Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: May 01, 2016
There’s an increased buzz of activity downtown these days, for once again the legislature of the State is in session in the Capitol building just four blocks away. Sure, there’s always some hustle-and-bustle around the various State and private office buildings every workday, given the thousands of people who work in them. But when the legislature is meeting our State Senators, Representatives, their staff-members, and the army of lobbyists add a noticeable number of people to the streets and restaurants downtown. This will continue for about another week: the regular session’s adjournment is set for no later than 6 pm on Monday, June 6.
And yes, in case you’re wondering, this also means a few more people at the Cathedral. Governor John Bel Edwards and a significant number of our State legislators are Catholic, and some even try to attend our daily noontime Mass or stop by for a prayerful visit to the Blessed Sacrament. I’m not sure if they’re mostly seeking God’s grace or just some peace and quiet, but we try to ensure that both of these great gifts are available here in abundance!
Please pray for those responsible for our laws. We need their concerted efforts to advance God’s values within the public square, and not just their interested good will. While being in Louisiana brings us challenges, for sure – there’s simply not enough money or political willpower to fix our crowded, crumbling roads, poor educational system, disappearing coastline – there is one good thing. We are fortunate here that a larger number of our fellow citizens than elsewhere think it’s a good idea to look to God for guidance. After all, He is smarter than we are!
You know, in a pluralistic secular society such as ours, some people feel that religious ideas and values have no place in shaping or even influencing public policy and action. If they do grudgingly admit that people ought to remain free to believe, they still over-individualize this notion: they want license to do or think whatever they wish.
The Church respectfully but strongly disagrees: rather than abandon the individual person to unguided whim and lonely, likely error, the Church holds up “the common good” as the much more lofty goal for governments and society. Religion and those informed by faith ought to – in fact have a duty to – inform and persuade our leaders to make this bonum publicum the touchstone of all their decisions. Our history – sometimes painfully – has brought us to the realization that this is always the right course.
Please pray for our legislators, especially the Catholics among them, and all who work with them to protect human life, promote real justice for all, and advance our society and thus its self-perfection in God. It’s not easy to discern the best course for society, given the complexity of the world today. Even when issues are clear, it’s an almost-impossible challenge to find the money or win a vote. The women and men who care enough to represent us by doing the right thing in their legislative role deserve our respect and support, even as I’m sure they’re gaining abundant blessings from God.
In closing, don’t forget that next weekend in North America is Mother’s Day. Let’s make sure our gratitude to and affection for our moms, whether they are still with us or rest in the Lord’s peace, doesn’t remain just sentimental!
In the Risen Lord,
