From now until Nov. 3, Virginia voters have the opportunity and duty to vote on the three proposed constitutional amendments.
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge’s letter and Virginia Catholic Conference Executive Director Jeff Caruso’s article, “Virginia voters to consider three constitutional amendments,” go into detail on each of the proposed constitutional amendments. Please take a moment to read those.
So why consider reading another view?
Because we live in a culture and society of death — and this is a rare opportunity for the secular and religious bases of society to stop pivotal changes from occurring. It is important to note that this isn’t a political, politician or party choice to be made. It is far bigger than that. As Catholics, it is our duty to protect the vulnerable of our society. Any time there is a discussion regarding abortion, eugenics, the death penalty, etc., we must speak up. We must vote. God made each of us unique, ready to be a part of the Body of Christ. We all play an integral part in the grand design of life.
Many years ago, I was discerning my vocation, trying to find what God was calling me to. Growing up, I had seen both the vocation of marriage and the vocation of religious life. I elementarily grasped the magnitude of each, and the importance of God as the central focus for both. In what way would I, a tiny drop in the sea of souls, glorify God during my time here on earth? Through blatant signs from him (I don’t do well with subtlety), the vocation of marriage and family life was in my future. But when?
When is an incredibly tricky part. Especially in the Northern Virginia area, we thrive on our ability to constantly move and take control of a situation or even an idea. And for much of my life, that need to control everything affected me as well. But life has a way of showing us how little we actually control. Instead, we should focus on the eternal.
There are moments in time that have pivotal effects on us. And the memory of them isn’t linear in our minds. I’m reminded of that every time I go to a funeral. The most poignant for me was the funeral of my great aunt, Sister Magdala Winter, a School Sister of Notre Dame. There were the familial emotions of sadness and heartbreak in the end of her physical body. But at the same time, there was a kindling of hope and peace. For many years prior, she had spoken with great joy about her anticipated reunion with God.
The church is magnificent regarding “memento mori” (Latin for “remember your death”). Many saints have wonderful theological writings regarding this, as well as glimpses of heaven, purgatory and hell. How does this all go hand and hand?
Children matter and are a part of many people’s vocations. After meeting my now husband in 2014, we got married in 2016 and have three children. The vocations that God calls each of us to are a big part of how we are in relation with God. And so much of it is surrendering and asking God for grace — for yourself, for your spouse, for your children. How we live our imperfect, grace-filled lives, echoes into every aspect of our day-to-day lives. The prayers we make, the thoughts we think, the conversations we have. All of it builds up.
As Catholic mothers, whether working inside or outside the home, we set the tone for our families. Home is the first place to show the love that God shows us each and every day. Children can see the love between father and mother and how those primary caregivers love and cherish them. We cannot have motherhood without fatherhood, to be clear. Something that my husband and I always remind our children is that “we live in community” and “you can do the hard thing.” Honestly, it’s something we have to remind ourselves through difficulties and hardships especially.
We cannot and should not assume the interior workings of others. But there is great darkness that has grown in the hearts and minds of many. An emptiness. It shows up in how many people responded to the victory of the end of Roe v. Wade. And while living in a society that is pro-abortion and celebrates a woman’s “right to choose,” how can we be surprised at the murder of innocent children outside of the womb? The truth of the matter is this: we must continue to see the humanity in all children. We cannot stand on the sidelines of life hoping that things will change. We must pray about it, offer up our sufferings and evangelize through our conversations and through our actions. We are all broken people, myself included, and there’s great beauty and relief in God’s mercy. Let us strive to live lives of gratitude and share the mercy and love of Christ. I’m voting “no” this election.
Martinez is a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Church in Alexandria.
Feast for the Son