In the aftermath of the election, it is good to be reminded of my priorities.

I've often spoken about being a political wanderer, not entirely at home in either major political party in the United States. Politics is, ultimately, a tool for promoting the Common Good and helping to render society more just. In the heat of political expression and work (ie.,., the practice of politics), it is easy to lose a sense of perspective. The tool to bring about justice often becomes confused with the Source of Justice.

This is just as easy a trap for Christians to fall into as anyone else. Stumbling across a post on Dawn Eden's blog, I read an excerpt from an essay written by Fr. Stephen Freeman, an orthodox priest, which helped me put my priorities in right relationship to each other:

"The death of religion, of the true Christian religion, occurs when the God who became flesh and dwelt among us, is seen as the God who has removed Himself (having accomplished His work here) and is found only in the distance of theological thought. It is little wonder that in the sterility of Christian atheism the vacuum of a true spiritual life should be filled with the vacuity of the political life.

"The Republican party is dead. The Democratic party is dead. Neither of them can give you life. They belong to a world that is passing away. What remains is what has been established by God and still sails before the winds and on the tide that obey His voice.

"There is a Kingdom of God, found in communion with the Father, through the Son, in the Holy Spirit. It is not removed from us but has come among us. It breaks forth in human lives and burns with spiritual fire in the sacraments of the Church. It heals the sick, raises the dead, casts out demons and gives freely what it has freely received. It knows no economy other than the fullness of God who causes the barren woman to be the joyful mother of children, who brings forth water in the desert and changes water into wine.

"Religion is not dead - only the false pretense of religion begotten in the delusion of the modern world."
 
Beyond Democrat and Republican, beyond "America First" or a "Change You Can Believe In" lies Christ, the Unchanging One, the EverPresent Love of the Father--the Source of Justice.

It is critical for those of us committed to building a Culture of Life to put First Things First. Political and cultural action are critical, but "unless the Lord builds the house, in vain do the builders labor" (Psalms 127:1). Everything we do must proceed from a foundation of prayer and union with Christ if we are to successfully incarnate God's Love and truly give of ourselves so that others might live.