Opening Prayer

Loving and gracious God, we remember that your plan for us is fullness of life, lived with love, justice and mercy.

Be with us and our whole nation this year as we work together in selecting political leaders at all levels of our society. 

Help us keep the Common Good before us.

Strengthen our gifts of wisdom, courage and respect  for the views of others. 

Deepen in us the willingness to act in solidarity with people who are economically poor, with people immigrating to our country and with women seeking fullness of life in society.

Help us to become people of peace and nonviolence. 

Help us to be persistent in testing political remedies against what they will do for people, to people, with people,

And what they will mean for the health of our Earth home.   

First Reading

In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation.  This obligation is rooted in our baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to bear Christian witness in all we do….  The Catholic call to faithful citizenship affirms the importance of political participation and insists that public service is a worthy vocation….  We are called to bring together our principles and our political choices, our values and our votes, to help build a better world.

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.  U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2007

Second Reading

You are the light of the world.  A city built on a hill cannot be hidden.  No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to God in heaven.

Reflection

“How can it be that even today there are still people dying of hunger?  Condemned to illiteracy?  Lacking the most basic medical care?  Without a roof over their heads?  Christians must learn to make their act of faith in Christ by discerning His voice in the cry for help that rises from this world of poverty.”

How will the votes I cast address the issues that confront us today: 

Poverty…Violence…Discrimination…Destruction of Earth…Immigration?

 
Prayers of the Faithful

 
Response:  Hear us, O God of Mercy 

For immigrants and refugees, that we may welcome and stand in solidarity with them:

For an end to war, violence and the use of weapons:

For an end to all discrimination and racism among us:

For true equality for women seeking fullness of life:

That we may reverence Earth and work toward the sustainability of life and toward universal recognition of the fundamental right to water:        

Loving and gracious God,

Help us to support one another in exercising our precious responsibilities as citizens in a representative democracy.

After the elections, strengthen us to continue to work with our leaders, seeking an ever more just society that acts in harmony and interdependence with all creation.

We ask this in the name of Jesus.

Amen.