The country is not the same as its institutions. As we celebrate the 248th anniversary of the founding of the United States this week, let us take the time to reflect on that distinction, for in a time of heightened political polarization, which has led to ever greater social tension, this distinction can help remind us of the loyalty we should have “to the communities [to which we are a] part and [show] respect to those in authority who have charge of the common good” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1880). Since we always have the responsibility to contribute to the right development and wellbeing of the country, this loyalty should also lead us to a renewed faith-inspired involvement in the politics of the country.
This country’s government is “of the people, by the people, for the people” (Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, November 19, 1863), which means government is at the service of the people. I like how Mark Twain articulated this:
"My kind of loyalty was loyalty to one's country, not to its institutions or its officeholders. The country is the real thing, the substantial thing, the eternal thing; it is the thing to watch over, and care for, and be loyal to; institutions are extraneous, they are its mere clothing, and clothing can wear out, become ragged, cease to be comfortable, cease to protect the body from winter, disease, and death "(A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court).
Now take this loyalty, enlighten it with the faith, and we get involved in politics for these reasons:
Grateful for our country, we express our loyalty to it by contributing to its good “in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom” (CCC, 2239). This necessarily involves collaborating with the civil authorities who have the responsibility for marshaling our efforts, yet are stewards; it is our “right, and at times [our] duty, to voice [our] just criticisms of that which seems harmful to the dignity of persons and to the good of the community” (CCC, 2238).
David J. Conrad
This country’s government is “of the people, by the people, for the people” (Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, November 19, 1863), which means government is at the service of the people. I like how Mark Twain articulated this:
"My kind of loyalty was loyalty to one's country, not to its institutions or its officeholders. The country is the real thing, the substantial thing, the eternal thing; it is the thing to watch over, and care for, and be loyal to; institutions are extraneous, they are its mere clothing, and clothing can wear out, become ragged, cease to be comfortable, cease to protect the body from winter, disease, and death "(A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court).
Now take this loyalty, enlighten it with the faith, and we get involved in politics for these reasons:
- Politics has a moral dimension. Being a human activity, politics may hurt or help people and thus lead to grace or sin.
- The Gospel calls the Church and her members to political involvement, for the Gospel message is to be proclaimed to all creation (cf. Matthew 28:19). That includes the political order.
- The Church is the vehicle of an integral salvation, which means Jesus wants to save the whole human person, body and soul. Integral salvation is the salvation of the total person: spiritual and temporal. This is why Jesus not only forgave sins but also healed people of physical sickness. The Church must likewise bring the healing grace of salvation to the temporal, which includes the political sphere.
Grateful for our country, we express our loyalty to it by contributing to its good “in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom” (CCC, 2239). This necessarily involves collaborating with the civil authorities who have the responsibility for marshaling our efforts, yet are stewards; it is our “right, and at times [our] duty, to voice [our] just criticisms of that which seems harmful to the dignity of persons and to the good of the community” (CCC, 2238).
David J. Conrad
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