My brothers and sisters, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.
Do you remember when Presidential election campaigns were somewhat limited to the weeks between Labor Day and Election Day? That process is long gone as it now seems to be a never-ending campaign. The final weeks leading up to a national election, however, are still the most intense, this year more than ever. In a short time, we will cast our votes, and we will do the opposite of what St. James talks about in our second reading – we will show partiality and make a choice.
The partiality that St. James cautions against is one of superficiality. As disciples of Christ, we are not partial to exteriority but are instead partial to an interior justice. We are concerned with the soul, the human person who is made in the image and likeness of God. Our partiality is for unconditional love. In a few short weeks, we will engage in a process that is fundamental to our citizenry in the democratic republic of our country. In making a choice, we will show partiality. As Catholic Christians, our partiality and our choice does not come from affiliation with a political party, philosophy or movement. Our partiality comes from our fundamental relationship with Jesus Christ, who sends us forth to “glorify the Lord with our lives.”
I think it is important then that we spend the next few weeks reflecting on how we as Catholics make such choices. What are some guiding principles of our partiality? I hope to answer that question over the next several weeks by sharing with you what is commonly known as the Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching.
The Church’s social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society. Modern Catholic social teaching has been articulated through a tradition of papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents. The depth and richness of this tradition can be understood best through a direct reading of these documents. However, the resource of the time and space to do so is limited for most of us. Therefore, in these brief reflections over the next few weeks, I hope to highlight several of the key themes that are at the heart of our Catholic social tradition and will, therefore, assist us in expressing our partiality and choice through the election process.
The first theme of Catholic Social teaching is the Life and Dignity of the Human Person.
The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred, and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. If we do not believe in the fundamental right to life, all other “rights” fall by the wayside. Human life, therefore, is under direct attack through the acts of abortion and euthanasia. The value of human life is also threatened by cloning, embryonic stem cell research, gender alteration attempts and the use of the death penalty.
The life and dignity of the human person is also denied through the intentional targeting of civilians in war or terrorist attacks. Our fundamental value of the dignity of the human person calls on us to work to avoid war. As Catholic Christian citizens of our nation, we are called to show partiality to all efforts that seek to protect the right to life by finding increasingly effective ways to prevent conflicts and resolve them by peaceful means. We believe that every person is precious, that life is sacred from the moment of its conception to its natural death. The measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person. We are partial to all that protects, defends and holds sacred, human life.
Let us continue to pray for all who seek office and for those who will be served through their efforts. More next week.
BACK TO SCHOOL – The return of students to school this week is a sign of the many new beginnings happening in parish life. Faith Formation, CYO, Scouts, Youth Ministry and Family Mass are just some of the ways in which we seek to engage families and youth in the church’s mission. I hope that this may also be a time of new beginnings for older folks as well. I encourage everyone to consider ways in which they may be engaged in a new mission.
9-11-01 ANNIVERSARY MASS – I invite you to participate in the annual ceremony on Wednesday morning as well as the memorial mass in the evening at The 9-11 Towers Of Freedom Memorial At John Burns Park.
Peace,