3 fathers and my vote

I find myself grimacing and flinching at all the online headline news and talking heads on TV who spin and bend ideology into so many directions and shapes.  I purposely have avoided joining the debate among social media sites or watching political news shows because the reality is that most aren’t putting forth engaging arguments, each side has a bias and is willing to bash the other viewpoint in order to give credance to their view.

Regardless, I am thankful for the freedom that my government  affords us all the priviledge to engage in all these types of conversations, no matter how ridiculous and mean spirited they may become.

What is unsettling is I that I have to work really hard to uncover the truth, I research credible news sites (not many), I listen to arguments by individuals who have proven to me to have values that are in common to my own as well as to other individuals whom I respect whose values are not in line with mine, but their reasoning skills are well developed. 

Ultimately, as I reflect on the candidates running for US president I am drawn to my Catholic consience engrained in me by my Catholic practicing parents and the Catholic nuns and teachers at the schools attended.  In reflecting I realized that three fathers have shaped this process in which I am currently undertaking.

My first resource that has formed how I think was developed by St. Benedict of Nursia in the early 4^th century.  He is known as the Father of the Western Monasticm and developed a set of rules that helped create the early Christian communities for religious orders.  Still so relevant today! Here is a nice reflection on St. Benedict's values:

Awareness of God

To look for God in the ordinary events of each day.
"We believe that the divine presence is everywhere." Rule of Benedict 19.1

Community Living

To become who we are by our relationships with others.
"Let all things be common to all." Rule of Benedict 33.6

Dignity of work

To appreciate the dignity of work in God's creation.
"...they live by the labor of their hands." Rule of Benedict 48.8

Hospitality

To offer warmth, acceptance, and joy in welcoming others.
"Let all...be received as Christ." Rule of Benedict 53.1

Justice

To work toward a just order in our immediate environment and in the larger society.
"...that in all things may God be glorified." Rule of Benedict 57.9

Listening

To hear keenly and sensitively the voices of persons and all created beings.
"Listen...with the ear of your heart." Rule of Benedict Prologue 1

Moderation

To be content with living simply and finding balance in work, prayer, and leisure.
"All things are to be done in moderation." Rule of Benedict 48.9

Peace

To strive for peace on all levels: with self, others, and God. Rule of Benedict Prologue

Respect for persons

To respect each person regardless of class, cultural background, or professional skill.
"No one is to pursue what is judged best for oneself, but instead, what is better for someone else." Rule of Benedict 72.7

Stability

To cultivate rootedness and a shared sense of mission.
"To stand firm in one's promises." Rule of Benedict 58

Stewardship

To appreciate and to care lovingly for all the goods of this place.
"Regard all utensils as if they were the sacred vessels of the altar." Rule of Benedict 31.10 

The second father I come to, is our Holy Father and spiritual guide for our Church (and he happens to have taken the name Benedict as well, go figure!)  He gifted us with a great teaching document, Caritas in Veritatis,  the theme of which is found in modern catholic social teachings. 

( see:http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20090629_caritas-in-veritate_en.html)

These principles lay out how to create a just society and how to live a holy life. In this latest document our Pope points to another great father, who penned Humanae Vitae, the late Great Pope John Paul II,  “The Church forcefully maintains this link between life ethics and social ethics, fully aware that “a society lacks solid foundations when, on the one hand, it asserts values such as the dignity of the person, justice and peace, but then, on the other hand, radically acts to the contrary by allowing or tolerating a variety of ways in which human life is devalued and violated, especially where it is weak or marginalized.”

(A great reflection on Catholic Social Teachigs can be found at this link: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/seven-themes-of-catholic-social-teaching.cfm)
 

In his writing Pope Benedict underscores the idea that a great and just society is one based on openess to life. 

So, for me, Holy Father Benedict from the early church days is an excellent starting point and the Church’s Social teachings of the 21^st  century are great too , but the ultimate resource is our Holy and Living Word, which according to Christian belief pre-existed all human existance. The Eternal Word.  In Scriptures we are taught by our Eternal Father himself what we are to value most of all: love God and love your neighbor as yourself. This is the foundation for every other value.  It forms the basis for the Catholic Social Teaching, St. Benedict’s rule and Pope Benedict XVI’s writings.

Using these underpinnings I now have a strategy and a clarity in how I am able to discern who I will vote for.

I empathsize with how difficult making an informed decision can be when we are daily being distracted by ideologs and ideologies screaming and yelling, all caps in social media forums, most grounded in some kind of fear, hate, power or greed.  Yes, it does take work and good research and deep reflection and ofcourse, prayer.

We must learn to reflect on what do we value most and WHO best reflects those values?  I recommend that we find a way to help us reflect on the important issues of life and a just society.  Let’s not depend on the TV or the social media crowd to bully or scare us into making our decision.

Also, lets talk with our children about it at the dinner table or in the car on the way to an activity.  It’s never too young to teach them how to debate these important issues without talking down to one another.  As Catholic parents we have a responsibility to vote but also to instruct our children how to be good, loving and critical listeners founded in what our faith teaches.  We must also show them how to rely on our Christian values that can shape the kind of world they will create. 

Now what I do suggest  is that we be kind to one another, let's not inflame the rhetoric by buying into the yelling and crazy talk, I suggest we listen critically to all sides, let's do some research, and then vote with a well formed Catholic conscience!