For over half a century, I have stood beside or sat across from good, decent, well-meaning people struggling with broken marriages, fractured families, workplace conflicts, and personal disappointments.

As a priest and counselor for 57 years, I have listened to their frustrations, fears, and heartbreaks. But increasingly, I hear something even more troubling: a growing sense of helplessness about the direction of our communities, our states, and our nation.

People are angry. They are exhausted. They are frightened about the future. They are sick of the division, dishonesty, hatred, and endless political warfare.

And yet, election after election, many of us return to the voting booth and do exactly what we have always done.

We vote for the same people, the same parties, the same political behavior. Then we wonder why nothing changes.

How can we keep voting for division and expect unity? How can we reward dishonesty and expect integrity? How can we tolerate cruelty and expect compassion?

Something is terribly wrong with that picture.

Jesus once asked a penetrating question: “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46)

Jesus could ask you and me the same question today.

We cannot claim to follow Jesus on Sunday and then forget His teachings when making decisions that affect millions of our brothers and sisters.

Jesus never asked whether someone was a Republican or Democrat. He asked us to love our neighbors, care for the poor, welcome the stranger, defend human dignity, and become peacemakers.

No political party perfectly represents those teachings. No candidate is beyond criticism. And no Christian should surrender their conscience to political loyalty.

We need to SEE THE LIGHT.

In the Gospel, seeing the light often means conversion. It means recognizing that the road we have been traveling is taking us in the wrong direction.

And conversion requires more than good intentions.

It requires change.

We must have the courage to examine our political loyalties, question our assumptions, and refuse to excuse behavior that contradicts the values we profess.

We cannot keep choosing darkness and then praying for light.

As another election approaches, our most important question is not, “Which party will win?”

Our most important question is, “Will my choices help build the kind of world Jesus has asked me to create?”

Because faith without action is empty.

And prayer without the willingness to change can become little more than wishful thinking.

If we want a different America, we must first have the courage to become different Americans.

By Medard Laz

People are angry. They are exhausted. They are frightened about the future. They are sick of the division, dishonesty, hatred, and endless political warfare. Do YOU see and hear what I do?

Do YOU  think that prayer without the willingness to change can become little more than wishful thinking?

WHEN GOD WANTS YOU TO GROW, GOD MAKES YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE!