...encourage your hearts and strenthen them in every good deed and word...
Saint Paul urges us today to have strengthened hearts so that we might do good deeds...
Well good deeds are at hand, on Nov. 8.
So are our choices self evident?
Within the realm of possibilities, Cathoics can vote Republican or Democratic.
For the "Kingdom of God," the core message of Jesus transcends any political Party.
And yet around the country priests from the pulpit are encouraging as a good deed your vote for Trump.
They do so, if not directly, then at least indirectly, by proclaiming abortion an intrinsic evil and by voting for Hillary Catholics even disqualify temselves from holy Communion.
Are they correct in their assumption that abortion will automaticaly benefit from a wrong vote?
And that somehow your correct vote will directly assure the overturn of the Roe/Wade Supreme Court abortion decision?
I think their assumption does not hold water.
Political choices are prudential judgments made by individuals who weigh ALL the issues, and choose eother the best solution they judge to be prudent, or even what they consider the lesser of two evils.
Here are some little known facts regarding abortion and the Supreme Court:
In the initial Roe/Wade decision, the majority of the justices who voted FOR
Roe Wade WERE APPOINTED BY REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTS.
IN THE LATER CASEY DECISION which widened abortion opportunities:
There were 8 Republican appointed justices on the Supreme court. This presented the golden opportunity to overturn Roe/Wade once and for all!
Was it overturned?
NO.
More recently the majority of justices were Catholics.
Did they overturn Roe/Wade?
NO.
In my opinion, which is just as good as the Catholic priests who in fact condemn Hillary from their pulpits, the abortion issue will not be solved by any future Supreme Court,
It can only be solved by persuasion. We live in a secular nation and we will not suceed in any political solution. We must do so in the court of public opinion.
Individuals through prayer, good counselling, and good advice must be persuaded that for them abortion is NOT the RIGHT CHOICE.
AND SOME OF THE MOST PERSUASIVE IMAGES ARE WHAT THE CAMERA SEES WHEN IT PEERS INTO THE WOMB.
I have attended several movies which showe this revelation.
The camera peers into the womb and reveals a baby.
I BELIEVE IT TO BE MORE PERSUASIVE THAN ANY POLITICAL SLOGAN.
This is an important election. I believe every Catholic has the right and obligation to weigh all the issues, pray for the guidance of the Spirit, and make a decision that their conscience decides whether it would be Trump or Hillary.
And not to be guided by what some particular priest says from the pulpit whether the advice comes from your local pulpit.....or from MY PULPIT!
For more: Google:
"Are Liberal Judges to Blame For Roe/Wade?'
And so we pray:
Come Holy Spirit,
Brood over our land.
Strengthen our hearts for good deeds.
Inspire us,
Enlightn us.
Move us.
Amen