In today’s gospel the mother of St James and St John cheekily asks Jesus for a couple of prime seats in his cabinet for her boys. He corrects her asking if they can share in his chalice of suffering.

The embarrassing event of James’ mother reminds me of all social climbing, ambitious, manipulative people. In this election year we’re surrounded by them: lickspittles, sycophants, hypocrites and obviously power seeking creeps. This is only to be expected among politicians, but what I find even more nauseating are the religious people who promote their preferred candidate as the Lord’s anointed–a shiny Messiah to save the USA, save us and save the world.

I suppose my deep seated antipathy towards politicians is part of the Mennonite in me. I just can’t get enthusiastic about any mainstream politician, so when the writers at America magazine–the mouthpiece of the lefty Jesuits– recently compared Joe Biden to John the Baptist (and by implication anointing Kamala Harris at the Messiah) I nearly lost my lunch. Not that I had much lunch left to lose as it wasn’t so long ago that the other side (citing his recent escape from assassination) proclaimed Trump as the Lord’s anointed savior.

I, for one, am glad that as a priest I am not supposed to speak publicly in support of any particular candidate or political party. On the one hand I think it is a dumb rule that clearly suppresses one’s right to freedom of speech. On the other hand, I’m grateful for it so I can mind my own business and try to block out all the political bro-ha-ha. I’ll speak on moral and ethical issues when the time and place are right, but otherwise I’m mum.

“Hang on Father!” Someone will say, “Didn’t you support the American Solidarity Party a while back?” Yep. I did, and I did so as a private citizen–not linking my support for ASP with my Catholic faith or telling people they had to support ASP because God is on their side.

In an election year all Christians should meditate on Psalm 136:3 “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.” It wouldn’t do us any harm to also remember today’s gospel where Jesus says the greatest is the one who serves. Politicians used to actually profess to be the servants of the people.

In saying that I’m not discouraging people from voting, but I advise folks to view all the hype and puffery with a skeptical eye. Study party platforms and vote with your Catholic conscience fully informed and your powers of discernment fully engaged.