Very appropriately for us in Canada, today is World Mission Sunday. Pope Francis has provided the theme: Baptized and Sent: The Church of Christ on Mission in the World. As faith filled Christians we are all responsible for living Christ’s Gospel in the world. The Pope says: “ This missionary mandate touches us personally: I am a mission, always; you are a mission, always; every baptized man and woman is a mission.” Tomorrow, election day, we have an opportunity to express, through our vote, our commitment to bring Christ to the world. As Christians our faith compels us to live our lives actively engaged with others, our community, our society. Canada has not escaped the growing wave, globally, of intolerance and protectionism, that scapegoats the vulnerable and disregards truth. We are inundated with messaging assuring us that we need less taxes and more dollars in our pockets. It’s increasingly hard to sift through mudslinging, rhetoric, and outright falsehood to be able to make a wise discerning choice.

Happily we have our faith community to keep us grounded.

We vote for good leadership for our collective—for our communities of people. As we’ve seen with the idea of Ubuntu: “I am, because we are.” And so we can remember that without taxes we cannot have healthcare and social services and public education and parks and all the aspects of Canada that make it such a good place to be. How often have we watched politicians, who say they value life, cut back services that support the single mothers who struggle with their children? As we vote let’s think of our theology of icons that reminds us we are, and all creation is, transformed through God’s humanity in Christ. Who of our candidates will honestly act to preserve our environment, to respect all people, not just income generators?

As we cast our vote, let’s remember that Christ was born homeless, in poverty, displaced. Who of our candidates will support and welcome immigrants and refugees?

It is a privilege and responsibility to vote.

May we cast our ballots with care, pride, and love for all humanity.