Dear St. Rita Families,

On the news, it’s impossible to escape the onslaught of restless agitation about all the really big, important issues that have enveloped the minds and engrossed the hearts of the American people. And, maybe you don’t want to escape those things. After all, this is about the soul of our nation – each and every person has a deep desire to be, well, GOOD! And the path to that goodness is fraught with so many obstacles, from the very nature of that goodness we seek, to the right path to get there. No wonder there is lots of conversation, arguments, and powerful emotions surrounding all of it.

In the midst of all of the hubbub, however, I want to ask you a different question: How is your family? Politics is important, but your family is more important. World happenings have long-lasting consequences, but your first responsibility is the persons who God has entrusted to you and the very long-lasting consequences of their faith or lack thereof. The big stuff is important, no doubt, but it must be subordinated to and directed towards your salvation and the salvation of your family.

If part of the political conversation is to protect our children from harmful influences (from ‘education’ in sexual sin to incorrect ideas about life and the world), then families must also do their part to ensure that those same influences do not sneak their way in by means of a solely emotional opposition. In other words, it is possible to create a non-Catholic out of your Catholic children by being too emotional, too volatile, too “anti” everything else out there. If we are anti-everything, those who hear us rightly begin to ask, “What are you for?” What begins to emerge is something quite frightening: What we are “for” is to be “against”! And to be “against” is not a sustainable way of living, because it always needs something to be against. When one “enemy” is conquered, on to the next one! It needs its enemy to sustain its worldview and is therefore self-defeating. If you are against it, be against it. If you need it, need it. But needing it so you can be against it is internally inconsistent and logically incoherent. It is also not Christ’s methodology.

The famous Scripture that you remember from televised football games as a kid (which is actually a tragic and sad story) is the verse to go to: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him might not perish, but might have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). For God so loved the world. You see, God is for you and for the salvation of each and every human person. He is so for you that sin doesn’t (and can’t) even enter into His consciousness. God only “knows” sin in a way analogous to us who have sinned – He “knows” it because He recognizes that that which is good and ought to be there is missing.

So, back to the question. How is your family? Do they only see what you are against, or do they see the good that you are for as well? And, do they see the things that you are for as good? John 3:16 is good, but how many of “Rainbow Man’s” viewers couldn’t see it? If that which we are for is going to be perceived as good, it will happen in the course of our interactions with others. Others must know that we care more about them than about squashing that big enemy out there. Not only will that itself be a victory because we, like God, will focus on and only know the good, but it will win others as well. Others will know that they are not just a cog in your grand scheme to assuage your vitriolic need to destroy the enemy. They will know that the enemy has been destroyed in you, because now you live in love more than in selfishness.

You see, God doesn’t care about the enemy, the devil. The enemy has gone his own way, and he has no part at all in God. He knew what he was doing, and he cannot return to God. You and I, on the other hand, have been made children of God, have been given redemption and salvation. We’ve been given countless opportunities to return to Him if necessary, and that opportunity is always available while we are on this earth. The devil doesn’t get that. He is constantly struggling against God because he has nothing to be for, except himself. It’s like he needs to have an enemy, but the struggle is futile. He is eternally frustrated. You, on the other hand, have received the glorious freedom of the children of God (cf. Rom 8:21).

Therefore, when any enemy shows up in your life, whether it’s the big political ones, the daily temptations, or any other, only give them enough headspace to boot them out again and focus on your God-given vocation[1]. If you have already given these enemies too much headspace, bring them to the Foot of the Cross to surrender them and to allow God to fill the void. There is so much good to focus on, so much good to do, so many people to love. Why give evil any more space than necessary?

In Christ,

Fr. Christensen 

[1] For people in politics or who promote goodness in the culture, this may be more headspace than your average Joe.