November Rain...

Happy November! We all know what this month brings. Tomorrow is the big day and believe it or not, I am not going to write about the election much this week. Whether you can vote or are not quite old enough, all we can do now is pray that the Lord’s will is done. And also, whoever wins and at whatever cost, may the cause of life, justice, and peace be defended and promoted. I came to the conclusion that there is not much more to say about what will happen the next few days in our country. We will have a new president and regardless of who it is, the Lord will still be our Lord and he still calls us all to be light in the darkness of our times.

November is the month that we in the Church pray for our beloved dead. May the souls of all the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace! When I was in Mass this morning, while praying for the election in addition to those who have died, all the seminarians we encouraged to realize that we are all on our way to meet the Lord. I was overwhelmed with this notion! My friends, we are on our way to meet the Lord! Take a moment to reflect upon all those in your life who have gone before us. Maybe the thoughts bring up sadness, which is the common feeling for us as we think about those who we miss. This month we pray and remember those who we miss; it is a wonderful time to remember that in God’s great mercy our friends and family are on their way to meet the Lord or have met Him already. What great joy this should bring to your heart! What great longing should well up in our hearts and overflow in anticipation for what is to come. We are on our way to meet the Lord!

Let this be the context in which we live our lives - and let this be the context in which we vote or participate in our society. All of us are on way to meet the one who made us, loves us, and calls us to live according to His way. The genius about Catholics and Christians taking part in civic society and participating in our culture is that we can make decisions and choices that lead us to this noble end. Is this person going to help me save my soul and lead me to meet my Lord? Is this job, school, or relationship going to help save my soul and lead me to meet my Lord? This is the question friends!

Everyday we all get up and whether we realize it or not, are making choices that are leading us to the salvation of our souls or are leading us astray. Everyday we get a step closer to meet our Lord who yearns for us to be with Him. Someone asked me the other day how they should vote, and my only advice was for them to vote as if their LIFE depended on it. In a greater context we should not only vote, but make certain and decisions and choices as if our very lives depended on it. Because they do! The decisions we make at school, home, at work, on Friday and Saturday nights, affect our lives and the direction we are going.

Today, tomorrow, and everyday we should take a moment to remember those who have gone before us. Then remember that we are on our way to be them and be with our Lord. Tomorrow’s election won’t change that. It will effect it, but it will never change the fact that all of us, regardless of race, economic status, or creed are on our way to meet our Lord. What great news that is.
Let that bring a smile to your face today and even tomorrow.

Make choices today as if your LIFE depended on it…
God Bless You,

Rusty