Most people would say we are living through one of the most difficult times in human history. Even though we have advancements that would appear to indicate we are a superior society, it is our civil, moral and social maturity that signifies our true advancement as human beings. In other words, how we treat each other is the real indicator of how well-developed we are as human beings.
I have a major in teaching and a minor in history, with which I taught ancient history and eventually Church History at a Catholic middle and high school. As I prepared my lessons each year, I tried to step back and observe the plans I was teaching with a wider lens. What I observed was that there have been major changes in human history roughly every 500 years.
In 476 A.D., the Roman Empire fell, which led to the Dark Ages in Europe. The centuries of desolate human survival were incomprehensible and presented a significant change from the Roman domination and advancement under which the empire had previously lived.
The next significant change came in 1054 A.D. with the schism between the East and West Catholic churches. The distance between them prevented the churches from adequately communicating with each other, causing them to evolve separately in their theology, contributing to the split between them.
Then in 1517, Martin Luther nailed his theses to the church door of Wittenberg, declaring his issue with the Church offering indulgences to Catholics to get into heaven if they died in a state of sin. This led to the Reformation and the split between the Catholic Church and the many denominations that followed the rebellion of the Lutheran Church.
What can be gleaned from these previous major changes in human history is that humanity survived. We also know there were people of great courage and virtue who lived during each of these previous eras. These people understood our Christian faith, lived consistently according to its teachings and received guidance from these teachings. They had the Scriptures; the teachings of the popes, the councils, the catechisms; as well as the lives of the saints, whose holy examples inspired them to live courageously.
We are now in 2024, and we are experiencing significant turbulence in our world, including deadly wars, the development of AI and the technology evolution that is transpiring directly in front of us, and an election next month that will likely determine the direction we take as a country, perhaps for decades to come. This is not an easy time in which to live.
And if we are looking for an easy way, we are not going to find it now. The time in which we are living is requiring us to understand who we are as Catholics and to live according to our values. We must study and align ourselves with the truth, so we are able to stand firmly for what we believe. This will require time and effort.
One area that requires such time and effort is in forming our consciences to vote according to our values as Catholics.
Action Strategies
- Do whatever you can to educate yourself about our faith and stand firmly for our Catholic values when you are challenged.
- Resist becoming entangled in any disagreements or arguments with your spouse surrounding the election. Pray and ask God to place his hand on our country at this pivotal moment in human history and upon your family for unity and peace.
Catholic married couples often share similar values and thus, often vote for similar candidates. However, when Catholic married couples disagree on political candidates, they must keep the peace in their homes when, or if, they vote for opposing platforms. Maintaining civility is essential for the health of the family.
If Catholic spouses differ politically, they can begin by attending Mass together and praying about the election. They can take time to read the Ten Commandments together and discuss what they believe God has directed his people to do since the time of Moses and the peoples’ wandering in the desert. If the couple differs on a key point, they should each civilly explain their belief. The spouses must continue to support and strive to understand the perspective of the other, regardless of their own political views. Finally, they can pray for each other to form their conscience and vote in a way that reveres life.
We must each embrace this time and understand that much is being asked of us and we must accept that we need to learn to think. We do have what this time requires of us. However, it may not be easy or comfortable, which has been a consistent principle of Catholicism since the beginning.
Soucheray is a licensed marriage and family therapist emeritus and a member of St. Ambrose in Woodbury.
