(Optional) Memorial of Saint Martin de Porres, religious
(Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 14:15-24)
Today, both the Feast of St. Martin de
Porres and Election Day, we wonder if there is something in common between the
two. Does the life of St. Martin inform
us of how to vote? What would St. Martin
make of the candidates now running for office?
In one sense Martin de Porres had nothing
to do with politics. By necessity, he
was apolitical. As an African American in a society ruled by Spanish colonists,
he would not be considered eligible to hold a public office or, as much as
there were elections, to vote. Yet he
might have made an excellent public servant because he cared so much about
people. He treated everyone well but
gave particular attention to the needy.
He probably would have found candidates who took time to talk with common
people as most worthy of public office.
But in the end, Martin would probably not
have given much attention to elections, much less lived and died over them. He spent long hours in prayer because he knew
that God is in control of creation. Instinctively,
he would have realized that legislators have limited capacity to effect
positive change. He would have prayed, “Thy kingdom come,” and then worked to
make that happen. He knew that it was his role, as it is for most of us, is to
help others with kinds words and charitable deeds.
