It was shocking to see the events of January 6th, when violent rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol building while Congress was certifying the vote for president by the Electoral College. The House of Representatives and the Senate have the responsibility of counting and confirming the states’ electoral votes. This is a final step before the President is inaugurated. The rioters stated that they did not accept the results of the election and were prepared to do harm to Congress members and the Vice President, in order to overturn the results. In the violence, two people died of injuries and three from medical events. At this writing, two other participants have committed suicide.

Many have heard me say while preaching that no President, no Prime Minister, no King/Queen, or other leader of a nation is our savior; nor political party or political philosophy. We have one Savior, Jesus the Christ!

And yet, the energy and passion some Catholics have used and seen others expend in the political world, seems to me out of proportion with the passion, or lack of passion, about our Catholic, Christian beliefs. To what ends are we willing to go in order to live a Christ-like life? In contrast, to what ends have we gone to promote the principles of our political preferences? Let me assure you that it is not a Christian principle to condone hatred and violence upon others with whom we disagree.

Serving those who have been ignored by others, feeding the hungry, freeing captives and bringing the Good News to the poor are fundamental activities for Christians. Protecting life and respecting life are fundamental to being Christian. We cannot abandon our faith and pursue violence for the sake of a preferred political party. We must not abandon the peace that Christ leaves for us, the peace that Christ gives to us.

The violence associated with protests for racial justice this past summer was no less problematic. Any Christian who accepts or justifies violence for the sake of accomplishing some sense of justice is wrong-hearted. There were many philosophies in dialogue as people argued about the proper treatment of human beings, regardless of race, color, creed, sexual preference, or nationality. But, we who follow Christ remember his ministry to the many, even Gentiles. We remember St. Peter’s recognition that God shows no distinction among human beings (Acts of the Apostles 10:34-35). All are worthy of God’s grace. That is our starting point: not in difference, but in oneness.

Peace, Fr. Andy