11/1/2020
Solemnity of All Saints
Dear St. Joseph Parish Family,
This Tuesday our nation will hold the most contentious election I can remember. Please keep our country in your prayers. It seems that no matter who wins the presidency tens of millions of people in this country will be angry. These are dangerous and difficult times and our country needs as much prayer as possible.
As Christians, we know that our savior is Jesus Christ, not presidents or politicians. Remember to stay close to Christ and trust in Him: He is the source of our hope. Whether you find yourself elated or despondent after this election, don’t forget that our hope and joy is in Jesus. Scripture tells us to “trust not in princes!” (Psalm 146:3) We wish our leaders to be good and wise, but whether they are or not, our faith and hope must remain rooted in God.
Remember also charity. Passions are high, but we must love even those with whom we vehemently disagree. So many people today demonize those with whom they disagree: we must always love even our bitterest opponents. We don’t have to agree with them, but we must recognize their human dignity and treat them with charity, even if they do not reciprocate. We must be salt and light-giving witnesses through how we treat our fellow citizens. This witness is so very important at this moment when our country appears to be tearing itself apart. Let us live by charity and truth rather than anger and partisan zeal. Let us not go down a path from which our nation cannot recover: let us show another way than anger and despair or power and vengeance, let us be a people of true charity and mercy.
The way of charity is only possible when our faith and hope is in Christ. When we love God, we can love our neighbor. Stay rooted in Christ, live the way He showed us, and be the salt and light of the world.
God Bless,
Fr. Boniface