Across the Pastor’s Desk

By the Rev. Tim Reker, St. Theodore Catholic Church

We often joke that in Minnesota there are only two road seasons: construction and winter. If we take a closer look at the political situation of our nation, there seem to be only two political seasons: campaigning and elections. The various forms of media — print, radio, TV and electronic — can sometimes overwhelm us with the latest “issue” that demands our attention. As citizens of a democratic republic, we have a responsibility to be both informed and active in the political process. This responsibility is both a strength and weakness of our form of government. However, when we speak out as persons of faith (either individually or as a specific church), some want to silence us with the judgment: “Don’t impose your morality (religion, etc.) on us!” Yet, if the truth be told, the active involvement of faith-filled people has made all the difference in the strength of our nation. People of faith can work together to address issues when they share a common perspective on them. Let’s look at three examples.

First, the financial crisis has affected almost every person and household, either for good (the few) or for ill. When considering the solutions to the problems of employment, health care, childcare, education and the like, we should always take into consideration the Biblical exhortation to protect “the widow, the orphan and the alien.” For Christians, this prophetic concern is made even more concrete by Jesus in his words about the final judgment, “whatever you did for these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” Each of us can and should do what we are capable of doing as individuals, but there is a vital role for government, too. When we move into the public sphere, our motivation may be religious, but our language needs to broaden to include all. The philosophical perspective is that of the common good — what is truly best for the nation or state as a whole. One Minnesota organization that unites people of different faiths in the political process is the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition; it includes Jewish, Christian and Islamic faith groups. Can we work together to help the vulnerable in our midst?

Another issue that requires the participation of faith-motivated citizens is respect for human life from conception to natural death. (The Catholic tradition even designates October as Respect Life Month.) This issue is multi-faceted: pre-natal human life, vulnerable children and adults, end-of-life decisions and capital punishment. We may act out of religious convictions such as believing that God is the source of all life, human and divine, or the commandment, “Thou shall not kill.” Entering into the public sphere, the reasons for our positions in protection of human life need to be well-reasoned and based upon an accurate understanding of natural law. No political party may fully represent our perspective, but we must keep working with politicians of various stripes to protect human life more completely.

Even more controversial to some is the definition of marriage, especially in light of next year’s proposed amendment to the state constitution. The Biblical witness to marriage is clear: “But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This teaching has its roots in the Book of Genesis, but is reaffirmed by Jesus in the gospels. Again, our faith understanding may motivate us to speak up or act on behalf of marriage as between one man and one woman, but our approach in the public square requires positions based upon an understanding of the human person and history. This view cannot be taken to discriminate against persons with same sex attraction; no, at the same time we must protect their civil rights and as people of faith, pastorally minister to them.

Yes, it would be much easier (and safer?) to keep our religious values to ourselves and some sectors of society would prefer that religion be kept private. However, genuine faith does not permit such “absolution” from our religious duty to society and our democratic republic demands the informed and active involvement of all citizens. If we don’t work together to make our city, state and nation more just and civil, then we are neither good citizens nor authentic people of faith. The challenge is to be faithful citizens!