voting
Nov. 3 St. Martin de Porres
As we approach an important, divisive and decisive day next week on November 3rd, I’d love to share a bit about Saint Martin de Porres. November 3rd is our Election Day, but also his Feast Day, the day upon which many Christians will recall his example of faith and explore his life and legacy for nobility, truth and courage with which to animate our own journeys. This is my icon of Brother Martin to the right…
Brother Martin is remembered for an amazing life of faith and service, caring for the sick, putting others before himself, and a deep humility. This Peruvian saint was the rejected son of a Spanish noble and a freed slave of African and native descent. He was taken in as a young man by the local Dominicans, of whom he would become a treasured and trusted lay member. His selfless service was amazing. His ability to beg alms to feed his destitute neighbors and to care for orphans endeared him to many who knew him.
Today, St. Martin de Porres is held as the patron saint of many people and endeavors including African Americans, any People of Mixed Race, and of Social Justice. As his feast day falls on election day, I find myself looking to his example of faith, service and selflessness as a much needed filter for voting my conscience.
Imagine voting as Martin served, all to the benefit of my most needful neighbors. Imagine voting as Martin lived, placing our my interests aside and valuing those around me who may not have the power, voice and comfort which I enjoy. Imagine voting as someone who looks at all of God’s beautiful creation and loves it. Imagine voting as someone who looks at all God’s people, great and small, and loves each and every one. Can we vote as Martin served? Can we vote as Martin lived? Can we vote as Martin loved? I believe we can.
I’m not writing to tell you who to vote for in this election. Many have already voted, but most are still making our way to the ballot box. I am writing to say I believe there is a way to vote which can change our nation, serve the most needful and love our neighbor. Which candidate will advance compassion? Which candidate has shown humility? Which candidate will lead us to serve and uphold our most vulnerable and disenfranchised neighbors? Which candidate will better serve my neighbor than me myself? Which candidate is most capable of seeking the welfare of, upholding the dignity of, and serving the justice of those in our society with the least power, voice or representation?
Voting this way will keep me from bruising my conscience too badly when I approach the ballot box.
“God of Goodness, and God of Hope,
pour into us the kind of humility, love and courage
with which you animated our Brother Martin.
May we love our neighbors, honor their needs,
and vote to advance their lives.
Help us follow our Brother Martin’s example
as he followed the example of Christ,
through whom we pray. Amen.”
Be blessed, all
Todd
Life After the Vote
We are finally here… it’s crunch time. Today we’ll be wrapping up our General Election for the President of the United States. Millions have voted early, and we’ll be joined by millions more. Please take a deep breath and stand back for a moment; no matter who wins we will all be here on Wednesday, and the day after that, and the day after that.
Scripture has so much less to say about who we cast a vote for (as in none, no scripture at all) than about who we are going to be regardless of who is our President. Of course it matters who is the next President of our country, but I only control my one vote, not the election. There are many things in scripture to shape my personal values which should affect my vote, but we must admit that scripture primarily directly speaks to my submission to civil authority. Who I am, what I say and how I impact the world, is up to me. That’s the constant in my life, not the person holding our highest elected office. My own life, words and actions, are the responsibility I personally carry as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I can only guess how either candidate will make it easier or more difficult for me to actively express my faith in God and my discipleship to Jesus Christ. Wait. Let me rephrase that… neither candidate will have any impact on my ability or responsibility to actively express my faith in God and my discipleship to Jesus Christ. And certainly as a Christian, I will be working as hard and as loud as I can to be sure that no one else faces any threat to their religious freedoms be they Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh or atheist, etc. For even though a person’s convictions and faith belong solely to the individual, we must safeguard everyone’s right and to openly and safely be themselves. No matter who is in that highest office we will be our brothers’ keepers, and our sisters’ keepers. We will continue to stand with sexual miniorities who may be denied their civil rights and we will work to help and welcome the globe’s most vulnerable populations in their own countries and when they are forced abroad seeking refuge. None of this changes, regardless of the election’s outcome. Stop thinking of the election as an end or a solution… it is simply one step, forward or backward, in the sojourn of a little slice of our species.
Do yourself a favor and after today’s election, take a deep breath and stop the uncivil and angry dialogue. Drop the anger and the fear. Stop believing every unfounded accusation and spin job. Neither candidate will enter office unscathed by this past year, and neither needs to enter office amid this continuing storm of uncivil mud slinging and promised reprisals. Hold them accountable fairly and unceasingly. We will each be part of the process of helping whomever is elected, and our whole country, move forward. And in four more years we’ll do it all again, a little worse or better for the journey. And in the meantime we’ll all keep working hard for the values and goals we most cherish.
We’ll pray and we will be our neighbor’s servant. This is our calling. Not power. Not domination. Not nation building. Serving, and not being served. And peace will be our legacy and our inheritance.
“O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land,
that we may be a people at peace among ourselves
and a blessing to other nations of the earth.”
Book of Common Prayer, Page 821
And amen.
AMDG, Todd
election day limerick (nov. 6 2012… tongue in cheek)
My little election day limerick…
“election day is finally here
time for you to vote!
your side will surely win it all
or at least you hope
but either way you did your part
you braved the crowds, you stood in line
to guarantee for four more years
your right to cheer or right to whine
or letting loose that thousandth tear
so just be safe, and pack a bag
I hear Canada’s nice this time of year”
toddthomas.net 