of chaos, immorality and divisiveness thanks to our local, state and national leaders. But who put them there?

Mark Twain wisely said, “It will be conceded that a Christian’s first duty is to God. It then follows, as a matter of course, that it is his duty to carry his Christian code of morals to the polls and vote them … If Christians would vote their duty to God at the polls, they would carry every election, and do it with ease … If the Christians of America could be persuaded to vote God and a clean ticket, it would bring about a moral revolution that would be incalculably beneficent. It would save the country.”

I don’t know how many times I’ve heard, “It’s so hard to decide how to vote.” Mr. Twain took the muck from the water and made it crystal clear. And, what about those who say, “I don’t think I’ll vote this time, it doesn’t seem to matter.” I think that is the most dangerous stance a citizen can take … personally and spiritually.

Living the Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics34 National Conference of Catholic Bishops, November 1998 states:

“We encourage all citizens, particularly Catholics, to embrace their citizenship not merely as a duty and privilege, but as an opportunity meaningfully to participate in building the culture of life. Every voice matters in the public forum. Every vote counts. Every act of responsible citizenship is an exercise of significant individual power. We must exercise that power in ways that defend human life, especially those of God's children who are unborn, disabled or otherwise vulnerable. We get the public officials we deserve. Their virtue–or lack thereof–is a judgment not only on them but on us. Because of this, we urge our fellow citizens to see beyond party politics, to analyze campaign rhetoric critically and to choose their political leaders according to principle, not party affiliation or mere self-interest.”

Our country’s downfall is not irreversible but unless we take the right action, it will continue to plummet.