I have spoken with a young man who has a degree in Political Science. He is also studying to be a priest. We had a discussion on the Kingdom of God and it was clear to me that he had fallen into a confusion concerning what exactly God's Kingdom is and has been.
This young man is believer in utopia, an optimist who thinks that the Kingdom of God is some sort of millenialistic paradise. This idea is actually a heresy, and as we talked, he began to see that he was looking towards politics as the solution to spiritual problems.
Too many priests and bishops see solutions to spiritual problems in terms of the material. For example, if the right politicians are voted in, everything will change. If certain bills and court decisions are rescinded, people would become more centered on God. And so on.
The opposite is true. Only the change of the heart can create material and political changes. Only the repentance of a nation can save a nation from self-destructing. Only proclaiming Christ as Lord of both History can history be changed.
Again, priorities cause one to work or not to work. And, to make the political realm one's entire focus is to forget that the Kingdom of God is at hand.
Too many Catholics believe that if poverty is eradicated there will no longer be sin.
Poverty does not cause sin. Concupiscence and choices against God cause sin.
Unemployment does not cause sin. Doubt and despair, which are spiritual realities for the person who lacks faith cause sin.
This attitude is a result of the infiltration of Liberation Theology in the Church, as this false teaching emphasizes the City of Man over the City of God and makes the Kingdom of God material. Christ becomes a material messiah, not a spiritual one.
Sin has nothing to do with government decisions on health care or taxes or immigration. Sin has everything to do with the corruption of the human heart.
Voting will not change the world, but spreading the Gospel message will.
This young man had a little epiphany and realized that he was looking for politics to do what only faith in Christ can do-purify the human and make one holy.
To be continued....