I Voted. No big deal. Right?

Wrong. Very, very wrong. This was my reflection yesterday as I drove from Santa Clarita to West Covina - in traffic - after a full day of retreat with junior high kids. Any temptation not to make the drive there and back was very short lived.

I am honored and privileged to vote. Men and women have died to give me the opportunity while others throughout the world continue to die for the chance.

I am free. Voting peacefully is something so natural to me that I forget what it means. I forget that voting is one more way to express my Catholic faith. I forget that it is one more place to protect the best American values. I forget that it is one more area of battle for the most vulnerable. No, that's not true - I don't forget. That's why I vote - the same reasons I pray. Looking into the past, I'm convinced by fellow pilgrims that becoming holy, becoming a saint - means being a good citizen.

The Cristeros, St. Maximilian, Dorothy Day? They would have fought in the ballot box, so as not to have to fight in the streets. Citizens of two cities. Faithful to one King. Defenders of true, absolute Freedom.

See you at the Freedom Rally.