"Onward to the Next Election"
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August 31, 2023After all our efforts of knocking on hundreds of doors, passing out information on campuses, and holding signs in busy areas, the defeat of the August constitutional amendment was quite disheartening. This amendment would have raised the bar from a 50% vote to a 60% vote required for any amendments to be passed in Ohio. This would have greatly strengthened our effort to defeat the late-term abortion amendment up for a vote in our state this November 7th.
On election night, I was greatly encouraged realizing that God can still bring about a victory this fall even without the 60% amendment. Through a novena leading up the vote, I had prayed that this amendment would pass or- more importantly- that whatever is necessary to
defeat November's amendment would occur. My former co-worker, Ian Spencer, recently reminded me of Judges 7. The Israelite army led by Gideon was already up against an enemy with an innumerable army. Even against these odds, God cuts Gideon's army down from 32,000 men to just 300 men before the battle to show how they can only win by God's help. Maybe this is what God is doing for us. "Look you do not need a 60% vote. If you had that, you would think pridefully that you stopped the abortion amendment. I will show you that it can still be stopped at a 50% vote by My Grace. Trust in Me."
That night, I realized that even if the abortion amendment passes, we must simply fight on. How many decades and centuries have others fought injustices? How many years did St. Dominic and others fight against heresies with no success? I have selfishly wanted to defeat the abortion amendment because of how it would affect my work, not primarily out of love for the babies who would be killed and the souls who would be lost. I need to repent and rid myself of that selfish mindset. We must be faithful in our good deeds against evil, whether that evil is abolished during our time or not. We have hope not in this present world but in the new heaven and new earth after Jesus comes again, when all sin and injustice will be defeated. Until that time, Jesus has won by His Death and Resurrection new and eternal life for all who trust in Him. In that we rejoice! Praise be Jesus Christ, now and forever!
I also recently read a quote from a holy woman who wrote, "I can endure almost anything between two Masses!" Thank God for how true this is! I would even say that we can "endure anything" if we are open to that grace! While I was at Mass the day after the August election failed, I was even more consoled. It was the feast of St. Theresa Benedicta of the Cross, a convert and nun killed in the Holocaust. She faced death under evil laws that took innocent life. Then I was reminded of Sts. Peter and Paul and all the Apostles who were martyred. They lived and died under evil laws that allowed abortion and infanticide and even the killing of Christians. Yet, they bore great fruit and entered eternal life by being faithful to Christ. No matter what happens this year, however long abortion is legal, even to the end of our days, our duty is just to remain faithful. No matter what the law is, God will use us to bear fruit and rescue children, change hearts, and save souls. In all we must remember that Jesus has merited new life to all of us in His Church here on earth and a perfect eternity. That is His promise and our ultimate hope no matter what happens in the world around us! Thank you for standing with us! AMDG- For the greater glory of God!
