Dear Parishioners,
     The story of the Prodigal Son that is found in the Gospel of Luke is one of my personal favorites.  I can relate to both sons, the one who runs off and splurges on himself and the one who remains faithfully committed to his father.  The father in this story remains faithful and loving and fair to both of his sons.  He is pressured to meet the immediate demands of the younger son and very frankly tells his older son that everything he has will be his when he passes away.   Just like our heavenly Father who loves us all equally, we can often find ourselves acting like the younger son, demanding our inheritance now.  We can also find ourselves acting like the older son, resentful of the fact that the younger son has been given another chance.  The Gospel of Luke provides hope to those who might find themselves on either side of this story. Jesus speaks clearly to both the rich and the poor, to two brothers who were at one time equal but now find themselves on opposite sides.  Jesus is providing clear instruction about values that one must have to enter into the Kingdom of God: love, mercy, justice and generosity. There is such familiarity for all of us when we place ourselves within this story.  For me, at this stage in my life, I find myself sometimes acting like the entitled older brother.  The inheritance is mine and I have earned the right to live as I choose, not willing to realize that my attitude is only causing further division.  Is this the reason why we find ourselves in constant conflict?  Why no one can seem to agree on anything? 
      Despite the division that we see and experience every day, we as Catholic Christians have a responsibility to form our consciences based on what we see and experience within the doors of our own faith communities. That is the whole purpose behind church.  We must take Jesus’ command to love our neighbors as much (or more) than we love ourselves.  We must be merciful just as God is merciful to us.  We must recognize that every human being, created in God’s own image, is worthy of dignity and respect.   And we must be good stewards of God’s creation.
      The Gospel of Luke provides constant reminders about the importance of prayer.  He depicts Jesus as someone who is constantly praying or teaching his disciples how to pray.  Jesus often finds it beneficial to get away from the crowds in order to spend time communicating with God.  Any time that Jesus is preparing to encounter conflict or face crucial moments, you will notice the emphasis on Jesus' need to pray. I challenge my fellow parishioners to follow the example Jesus has given us, take the time to pray.  Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in your decision as you exercise your right to vote in this election.  Based on your prayer and your relationship with Jesus, trust that He will guide you and help you to choose what is best.  The most important thing to remember, as a responsible citizen, is that it is ultimately your duty to go to the polls and cast your vote. 
May the peace of Christ provide you with comfort during these unsettling times.
Cynthia Quintanilla
Executive Director, Catholic Charities Diocese of Lubbock
“If we don’t continually resort to prayer, all our other ways will be of no use at all to us, and we’ll be overcome.” St. John Vianney