Don't Forget to Vote!

Readings for Tuesday November 4, 2008

Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, bishop

First Reading:  Philippians 2:5-11

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 22

Gospel:  Luke 14:15-24

Brothers and Sisters, we have come to an important point in America.  Today is the day that we each go out and cast our ballot for our political leaders.  No doubt all of you have been showered with political adds and propaganda, and in the midst of all the mudslinging it can be very overwhelming and a bit of an information overload.  It is during this time that we must thank God for giving us guidance through the church.  If you have not had a chance to check it out, I strongly recommend that you take a look at the statements issued by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops [http://www.faithfulcitizenship.org].  The documents found here talks about our responsibility as citizens, and our responsibility to have a well formed conscious before casting our vote or making out decisions.  

While no matter what happens in the election or any other, we must always look to God's will, and trust in His plan for us.  We may not understand at the time, but I am sure that we can all agree that God's plan in perfect, and throughout it all we must surrender to Him and put all of our trust in Him.  Our God is a loving and merciful God, today's readings speak loudly of His love and mercy for us.  Let us seek the kingdom first, and from there everything else will fall into place.  I pray that we can have the strength to follow Him until the end, and one day hear the words "Well done, good and faithful servant."  

May God bless you and the rest of your day ... and don't forget to vote!

An election prayer to Mary (Men of the Sacred Hearts):  

O Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, at this most crucial time, we entrust the United States of America to your loving care.  

Most Holy Mother, we beg you to reclaim this land for the glory of your Son.  Overwhelmed with the burden of the sins of our nation, we cry to you from the depths of our hearts and seek refuge in your motherly protection.  

Look down with mercy upon us and touch the hearts of our people.  Open our minds to the great worth of human life and to the responsibilities that accompany human freedom.  

Free us from the falsehoods that lead to the evil of abortion and threaten the sanctity of family life.  Grant our country the wisdom to proclaim that God's law is the foundation on which this nation was founded, and that He alone is the True Source of our cherished rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  

O Merciful Mother, give us the courage to reject the culture of death and the strength to build a new Culture of Life.  Amen.