30th Sunday of Year A (Gospel: Matthew 22:34-40) What it means to be a Catholic

 

As you know at this time, our country is heading toward what could be a dramatic turning point in our history. What happens in this election will determine what direction the country takes. Between the virus and all the upheaval, it has been and continues to be a very stressful time for everyone.

As Catholics, we try and live by the Commandments of God, which supersede all civil laws, which are man-made and not always just. We try and live those commandments in following God. To ignore them, or to go against them and call yourself a Catholic is a contradiction. In today’s Gospel, Jesus says the most important commandment is to love God with all your heart, mind and soul. That means living what He commands us to do.

As a priest, it is my job to pass on the Church’s teachings, which are the Lord’s teachings. If I didn’t believe it was the Lord’s teaching, I wouldn’t be a priest. St. Paul says, ‘Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel’ (1 Cor 9:16). I have a moral responsibility to faithfully pass on this teaching, which is not always an easy thing to do. You may agree with it or not, but it is my responsibility to pass it on to you.

In one of the main documents of the Second Vatican Council, called Gaudium et Spes (Hope and Joy), the bishops wrote:

"At all times and in all places, the Church should have the true freedom to teach the faith, to proclaim its teaching about society, to carry out its task among men without hindrance and to pass moral judgements, even in matters relating to politics, whenever the fundamental right of man, or the salvation of souls require it."

Jesus was tested constantly. How did he deal with it? He kept going back to the word of God. I wonder if he was here, what would he be encouraging us to do? 

I want to address some points regarding the election. As I prepared for this I wanted to be careful not to take sides, so I hope it doesn’t come across that way. I want you to be absolutely clear, that in no way am I telling anyone how they should vote. You must decide in your conscience how you should vote. That is your right and freedom, but it is very important that we understand not just who we are voting for, but the implications of what we are voting for, which could have a big impact on us as Catholics, in regard to what God teaches. Everything I want to mention is in relation to our faith.

In every election there are all kinds of issues to be addressed: healthcare, education, emigration, the environment, etc. But there are also some issues for us, which are non-negotiable. For Christians they are not up for debate.

Three of the most basic and non-negotiable moral principles of our faith are:

1.    The sanctity of life at all its stages.

2.    Religious liberty.

3.    The sanctity of marriage as a life-long commitment between a man and a woman.

We have a duty as Catholics to do everything we can to uphold these principles, because we believe they are God-given.

Of all the sins against God, I have no doubt that the most serious one is abortion, because it is the sin against God’s greatest creation, the human being, from its earliest stages. Currently, there are 61 million abortions per year, worldwide. I don’t know how God hasn’t already wiped us out. What is behind abortion is demonic. In the book of Revelation it says, ‘And the Dragon was enraged at the woman and went away to wage war on the rest of her children, those who keep God’s commandments and hold to the testimony about Jesus.’ (Rev 12:17). Satan wants to destroy God’s creation and one of the ways he works is by causing confusion. Look how much confusion is around us at the moment, even in the Church.

I also know how so many women have been traumatized and hurt by abortion, often carrying the scars with them for the rest of their lives. I hear it all the time in confessions. I have never met a woman who didn't regret it.

I'm sure if I met Joe Biden I would like him, but it is confusing when someone says they are Catholic, but promotes values which go completely against our faith. He is for abortion and promotes it. He is entitled to believe what he wants, but because he is in such a prominent position, it is misleading to say you are Catholic, as it can give the impression that it is ok to be totally for abortion while being Catholic. It is not. It is a contradiction. He is also in favor of the Hyde Amendment, which, if passed, would force all tax-payers to fund abortion, euthanasia and stem-cell research. It is not for me to judge him, but it is so important to remember the implications of who we vote for. We are not just voting for an individual person, but a whole way of thinking.

There is currently in place an act called the ‘Religious Freedom Restoration Act’. This protects healthcare workers from having to take part in abortions, or procedures which go against their religious beliefs. Depending on who is voted in, that could be overturned, which would mean that healthcare workers would be forced to take part in abortions, or similar procedures, or they could lose their jobs. That also goes to show you how our religious freedom is being undermined.

Neither side is ideal, of course, but we have to decide what would best help the country, especially in regard to what we believe. It would be great to be able to keep our religious beliefs completely separate from politics, but you can’t, because one affects the other, whether you want it to or not. One politician has, on record, stated that the Knights of Columbus, which are here in our parish and most parishes, are an ‘all-male extremist group’, because of their work in upholding Catholic teaching and values. That goes to show you all the extremes we are dealing with. I am a member of the Knights of Columbus, so is the bishop and many other priests. No matter which party you support, we should be free to practice our faith.

It is interesting how the liberal media praise Joe Biden for his Catholic views, while calling Judge Amy Coney Barrett ‘dangerous’ in her views.

If I am to be a Catholic, then it means I have to try and live the teachings of the Church, which are God’s teachings. They are certainly demanding, but Jesus was crucified because he preached the truth. To love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul, is to live by his commandments. You can’t compromise God’s commandments. They are what they are.

It is not for me to judge any politician, only God can judge them, but it is important to be clear about what is Catholic and what is not.

Thankfully, all of you are completely free to vote as you see fit and please God it will always be that way. So ask the Lord to guide you and He will, but know what you are voting for, because you are not just voting for a person, but a party that will take the country in a particular direction. 

Finally, remember that no matter what happens, the Lord is with us and will guide us as He always has. The Lord’s message is always one of hope, even in the worst of situations.

Jesus said, "This is the first and greatest commandment. You shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your mind and with all your soul."