Hello! Like you, I've been watching election results slowly roll in. We know whatever the outcome, we'll experience significant impact. Half the country will be happy, and half will be upset. Which half has yet to be decided.

While we absolutely must be aware of how politics affects us and recognize the part politics plays in our life, I urge all of you to remember our first loyatly is to Christ the King. We're members of His kingdom that will endure forever and never pass away. No matter who holds the reigns of political power, Christ is reigning on his throne, and each of us will be called to give an account of our life before Him, the universal Judge.

Jesus himself wielded no political power. He was put to death by political power. Yet God the Father exlated Him and gave Him the name above every other name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bend, both in heaven and on earth (Philippians 2). We do not place our ultimate trust in political power and princes (Psalm 146), but in the power of Jesus. He is the truth, God's righteous One, who is love that's faithful unto death, and life that's more powerful than death. All who place themselves under Him in obedience and service to God and neighbor will reign with Him forever, even if they possess no political power or are persecuted for righteousness' sake by political power (Matthew 5).

During my morning prayer today, I read St. Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 12: "I willingly boast of my weakness, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I am content with weakness, with mistreatment, with hardships, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ; for when I am powerless, it is then that I am strong."

St. Paul tells the church in Corinth that true power lies not in the power of government office, but in Christ. Paul is content with weakness, mistreatment, hardship, even persecutions and difficulties, because he's united to the true source of strength, Jesus Christ. He trusts not in politics to fulfill his purpose, but in Christ, who empowers him to give his life in faithful witness to Christ.

St. Paul’s words weren’t only for the Corinthians. They're for us, too. This election season, I’ve had to take them to heart myself. We can expect that mistreatment, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties will continue to be present for all who want to remain faithful to the Gospel and teach it to others. But regardless of the outcome of this election, we live our call whatever the circumstances, just like St. Paul. And the more aware we are of our personal inadequacies, the more we should turn in prayer to the risen Jesus. When we open ourselves to His grace, He will empower us to lovingly give ourselves for the sake of others.

We meet people where they are. We speak life, love, and truth into them and pray it bears fruit. We serve our neighbors in any need. We slowly, one heart at a time, renew our community with the Gospel. And we do it whether or not we have political power, in abundance or suffering, in strength or weakness, when well-thought of and when mistreated, in peace or in hardships, when praised or persecuted, when it's easy and when it's difficult. We do it all for the sake of Christ, our true King, in hope of being exalted with him by the Father forever.

So whether the occupant of the White House, legislators, and judges are friendly or unfriendly toward us, like St. Paul, we can say, "I'm content for the sake of Christ; for when I'm powerless, it's then that I'm strong."

This weekend, plan to attend one of our five Mass options to receive the power that flows from Christ in the Eucharist: Saturday 4pm St. John's, 6pm St. Joe's; Sunday 9am St. John's, 11am St. Joe's, 7pm St. John's. There's plenty of room to spread out and stay safe, and thank you to everyone for continuing to sacrifice and wear masks while in the church!

Following the 11am Mass at St. Joe's on Sunday, join me for a walking Rosary across the street in the Ishpeming cemetery. We'll fulfill our duty, especially in this month of November, to pray for the dead. Around noon, we'll gather in the parking lot and walk to the cemetery together.

Next Tuesday is Catholic Man Night at St. Joseph parish hall. Beverages and grill is provided, bring whatever you want to cook on it. We'll grill outside, and spatially distance inside to eat and discuss all things Catholic and all things manly. Join in!

Finally, next Wednesday is Veteran's Day. Be sure to pray for and thank the men and women who've bravely served our country in times of distress or times of peace. Of the 18 million living veterans, nearly 5 million of them are Catholic. Thank you to all who have served!

Peace,

Father Ryan