Let’s campaign for Jesus’ party
In light of the highly controversial presidential campaign we are living through, it is of vital importance that we demonstrate our proud affiliation with the universal party of the disciples of Jesus. It is the party that makes us sisters and brothers; the party that helps us discover the true values of all humanity; the party that compels us to defend and promote the life and dignity of all who are born in this world, and particularly in this country.
In Jesus’ party, all of us have the obligation to launch our candidacy. All of us have the qualities and resources to be authentic leaders who genuinely represent the party’s values. In baptism, our human nature has been affiliated with the grace of God, and by that grace, all the richness in the mind, body and heart of each woman and man is perfected.
The common goal for our party’s members is to become “presidents of holiness.” Although all of us are qualified candidates, not all will reach the presidency. As St. Paul says, all run the race, but not all reach the goal. (see 1 Corinthians 9:24-27) The only ones who reach the goal are those who strongly desire it and therefore conscientiously prepare for it.
Many candidates fail due to lack of preparation, poor strategic planning or a confused vision of their objectives. As candidates we must be primed in the principles of Jesus (the Gospel and catechism) in order to communicate them clearly during campaign events and to convince others of the need to put those principles into action for the good of our communities.
We must learn to join in the efforts, fights, sufferings, sacrifices and dedication of the other candidates, and let them know that their campaigns have motivated us to forge ahead during moments of fatigue and discouragement when the goal is still distant and daunting.
We should not in any way impede the other candidates from reaching their goal. On the contrary, we should look to synchronize our steps so that no one falls behind.
As candidates of Jesus’ party, campaigning toward “presidential holiness,” we rejoice that it’s a tight race and that the road is often uphill and filled with obstacles, because it brings out the best in us and helps members of other parties discover the greatness and potential our party possesses, thanks to Jesus our Founder.
As members of this party we run unafraid of being disqualified during the lengthy campaign, because the other candidates teach us the rules of competing with patience and unbreakable perseverance, just as our Founder taught us.
Awareness of the goal — presidential sanctity — gives the candidates a life of constant joy, peace and fraternity. Many men and women have campaigned throughout the centuries and have triumphed. They are the nominated candidates we call the saints, and together with the Founder of our party they preside over us in our eternal homeland. Mary stands at the goal, ready to congratulate all those who make it.
Bishop Eusebio Elizondo is writing the bishop’s column while Archbishop J. Peter Sartain recuperates from back surgery.
Northwest Catholic - September 2016