Everything you wanted to know

Getting into Politics'?

Our social customs urge us not to talk religion or politics. Talk politics in church and you're sure to get flack.

Again, what would Jesus do? He did very forcefully challenge both the civil and religious structures and leaders of his day in both actions and words.

He told his followers to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, house the homeless, love enemies, forgive injuries, receive and share peace (shalom, growth, development, fulfillment, the fullness of life here as well as hereafter).

Archbishop Oscar Romero, martyred in El Salvador because he stood up for the poor, said, "I feed the poor and I'm called a saint. I ask why they are poor and I'm called a communist" Someone else said that politics is the stage upon which the drama of justice is enacted.

Jesus never spoke of the separation of church and state. And even our national roots simply and wisely try to avoid the establishment of one religion over another, not the absence of religious principles in our national decisions. We don't want campaigning in our churches. But we certainly do need to apply the principles of the Scriptures to contemporary social issues. What many people really mean when they say the church should stay out of politics is drat they don't agree with a stand taken on a particular issue: abortion, capital punishment, military expenditures, care for the poor.

I personally take great delight in being part of a religious community that speaks loud and clear for life in every situation. If anything, our parishes need to do much snore to lead members in selecting and influencing elected leaders to enact legislation and policies drat will be Supportive of the highest quality of life for all God's people We have a fair record on works of charily, but not that good a record on working for justice A parish without a social justice committee should be as unheard of as a parish without a finance council.

After giving them a tour of the church, a priest asked scare high school students, "What is the most important tiring to the church?" One student answered, "The EXIT sign." Instead of scolding him, the priest patiently asked the student, "Timmy, why is the EXIT sign the most important tiring in the church" Tim responded, "Because it tells us. Father, that we have to go out of here and bring the love of Jesus into the world."

Keep that EXIT sign to mind - not during the homily, but on the way out of church. That's where the gospel is lived. That's Man Jesus, and we his followers, are for the salvation of the world.

Everything you ever wanted to know But thought you should already know, so didn't ask
By Fr. Ron Luka, CFM

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