Yes... about 2-3 months ago, I started to realize.... wow, this is who we have to vote for... Candidate A & B. You got to be kidding right?! I became very anxious about this. About what could come if either one of these candidates became elected. And all the negative thoughts went constant through my head. Someone asked me, "What would be the worst thing that could happen?" I thought on that... and responded... "Losing the freedom to worship my Catholic faith." And I am still a little nervous about some of those thoughts. But over the past months, I have prayed a lot about it. For Jesus and Mary to protect us, bring me peace, and help the right candidate become president. I learned from St. Faustina and St. John Paul II to trust more. I repeated to myself many times, "Jesus I Trust in You." And I honestly believe that has helped take the anxiety away from me. I have come to the realization that yes, Jesus is with us, and will always be with us, and will help us no matter what happens. If we are faithful to Jesus, He will be faithful to us. Hold on to that... it has helped me. And just keep praying. :)
Below is a homily that our priest, Fr. Stillmunks, had a week ago. He talked at all Masses, and I am grateful that our church recorded it, and want to share with you what he said. It's so good!!
A few take-a-ways....
1) We NEED to vote!! It's our moral obligation and DUTY to vote! There are many other important topics besides President that you can vote on. Educate yourself and vote!
2) We have to vote Against the Intrinsic Evils (Abortion, Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide, Embryonic Destructive Research, Genocide, Attack against Human Dignity)... it's a must! We not only have our earthly citizenship responsibilities, but we also have our heavenly citizenship responsibilities. Our duty to defend life. Our ability to respond Yes to Jesus when He asks us how we followed him.
3) Pray... Pray... This gave me the most hope. Jesus and our Blessed Mother are so powerful. Beyond our understanding and comprehension. Miracles can and will happen. Look at the conversion of Russia. Of Poland. We, as a Catholic community, may become smaller as freedoms may be taken away from us. But as I'm reading about Pope John Paul II right now, and all Poland as a Catholic community went through when it was ruled by communism (it's awe-inspiring to me, as so much of what the communist govt regulated, laws--is completely happening now Again--- you would think we could learn from the past) But even with all of that.. it is giving me hope. That things may get worse, more than likely will get much harder. That the church may get smaller. But there is still going to be strong people, strong Catholics out there all over the world, that will defend this faith, defend this freedom, defend what we most strongly believe in! And the Catholic church will become stronger!
One more thing... I dare you to make a difference. I dare you to take a step. I dare you to make history. 192 years since this was done. I dare you... to vote for not the lesser of two evils. But for a candidate that your conscience can be okay with. That your heart can be okay with. Write him in even. Be the difference. Be the change. If a third candidate could take away enough electoral votes to prevent Candidate A or B from gaining 270 electoral votes... then the House of Representatives would decide the tie breaker. This hasn't happened since 1824! And it has been 1968 since a third party has actually won electorial votes. BUT.. don't let that stop you! Don't let that discourage you! Amazing things can happen. Look,... the Chicago Cubs made history by ending a 108 year drought of winning the World Series. Maybe it could be the same? :) Just a thought.
With that being said though.... there is a lot at stake in this election. Some people said it's just four years. But I say.... no, it's much more than that! The person that becomes president will make changes, it's a part of life. It goes with the job. And some of those changes and decisions will take effect for years to come. There is a big chance that 4-5 new Supreme Court Justices will be chosen within the next four years.... and they have so much power of the laws of our land. They decide what follows the constitution and what doesn't. Look back to 1973... Roe vs Wade... the Supreme Court legalized abortion and 43 years later we are still trying to overrule that. So what I'm saying is basically I don't know what's right.... but I need to trust that God will take care of us. He is mighty and good and nothing escapes His control. Hold on to that peace He only brings. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." -John 24:26
Lastly... let's not forget the Founding Fathers... the ones who started this Great Country. The ones who fought for the freedom we have today, believing in the "Supreme Judge of the World" and trusted "with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence."
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
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