Gospel for November 3 2024 – Mark 12:28-34
Gospel Reflections for November 3 2024
What is your policy on…?
If you had the chance, what question would you ask a politician in this year’s election? Would you ask about Immigration, or the economy, or education, or healthcare, or foreign policy? I am sure you would have good questions, but perhaps you might also wonder, “Would I believe the answer!”
What politicians say is important, and as good citizens you should know their policies well, but perhaps assessing their credibility is more difficult to know. While it is hard to understand all issues well, I think it is more important to know a politician’s credibility. You may not understand their answer, but can you trust and believe the person saying it?
Unfortunately, we do not have a credibility machine that we can hook up to candidates to measure their honesty accurately. That would certainly save a lot of time!
One person walks up to Jesus in today’s Gospel to ask his policy on the most important issue of his day (and our day as well). “What does God want me to do?” With remarkable clarity and wisdom, Jesus instantly summarizes thousands of Old Testament laws, as well as the Ten Commandments, into two easy-to-remember policies: Love God with everything you have, and love your neighbor as you love yourself.
This is a policy that you can support and from a person that has perfect credibility and integrity. You may not understand His answer well, but you can certainly trust that Jesus is from God.
Therefore, I will support any policy that comes closest to Our Lord’s policy as well. Remember that the Church only formally endorses its own unchanging moral policies from Our Lord …and never politicians …who often change their mind! (See all my moral articles)
The Catholic faith is the fullest revelation of what God intended for your lasting happiness and eternal salvation. Any policy that makes this happiness as God designed easier …well, I’m for it!
We also believe that Catholics are responsible citizens with something important to say to our society, and so we never miss a chance to vote. We cannot complain afterwards if we have not voted.
Our national founding document, the Declaration of Independence, affirms that our right to speak and vote in political affairs derives directly from God, and not from any person or government. We are good Catholics when we speak our mind through our vote.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Dear Father Dave,
We are indeed good Catholics when we do our civic duty and vote. Our country is a republic with a represented democracy.
There is no freedom without the freedom of life from conception to birth.
Who is the voice in the wilderness, crying up to God?
God bless you, Father Dave, and God bless our country.
Kathleen
I really like your message!
I also listened to a podcast this week. The pastor asked if Jesus would have voted. Yes was his answer. We might know that personalities come & go , but policies stay for a long time. He suggested to pick the candidate that helps best pulls heaven down into our society,
Not to pick a candidate that might pull Hell & chaos up into our society.
Voting is to be taken seriously and with reverence in what is Just and correct. I tell that to those trying to persude me to vote their way. I do not argue with them or hate them if they disagree with me. That is their decision.
I have been Pro Life since I was born and object to those making it sound objectionable.
Life Guard, Coast Guard, Sheriff Support Group and Dad. ,these positions enforced my Pro-Life position.
My Catholic Education and Faith have given me some truthes to live and make decisions with knowledge and what works. I use all this in fulfilling my Civil Duty of Voting.
Beautiful words Father Dave!!! Dick and I always vote with our precious Faith in our hearts and in our mind for our faith leads us to a beautiful proLife, moral,America!!! Loveeeeeeeee it!!! Praying for a proLife president to win!!!