Can I vote for an ‘immoral’ candidate?

 “Padre, pwede ba ko moboto sa usa ka kandidato nga pabor sa death penalty, same-sex union o kaha sa abortion?”

When I was asked this question a few months ago, and other questions similar to it, I could not hide the wrinkles on my forehead, as I was groping for an appropriate answer.

My answer that time was along the line of clarifying one’s fundamental motive for choosing a candidate. I was also emphasizing on the distinction between the “morality of one’s act of choosing” and the “morality of the chosen one’s life” (the candidate’s moral life).

Recently, I came across with a copy of a memorandum sent by Cardinal Ratzinger to Cardinal McCarrick in July 2004 that could somehow substantiate and clarify my explanation. Cardinal Ratzinger’s memo explains the guiding principles on the worthiness of receiving Holy Communion. A Nota Bene (N.B.) that follows the Six General Principles says:

A Catholic would be guilty of formal cooperation in evil, and so unworthy to present himself for Holy Communion, if he were to deliberately vote for a candidate precisely because of the candidate’s permissive stand on abortion and/or euthanasia. When a Catholic does not share a candidate’s stand in favor of abortion and/or euthanasia, but votes for that candidate for other reasons, it is considered remote material cooperation, which can be permitted in the presence of proportionate reasons.

Clearly, when a Catholic deliberately votes for a candidate precisely because such political aspirant favors abortion/or euthanasia, he/she formally cooperates with evil. “Formal cooperation takes place whenever one takes part in the immoral action of another, while at the same time adopting the evil intention of his associate” (Fr. Stephen F. Torraco, EWTN Q&A, 02-27-2002). Voting for a candidate because of his favorable stand on abortion or euthanasia is formally taking part in this immoral action.

St. Pope John Paul II, in his Encyclical Letter Evangelium vitae clearly states:

Christians, like all people of good will, are called upon under grave obligation of conscience not to cooperate formally in practices which, even if permitted by civil legislation, are contrary to God’s law. Indeed, from the moral standpoint, it is never licit to cooperate formally in evil… This cooperation can never be justified either by invoking respect for the freedom of others or by appealing to the fact that civil law permits it or requires it” (EV, 74).

Now, what if I vote for that candidate not for his/her anti-life stance, but for other reasons? “It is considered remote material cooperation”. Remote material cooperation is a mediate (not actually or intentionally taking part in the act) cooperation by simply “supplying the occasion or material for the commission of a morally wrong action, but is further removed from the immoral act itself” (Fr. Stephen F. Torraco, EWTN Q&A, 02-27-2002). It is permissible under proportionate reasons.

Notice, however, that the foregoing discussion is so focused on abortion and euthanasia. Death penalty (and, I think, same-sex union) is not of the same moral weight because, as Cardinal Ratzinger points out, “Not all moral issues have the same moral weight as abortion and euthanasia.”

For example, if a Catholic were to be at odds with the Holy Father on the application of capital punishment (death penalty) or on the decision to wage war, he would not for that reason be considered unworthy to present himself to receive Holy Communion. While the Church exhorts civil authorities to seek peace, not war, and to exercise discretion and mercy in imposing punishment on criminals, it may still be permissible to take up arms to repel an aggressor or to have recourse to capital punishment. There may be a legitimate diversity of opinion even among Catholics about waging war and applying the death penalty, but not however with regard to abortion and euthanasia (Principle No. 3).

It goes without saying that though death penalty and same-sex union may not have the same moral weight (gravity) as abortion and euthanasia, to vote for candidates precisely because of their favorable stance on these issues still is formal cooperation with evil, hence, sinful. But a Catholic may vote for these candidates, “for other reasons”, that is, for reasons other than their anti-life stance, for it is considered only as remote material cooperation with evil.

The bottom line is: when you vote for a candidate, know first his/her moral stance on certain issues. Never vote for a candidate on account of his/her favorable stance on immoral issues (abortion, euthanasia, death penalty, same-sex union, divorce, etc.). Rather, your intention in voting for him/her should be his morally acceptable stance on other issues.

Vote for a candidate NOT because of his/her immoral stance, BUT because of the good which you believe he/she can do to the country.

Cogito * 24 April 2016

No to vote buying

 “Padre, makasala ba gihapon ko kung modawat lang ko ug suhol sa kandidato apan dili ko muboto niya?”

 The question is so timely given that this year’s election is just around the corner. When I was asked this question last Monday, I could not help but share here my answer to the query; thereby breaking my years of silence in this column.

 Many believe that political candidates who would buy votes this coming elections can be taught a good lesson if we just take their “offer” of cash or kind but do not actually vote for them. Beware! This is also tricky!

 Firstly, when you accept the “offer”, you condone vote buying. You reinforce the candidate’s corrupt mentality that Filipino voters can be bought. Instead of eradicating this evil, you breathe life into it.

 By accepting the “offer”, you also contribute to the promotion of the culture of corruption. Why would candidates buy votes if they cannot get a return of their investment a hundredfold? And how would they do that? Through corruption.

 Do you sin by accepting the “offer”? Yes, because you cooperate with the evil of vote buying and corruption by contributing to it. But what if you don’t actually vote for that candidate? Worst! It brings us to the second point.

 Even your good intention of teaching that corrupt candidate a lesson by not voting for him doesn’t justify your act of condoning vote buying. Instead, you simply and actually promote another evil.

 Accepting the “payment” and not giving the exact merchandise is just like selling double-dead meat. It’s an injustice. It’s called dishonesty, which is as shameful as vote buying and corruption.

 Exposing them to radiation therapy kills cancer cells.  Alternative medicine also suggests depriving them of their natural diet.  In fighting against the cancer cells of vote buying and corruption, I think we need to employ both strategies.

 If we really want to eradicate the evil of vote buying and corruption, we need to expose them, then, reject them. Or, vice versa!

Cogito, 12 April 2016

“Happy lang, walang ending”

HOMILY

33^rd Sunday in O. T.

I’m sure you are familiar with that advertisement which says: “Happy lang, walang ending”. Of course, you would think, that statement is nothing more than just a cliché. And you may be right! But I guess this statement also embodies one of our greatest longings: the longing for eternity, for a life of happiness without end.

Nothing is wrong with this longing for eternity. It is perfectly natural. It simply shows what we are made for. As St. Augustine puts it: “You have made us, O Lord, for Yourself; and our heart is restless until it rests in You”. In God, lahat happy lang, walang ending!

On this second to the last Sunday in Ordinary Time, our liturgy gives us a glimpse of the possibility of attaining eternal life without end. Endless happiness with God is possible. However, as our readings reveal to us today, eternal happiness requires, first of all, the end of everything that is temporal and worldly. Time has to end first, then, comes eternity.

In the First Reading, the prophet Daniel describes the time of the end. He said: “there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; … Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.”

A similar scene we can find in the words of our Lord in the Gospel: “In those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.” It is a very frightening sight to behold!

However, the Lord also added that people “will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.”

The end of time is inevitable. We know by experience that everything in this world has an end. Perhaps, this is the reason why many people today do not believe anymore in “forever”. Wala raw “forever” dahil lahat may “ending”.

The end of time has to occur in order for eternity, the “forever”, to take place. This is also a great lesson of life: if you want a new beginning, there has to be an end to the old ways of life. Oftentimes, the end is frightening. But the more horrifying is the end, the sweeter and more exciting is the new beginning!

Never fear the end of time. Instead, hope for eternity. When Jesus gives His disciples a glimpse of the end of the world, it was not to frighten them; it was rather to inspire them – and us today – to aspire for a world that does not end. Whenever we are reminded that everything in this world ends, it is to inspire us to look for things that endure.

Do not allow yourselves to be caught up by passing possessions, by fleeting pleasures and by treasures that corrode. Rather, aspire more for things that are heavenly, for enduring possessions, for incorruptible treasures. Now you know that the world will soon end, begin to long for heaven.

But Jesus also said: “But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” Perhaps, the reason why God did not reveal the exact date of the end of time is to keep us always excited and yearning for heaven.  It does not matter when; what matters is that heaven awaits us. Hence, let us fix our attention to that truth.

The Second Reading tells us that, even though the end of the world will surely come, we must always fix our eyes on Jesus, Who is now “seated at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet.” Hence, do not pay attention to that horrifying scene of  “darkened sun and moon” and of “falling stars”. Rather, fix your gaze on “the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” Do not focus more on the fact that the world will surely end; rather, fix your eyes on the truth that Jesus will surely come!

Brothers and sisters, in a personal way, what our Lord is saying to each of us is this: whenever everything seems to end for you, never mind the ending, just focus your attention on Jesus. He is telling you and me: “when you see these things happening,” -- when life and your world seem to end – “recognize that He is near, right at your door.”

If Jesus is truly with you, dapat happy lang, walang ending!

May forever kaya? Mary Answers

Homily * Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady

Totoo nga kayang may forever? This question became a trending among young people especially with the telenovela “Forevermore”. But what do you think? May forever nga kaya?

The question is relevant to our reflection today, the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady into heaven in body and soul. Our answer to this question will help us appreciate the relevance of our Lady’s Assumption in our lives. If there is a “forever”, then Assumption is relevant to us. If Mary is assumed to heaven, then, there must be a “forever”.

If there is a “forever”, then faithfulness is possible. Husbands and wives will try to remain faithful to each other if they both believe in “forever”. If politicians don’t believe in “forever”, we will never get rid of corruption and selfish interests. If there’s no “forever”, paano na kaming mga pari at mga religioso? We left everything for the sake of “forever”. If there’s no “forever”, young lovers will never believe in real and authentic commitment in life. Would you truly and honestly say to your beloved “ITALY” (that is, I Trust And Love You) forever, if you believe that “forever” does not exist? ‘Pag ‘di ka naniniwala na may “forever”, marahil ang love song mo ay “It Might Be You”.

In the mystery of the Assumption, the Blessed Virgin Mary has confirmed to herself, and to us today, the truth that “forever” exists. She finally experienced everlasting life with God. In her, the words of St. Paul in the Second Reading took place: “That which is mortal clothes itself with immortality… death is swallowed up in victory”. But do you know why Mary experienced the “forever”? Because she was faithful to God and to the mission that God asked her to do. Mary was assumed into heaven, into the communion forever with God, because she was faithful.

How was she faithful? First, she bore Jesus in her womb. Second, but more importantly, she listened to God’s will and followed it. In this way, Mary shows us today the secret of finding the “forever”: bearing Jesus in our lives and following God’s will.

Bearing Jesus in our life. In the First Reading, we heard how David brought the Ark of the Covenant to the place he had prepared for it. According to the Letter to the Hebrews, “This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had flowered, and the stone tablets of the covenant” (9:4). These three things inside the Ark of the Covenant point out to Jesus. We know that manna is the bread from heaven. But Jesus Himself is the real Bread from heaven. The stone tablets contain the Law of God. And Aaron’s staff that flowered signifies that he was the chosen leader or prophet of God. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.

But Mary is the true Ark of the Covenant because she did not only bear the holy things that point out to Jesus: She carried in her womb Jesus Himself. Indeed, in our Catholic tradition, especially in the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Blessed Mother is called “Ark of the Covenant”.

We, Catholics, are also called to be bearers of Christ – to be “Christopher”. Our greatest challenge is to manifest the presence of Jesus in our lives. Let us strive to let Jesus shine and be seen in the way we think, in our conversations, in our dealings with everyone, in our work and relaxation, in our choice of entertainment, in our decisions.

Yet, when we strive to be authentically Christians, true followers of Christ, we must embrace the whole of Christ, including all His teachings and His mentality. We cannot afford to be like “cafeteria Christians”, who just choose to accept those teachings of Christ that will fit our taste, our comfort and our preferences.

St. Josemaria said: “How I wish your bearing and conversation were such that, on seeing or hearing you, people would say: This man reads the life of Jesus Christ” (The Way, 2). He added: “Set aflame all the ways of the earth with the fire of Christ that you bear in your heart” (The Way, 1). True Christians must bear Christ in their hearts; authentic disciples of Christ strive to manifest Christ in their lives. Like Mary, true Christians must also become “Arks of the Covenant”.

Doing God´s will. In the Gospel, a woman cried out: “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” But Jesus responded: “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” Jesus did not downgrade the “womb that carried Him” – His Mother. Instead, He raised Her dignity to the highest level by emphasizing her faithfulness and obedience to God’s will. St. Augustine said: “Mary was rather blessed by receiving the faith of Christ than by conceiving the flesh of Christ.”

Saint Pope John Paul II called Mary as “the Model of Discipleship for the Third Christian Millennium”. She is our Model of Discipleship because she is the Model of Faithfulness. Discipleship requires faithfulness. In an era like ours, that is full of doubts about whether commitment or faithfulness is still possible, the Catholic Church presents Mary as a proof that “Yes, faithfulness is possible because forever exists”. To do God’s will, like Mary, is our highest dignity as Christians.

If you think that commitment is just a piece of paper, look at Mary. If you think that faithfulness is just found in the dictionary, imitate Mary. If you think that “forever” is true only in telenovelas, then, stop watching telenovelas and start praying to the Blessed Virgin. Ask her for the gift of faithfulness.

Let us ask the help of our Lady of Assumption, that we may strive to be bearers of Christ and to manifest Jesus in our lives. Like Mary, may we also learn to listen to God’s will and follow it in our lives. Let us implore Mary’s intercession, so that we, too, may experience our own “Assumption into heaven” and discover that “talagang may forever”. AMEN.