Spe Salvi (On Christian Hope)

Pope Benedict XVI's second encyclical, Spe Salvi, presents the Catholic faithful with teachings on the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity...what any reasonable person would agree are the fundamental basis of a moral Christian lifestyle. That is, unless you are a Democratic candidate running for President of the United States this year.

After watching last night's "debate" between Clinton and Obama, it appears that both of these candidates are more than willing to accuse President Bush of every trouble facing this country at present. To hear them prattle on about how this White House has caused all of these problems makes you wonder if they really have any willingness to tackle the really tough question facing this country...why are Americans becoming more violent and disconnected to each other? Why are we, as a country, so willing to accept the moral decay and depravity exhibited on our televisions and various media outlets every day and call it free speech and entertainment?

What will become of us if we allow either of these two into the Oval Office?

Mrs. Clinton has already showed us she has no stomach for holding people accountable. Remember when she did nothing to confront her husband's own public lies regarding his immoral behavior in the same Oval office? Can we expect her to set any kind of high moral example for Americans...especially our youth?

Mr. Obama doesn't seem to get it either. He talks a big game but he has not shown any leadership in this moral category either. He had his chance to condemn his preacher for inflammatory remarks, but instead he gave him a "pass" by saying he was like an old uncle who sometimes says things you don't agree with. Sorry, but that dog won't hunt either. The President of The United States must be willing to do what is hard and unpopular for the greater good.

Where is the talk of Hope? Where is the candidates' demand of acceptance of responsibility and accountability that is needed to be shouldered by all of the citizens of the USA to turn this country back into "One Nation, Under God..."?

As Benedict wrote in Spe Salvi, "man needs God; otherwise he remains without hope." We cannot be saved from ourselves by government or science, but only by unconditional, absolute love.

Jesus didn't ask us to like one another. He knew that, given our own tendencies towards personal preferences, it would be an absolute impossibility for us to all like each other. Even he didn't like the Pharisees. If he did, he would have been hanging out with them every opportunity he had. No, he didn't like them. He loved them; and that is exactly what he asks of each of us. Love one another. Look for the soul in each other and love them "as I have loved you".

Benedict said: "Man's great, true hope that holds firm in spite of all disappointments can only be God- God who has loved us and who continues to love us 'to the end', until all is accomplished".