Reflections on the Election - A Catholic Response

The election is over, and the people have spoken. Donald J. Trump will be the 47th President of the United States of America. Some say it is the greatest political comeback in the history of this country. Despite being impeached, prosecuted, and even shot, he won both the electoral and popular vote handily. He won the Catholic vote by almost fifteen points. For the last four years Catholics have faced unprecedented challenges to our religious freedom and basic moral principles. A Harris presidency was sure to continue that trend. With the election of Donald Trump, we have been given a gift—a reprieve of sorts, one that we must not take for granted.

Last Sunday after Mass, as I stood chatting with some friends, one asked if I was ready for Wednesday, which I thought was an odd question. She followed with, “Kamala is going to win; are you ready for that?” Coming from her, I was shocked because initially I took her statement as one of hopelessness and defeat. “You really think that?” I questioned. She stood resolute and said, “Be happy that we are living in this time where we can face more persecution. Trump is not our savior, Jesus is.” As she pointed to the crucifix hanging in the sanctuary, she said, “We need to have joy.” She was not hopeless; rather, she was full of hope in Jesus, and she was ready to suffer any trials that may come as a result of the election. She wanted to impart that wisdom to me—that no matter the outcome, Jesus has already won the ultimate race for us, and no politician or political decision can take that away.
That day and Monday, her words were seared in my mind. On one hand, I had been greatly desiring and fervently praying for a fair election that would go in our favor, but on the other hand, I was beginning to realize that I had put a lot of hope into the outcome of the election and not enough hope in God. As Providence would have it, our parish is holding a 40 Hours devotion this week— 40 hours of continuous exposition and adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. On Monday night, I visited Jesus for an hour. As I prayed for the election and over the words of my friend, the Holy Spirit poured this prayer into my heart:

Lord, peace on this earth only comes through surrender, so teach me how to surrender to You. Teach me not to fear or be dismayed when evil seems to lurk all around or when suffering comes my way. Help me to shed whatever it is that I cling to, thinking that it will save me, when You are the only One who can save me. Lord, save us from all evil and bring us to victory, but not my will but Yours be done. And when Your will is done, help me remember it is Your will, that all things on earth are under Your purview, that nothing is happening without Your consent, and that You work all things for the good of those You love. Grant us peace, oh Lord, that we may stay focused on You and doing Your holy will, never fearing the chaos around us, but always taking the next step toward holiness, because in the end union with You is all that matters. Immaculate Mary, intercede for us that we may be delivered from evil, but if it’s God will that we face evil, protect us from falling into temptation to despair, bitterness, or despondency. Free us, Lord, from any expectations of outcomes and any fear of the future. Keep us open to the movements of Your Spirit and aware of Your presence both within and around us. Heighten our senses to Your goodness and all the ways You are working in our lives. Be near to us and keep us from faltering. Help us to always remember our destination is Heaven and we don’t belong here. Praise You Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

On Election Day, I felt a profound sense of peace all day. I had tried as best I could to align my heart and my will with God’s. The outcome was up to Him. And while I still prayed and hoped for a Trump victory, as I watched the election results unfold, I was dumbfounded. I had a deep sense of gratitude and simultaneously a deep sense of responsibility. I had asked for and God had delivered our country from a Kamala Harris presidency. Why He gave us this chance, I do not know, but we cannot act as if all is now right with the world, because it is most definitely not. Our country needs deep healing and prayer. So many people are lost, confused, and broken. Now more than ever, we need to love our neighbor and show this country who Jesus is through our words and deeds. And most of all, we need to remember that all things are passing. We do not live for the here and now. We live for eternity, no matter who holds the Office of the President.