Only Jesus can heal this fallen world

Since the inauguration of the new president I have noticed a huge uptick in political posts on social media, more political topics during shows on Catholic radio, and so many conversations with Catholic friends end up with politics. 
Now, I have no problem talking about politics. As Catholics we go to the Eucharist and then we are sent out on mission to build the Kingdom of God. Politics can be part of that, but let us be clear; only Jesus can heal this fallen world. Our proposed solution must always be Jesus. And the way we propose Jesus, and the way we make Him present is not politics. We propose Jesus and we make Him present by being transformed by His grace and forgiveness. When we are authentic and passionate disciples of Christ we change the world.
The danger of becoming too focused on politics is that we begin to think that we can bring peace, justice, truth, grace, etc., by good policies and politics. That never will do it. The early Church did not make political moves that brought about a peaceful empire that respected life and religious freedom. The early Church served Christ and loved Him, especially as He was manifested in the most vulnerable. This evident and overflowing love converted the people in the Roman Empire.
Now, I am not saying that caring about politics and seeking just policies is wrong; I am saying that it is not effective at changing hearts. Love Christ. Respect human life at all of its stages. If people begin to equate our political positions with our theology, then it becomes very easy for the Gospel and the Church to be dismissed as just another interest group with an agenda.
So please, my admonition to all of us, including myself, is to always preach Jesus, and Him crucified. This will be an absurdity to the Gentiles and a stumbling block to the Jews (see 1 Cor. 1:23). Paul reminds us a few verses later that, “the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” (1 Cor. 1:25)
— Pat Arensberg is the Director of the Office for Evangelization and Family Life. Email him at [email protected] 
For more information concerning the events of this office, visit us at mobilefaithformation.org