by Emily Lopez
I’m writing this column on Nov. 5 — Election Day. By the time you read this, the next president-elect of the United States will be determined.
In many ways it is just another Tuesday, although it feels a bit heavier. To be honest, the weight is not tied to the outcome of this election, but to the overall process itself.
This cycle has felt especially divisive, isolating and unkind. In the midst of exercising our right to engage in democracy, it can feel like the best choice we’ve been offered is barely mediocre.
In the past week, I’ve heard numerous reminders to get involved, make your voice heard, be engaged and recognize the privilege we’ve been given — all in an effort to increase poll participation. But I wonder if these same mantras could also be applied to our everyday lives in another way.
What if we recognized the privilege we’ve been given through the gift of baptism as sons and daughters of Christ?
What if we made our voices heard as they proclaimed the Gospel of joy and salvation?
What if we got involved in the lives of those around us to bring goodness and kindness to build relationships of trust and care?
What if we engaged in showing up everyday as living witnesses to the profound goodness and mercy of a loving God?
I have great respect for our democratic system, but I do believe that the greatest gift we offer this world in our lifetime is neither our vote nor the opinion of national leaders.
We are each called to a unique and invaluable role in salvation history — called to live the gift of this one life in service to God and others. We do that best in caring for those around us, regardless of the yard sign they’ve put out this year.
Do we make assumptions about our neighbors by the “signs” we see in their lives? Or do we look for opportunities to witness their dignity as a beloved child of God? Are we willing to start the conversation or make the first invitation, even when it’s uncomfortable?
This is the call of our baptism — to know that we have freely received God’s grace and, trusting in that grace, to live with confidence in the movement of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives.
Whether the results of this election have left you overjoyed or despairing, we are each called to follow Christ first. Living in God’s grace, we become a people of hope, allowing our “light [to] shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (Mt 5:16).
May your light glorify God and others every day!
