They made kings in Israel, but not by my authority;
they established princes, but without my approval.
When we try to run the secular sphere without reference to God it doesn't work. We become so convinced that our systems and philosophies of politics are correct that we don't even bother referring them to the more fundamental truths of our faith. This isn't a problem that affects only one political party. It is a human problem.
How long will they be unable to attain
innocence in Israel?
Like Israel, we must turn from false idols to the living God. When we don't test our political ideas against revelation we are setting up those ideas as idols. We serve these idols. As they themselves are less than human so too are we drawn down into lesser things.
They have hands but feel not;
they have feet but walk not.
Their makers shall be like them,
everyone that trusts in them.
Humans and family are no longer our greatest concern, but power and wealth instead. Lest we need to "return to Egypt" we must repent. This is not a license to critique anyone but ourselves. It is a reminder for each of us that we must not try to solve any of the worlds problems, great or small, without turning to the LORD for his wisdom and knowledge. We need to realize that in politics we aren't warring against the other party. We're warring together against the rulers of this present darkness that, assuredly, have strongholds in both parties.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (see Ephesians 6:12).
Jesus has the power to set free those who serve idols. Those whom demons have made mute he can make to speak again. Imagine political speech that actually means something, that isn't simply to appease donors and voting blocks. Jesus has the power to do this.
To many of a Catholic mindset it may seem too late to save our nation. Indeed other mindsets for their own reasons are inclined to despair as well. But as Catholics we know the problem. By faith we see the solution.
A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus,
and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke.
The crowds were amazed and said,
“Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
If it were really just a matter of humans and politics we might be done for. But it is darkness versus light and Jesus has already overcome the world. Let us learn to recognize good where we see it, on both sides of the political aisle, lest we become like Pharisees who said, "He drives out demons by the prince of demons."
We are asked to pray for more laborers for the harvest. These laborers, whether priests or politicians, sent by the LORD, are just what the world needs.
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