The book of Proverbs says, “Speak for those who have no voice, for the rights of the dispossessed” (Proverbs 31:8). The prophet Zechariah declared, “Dispense true justice, and show gracious love and compassion to each other” (Zechariah 7:9). St. Paul says to “do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14). And Jesus says, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). He also says to us in the Gospel for All-Saints Day, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
In our country, people say that it’s your right and responsibility to vote. But no law forces you to vote. You vote--or choose not to vote--by choice. Voting is an act of your will. It’s something you do, without compulsion, because you choose to do it.
From a Christian worldview, we see voting as a divine gift that allows us to think the way God thinks, to act the way He acts. Through voting, we can see others the way God sees them in His mercy. It’s a way to show mercy and compassion, in the way God shows mercy and compassion. As Scripture says, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36).
It’s easy to be selfish and greedy in the voter’s booth. Most people vote that way. People cast their votes based on what they think will be best for them or their families. Which candidate will preserve and protect my social security income? Which candidate promises me the most tax cuts, or the most health-care benefits, or the best chance for a better income? Which candidate will do the best job in helping me get what I want?
When you vote that way--for yourself at the expense of others--you sin against God and your neighbor. You violate the Christian faith. You violate who you are, as one brought into Christ’s Church.
God’s says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit. Rather, in humility value others as more important than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). That’s in the Bible? Yes it is! So is this: “Speak for those who have no voice, for the rights of the dispossessed” (Proverbs 31:8). “Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14). “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36).
Voting is a chance to be God’s secret agent in this world. It allows you to think the way God thinks and to act the way He acts. It’s a way to see others the way God sees them in His mercy. Voting is a way to show mercy and compassion the way God shows mercy and compassion.
How does God your heavenly Father think of you? The Psalms say, “As a father has compassion on His children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He knows how we were formed; He remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:13-14).
How has God, your heavenly Father, acted for you? Scripture says, “But when the time finally came, God sent His Son, born by a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law that we might be adopted as His sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).
How does God view other people? Hear what the Apostle Paul says, “[God said] to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion’” (Romans 9:15).
Your heavenly Father gained no advantage from you by sacrificing His Son--neither did Jesus. Out of love, Jesus took on human flesh, not for His benefit, but for yours. The prospect of personal gain was not His motivation; no, it was His love and mercy. You now have God’s gift of life solely because of His compassion toward you.
It’s time to stop being selfish and greedy in your voting. Repent! Be like God; vote mercifully. Vote without worrying about what you might gain or lose. Cast your votes by asking--not how your vote will help you--but how your vote will help your neighbor and your country. Show compassion for those who can never pay you back for what you do. As the book of Proverbs puts it, “Speak for those who have no voice, for the rights of the dispossessed” (Proverbs 31:8).
I can give you many examples of this, but this night, I’ll only give you one. Before you vote for someone who supports the sin of abortion, think first about God’s mercy and compassion. Use your vote to help bring about what may not personally profit you. For most of you, abortion doesn’t directly affect you. But it does affect your neighbor; it does affect who may live and who may die. That’s important!
Use your ballot to treat people the way your heavenly Father has treated you: selflessly, sacrificially, and compassionately. “Dispense true justice, and show gracious love and compassion to each other” (Zechariah 7:9). “Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14). “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36).
The Gospel reading for yesterday had these words: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Jesus wasn’t saying that you earn God’s mercy by first showing mercy to others. No, through compassion and mercy toward others--even when you vote--you get a clearer picture of the mercy God has first shown to you. It’s God’s gift of faith that enables you to act mercifully. It’s God’s gift of faith that sets you free from your self-absorption, all so you may act mercifully.
Dear saints of God: “Speak for those who have no voice, for the rights of the dispossessed” (Proverbs 31:8). “Dispense true justice [that is,] show gracious love and compassion to each other” (Zechariah 7:8) even when you act and vote in secret. “Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14), even when you vote. “Be merciful, as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). For great promises of God await the merciful: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Amen.
