Homily Starting points on Election themes for specific Sundays
Cycle B
Below you will find suggested ways in which the readings for specific
Sunday liturgies can lead us into reflections upon our political
responsibilities in the weeks immediately preceding the general elections.
22nd Sunday B
All three readings probe the meaning of true and pure worship, which can
never be simply external observance, but must involve an adherence of mind and
heart to God's commands. This adherence leads to the care of the needy, "looking
after orphans and widows in their distress" (2nd reading). None are more needy
in our day than the unborn. Christian service reaches out to them and their
mothers. Can we say, "Lord, save us" and yet ignore their plea for us to save
them?
The first reading, furthermore, shows that not only individuals, but nations,
are called to be faithful to God's law. The Church does not write the laws of
the nation, but proclaims the truths of God to which those laws must conform.
23rd Sunday B
Today's second reading strongly condemns favoritism, prejudice, and
discrimination. Our nation's abortion policy, recently reaffirmed by the Supreme
Court, is discrimination against the unborn and those in the process of birth.
The Court has said, "The word person … does not include the unborn" (Roe v
Wade). The Christian, on the other hand, is not free to exclude anyone from
his love and concern.
Jesus, as the First reading foretells and the Gospel fulfills, makes the
blind see and the deaf hear. This miracle is needed in our nation to help us
again see the dignity of the youngest members of the human family.
24th Sunday B
The abortion policies of our nation embody the rejection of the cross, for
which Jesus rebukes Peter in today's Gospel. The "right" to destroy even a
partially born child is based on the idea that we find fulfillment by pushing
others out of the way. Today's readings teach us that we find fulfillment only
when we push ourselves out of the way (take up the cross) to make room for the
other. Jesus says, "This is my body, given up for you" and we have life.
Abortion supporters say, "This is my body, so you, the baby, must die."
The second reading shows us that it is not enough to "believe" in the right
to life. We have to concretely help those who need protection. This includes
being informed and active participants in our national elections.
25th Sunday B
The Gospel equates the welcoming of a child with the welcoming of Jesus, who
embodies the very Kingdom of God. Abortion is exactly the opposite dynamic. Our
nation's policies do not welcome the child. The Supreme Court has solidified the
"right" to reject the child, even in the process of birth.
The pro-life position is the more inclusive, extending the circle of those
whom we recognize as brothers and sisters and welcome into the human community.
America is founded on the same ideal - that all are equal, and have the right to
life. The Statue of Liberty expresses this welcome. Elected officials,
therefore, have the obligation to uphold the principles of the equality of all
human beings before the law. The abortion policies must therefore be changed.
26th Sunday B
The Gospel warns against scandal, which means leading others into sin.
The US Bishops have made it clear that public officials who support abortion
risk the sin of scandal. They write, "We urge those Catholic officials who
choose to depart from Church teaching on the inviolability of human life in
their public life to consider the consequences for their own spiritual well
being, as well as the scandal they risk by leading others into serious sin. We
call on them to reflect on the grave contradiction of assuming public roles and
presenting themselves as credible Catholics when their actions on fundamental
issues of human life are not in agreement with Church teaching. No public
official, especially one claiming to be a faithful and serious Catholic, can
responsibly advocate for or actively support direct attacks on innocent human
life" (Living the Gospel of Life, 1998, n.32).
27th Sunday B
The Gospel declares that the Kingdom of God demands openness to the children.
Abortion directly contradicts this, both in national policy and personal
choices.
Moreover the teachings on the unity of man and woman in today's readings are
a good starting point to emphasize the Church's teachings on the dignity and
equality of women. To be pro-life is to be pro-woman. We do not say that the
child is more important than the mother, but that both are equal.
28th Sunday B
The prayer for wisdom (First reading) is one we should make not only for
ourselves, but for our national leaders, and those who seek elected office.
Wisdom in practice is reflected in the Gospel passage. It starts with
observance of the commandments, and the first one our Lord mentions is "You
shall not kill." The commandments are the path to life, for individuals and
nations. In our system of democracy, we the people govern the nation, and do so
especially by exercising our right to vote. When we enter the voting booths, we
do not cease to be Christians, exercising the wisdom God gives.
29th Sunday B
The Gospel makes it clear that the Christian is called to serve. Those in
public office are also called to serve. This means taking account of the needs
of all and protecting the lives of all. Abortion does exactly the opposite. It
ignores the most fundamental rights of an entire segment of the public. Support
for abortion cannot be reconciled with public service, and it is up to the
Christian community to make this clear to the rest of the nation.
30th Sunday B
The first reading speaks of the promise of return from exile. One of the
causes of the exile was the fact that God's people fell into the practice of
child-sacrifice (see 2 Kings 24:3-4).
Our nation allows child sacrifice, most vividly exemplified by partial-birth
abortion. Yet God gives us an opportunity to come back to him as a nation,
including the mothers with child (First reading), and to see again (Gospel) the
dignity of every life. Our national elections give each of us a chance to
participate in bringing our nation back to moral uprightness before God.
31st Sunday B
Both the first reading and the Gospel teach us that our first allegiance is
to God alone. In preparing to vote this week, therefore, we remind ourselves of
what the bishops have said in their 1998 document Living the Gospel of Life:
" we urge our fellow citizens to see beyond party politics, to analyze
campaign rhetoric critically, and to choose their political leaders according to
principle, not party affiliation or mere self-interest (n.34)."
Again, as they wrote in Faithful Citizenship (1999), "Our moral framework
does not easily fit the categories of right or left, Democrat or Republican. Our
responsibility is to measure every party and platform by how its agenda touches
human life and dignity."
Cycle A
Cycle C
