President-Elect Joe Biden

Reading on November 4: My beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work.

Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, as you hold on to the word of life, so that my boast for the day of Christ may be that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 

But, even if I am poured out as a libation upon the sacrificial service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with all of you. In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me. (Philippians 2:12-18)

It is November 7, four days after election day.  Are we blameless and innocent?  Are we grumbling and questioning?  Did our candidate win?  

Those who have been with fear and trembling now know their candidate, Joe Biden with running mate Kamala Harris, did not run in vain or labor in vain.  Those who supported President-Elect Biden now might say: “I rejoice and share my joy with all of you. In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me.”  Those who supported President Trump are disappointed, and understandably so.  Biden achieved 273 to win the election with a few other states yet to finalize their tallies.

We now will have an observant Catholic as our president.  There are many who might question if he is a “real” Catholic due to his stance on abortion.  I can only suggest the chagrined read his 2017 book Joe Biden: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Promise – Promise Me, Dad.  It provides a splendid measure of the man.  I also suggest the disappointed read the October America Magazine article “‘Faithful Citizenship’ and Political Homelessness: Lessons for the 2020 Election” by John Carr.  The author discusses abortion and other important issues for Catholic voters to consider.  

Carr concluded: “While I understand that others will come to different conclusions, my personal decision to support Vice President Biden is clear, but not without reservation.  To frame this argument in the words of ‘Faithful Citizenship,’ I believe Mr. Trump’s character, lack of integrity, and record on racism and Covid-19, among other matters, constitute ‘morally grave reasons’ to oppose his re-election.  I believe Mr. Biden has the ‘character [and] integrity’ to lead our nation and is more likely to pursue other authentic human goods.  I will vote for Mr. Biden for what he can do to help us recover and heal, lift up those left behind, ensure health care for all, and treat immigrants and refugees with respect.  I will not vote for him to support his position on abortion, but in spite of it.”  

Questioning Biden as to whether he is a “real” Catholic makes us wonder what makes each of us real, or not.  America Magazine executive editor Kerry Weber’s perspective is useful.  She wrote on February 2, 2018 “Real Catholics keep trying: Who are the 'real' Catholics – A Survey of Women Prompts Challenging Questions."

“If we believe in the power of baptism and in the grace it offers, there can be nothing but ‘real’ Catholics among those who have been claimed for Christ through this sacrament. No matter how far from the church one runs, it is impossible to opt out of the ‘indelible spiritual sign’ that baptism provides (Catechism #1274). Of course, our baptism starts us on our spiritual journey, but it does not mean we will be perfect travelers. 

In the light of baptism, real Catholics include those who have missed Mass for good reasons and bad, who are angry with the church, who are in love with the church, who have grown tired of the church, who cannot imagine themselves anywhere else. Real Catholics sing in their church choir, mumble through the Creed, barely remember their confirmation name, can sing the Ave Maria in Latin by heart, realize they remember nothing of a homily they just heard. Real Catholics are, quite simply, trying their best and sometimes—often—failing.” 

Are we really going to question the reality of fellow Catholics as to whether they are real?  If so, unreal!  

Deacon David Pierce