Four years ago, after the elections of 2016, there was both cheering and crying in parts of our local and national communities. While some voters were elated by the election of Donald Trump, others were concerned about things he had said during his campaign, including about the character of our Hispanic sisters and brothers who immigrated to the United States.

As I write this, several days before the election, I am concerned about the post-election response of the people. I have prayed a petition at all of the Masses for “fair elections and peaceful outcomes,” as well as for people of this country “to hold our elected officials accountable” for governing ALL of the people and living up to the call to public service. “Public service” is the ultimate goal of a candidate’s election. S/he is to serve the entire population which s/he represents. A president, senators, and representatives are part of a national body of leaders, and as such, these public servants are to consider what is best for the whole country as they deliberate and legislate. Public service is not about “my public,” but rather about the public as a whole.

As citizens and interested participants in this country’s governance, we must be able to see the larger picture as well. We elect public servants to serve the public, not just me/us. We need to evaluate an elected official’s ability to keep a balanced perspective on the issues. That is not an easy task.

Leadership also leaves no room for selfishness, or self-enrichment. These are the opposite of public service. We must not accept such selfishness as “the cost” of democracy. Public servants can do better and they must. We desire a spirit of generosity in everyone who stands for election. Without evidence of self-giving and generosity, we ought not to let any candidate become comfortable in his/her campaign.

Our country and the world will face the on-going effects of COVID-19 for at least a year after the elections. We will need public servants to remain focused, not on themselves, nor simply on partisan politics, but on the common good. The common good is a Gospel Principle rooted in agape (unselfish love). It refers to the aspiration that every person should have sufficient access to the goods and resources of society so that they can completely and easily live fulfilling lives. The rights of the individual to personal possessions and community resources must be balanced with the needs of the disadvantaged and dispossessed. The common good is reached when we work together to improve the wellbeing of people in our society and the wider world.

Peace, Fr. Andy