One month into his second term as President of the United States, Donald Trump has, as he promised, hit the ground running. A whirlwind of initiatives, executive orders and legislative presentations has put into motion a redefinition of the status quo. More accurately an attempted elimination of it. Most will agree that government needs to go on a diet as costs and bureaucratic choke points have exploded and are a burden to the economy and invasive to working class people. Some worry that needed programs will not survive. Some see the breakneck pace of these changes as onerous; others are applauding it.
Catholic life is at the forefront of politics. One can always find their position on one side or the other of a debate. This is determined to a great degree by preconceived bias as well as real life experience. Make no mistake about it protecting Catholic values, particularly protecting life at all stages is the paramount duty of believers. Protecting especially the unborn and vulnerable individuals of all ages must be at the forefront of political action. The bishops of the nation have stated this unequivocally.
I find it somewhat amusing that Catholics often use one aspect of a political debate to endorse the actions of certain officials while ignoring blatant violations of Church law by others to justify electoral choices. How do we act as faithful Catholics and as faithful Americans? The answer lies in the further question, “What would Mary do?” No one understood Divine Will and true charity better than she.
Our nation has historically been very generous to the world. In light of this, I hope that God will show us mercy for the many sins we have committed when he judges us. The bigger hope, however, is that we as a people will see the error in our collective ways and turn to him in a penitential way. The height of American greatness can be defined by our strength and compassion. Without compassion there is no greatness. Without strength we turn our efforts to self-preservation.
Embracing the Life of Charity and Repentance
The message of Fatima, which our apostolate promotes, directs us to embrace a life of repentance and charity towards all. This charity must first be defined as concern for the eternal well-being of all. The Decade Prayer, which we pray while reciting the rosary, makes the plea that we must live by, “Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.” Tending to the corporal needs of people has been the mission of Catholic institutions for centuries. The goal, however, is to lead all to salvation. Providing comfort and care for anyone is meaningless if it does not lead them to their final disposition with God. Showing compassion for everyone is the duty of a Catholic.
No one in political leadership can fully cure the ills of the nation. Only we can truly right the course. Good leaders can enact policies that are more in line with Divine Law than what we have witnessed in recent times. We vote with a Catholic conscience and through prayer and diligence continue the vigil for justice. For many years we have wandered down the path of destruction by ignoring our moral foundation and following the current of popular culture.
Lent is around the corner. In these 40 days it is good for Catholics to renew their understanding of civic duty in light of our Faith. It is not just about fasting, abstaining and engaging in penitential acts. It is a time when we ask God to instill in us a better understanding of our identity. It is a time of transformation. On Ash Wednesday we begin a journey and aim to come out the other side on Easter Sunday a new creation. Every hurdle that the enemy can heap at you will be used so that you are not able to focus fully on the task of repentance. Discouragement is also the tool that he uses to derail us. Never despair. It is these times, when you feel that you have failed in your journey of faith that you are most likely on the right track. Always keep in your mind that question, “What would Mary do?”
At the time of this writing Pope Francis is in Gemelli Hospital in Rome, seriously ill and perhaps in his last hours. In your charity pray for him in this difficulty.
God bless you and Mary keep you in her Immaculate Heart.
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David M. Carollo is the Executive Director of the World Apostolate of Fatima USA/National Blue Army Shrine. He wrote this for his Voice of Fatima column.
If you would like to comment on this post, please contact him at [email protected].
