Well, here it is. The week we have been waiting for, longing for, highly anticipating with fear and trepidation is finally here. It is the great Superbowl of political parties, and just a few days away is Election Day, a day to do our civic duty and cast our vote for the future of America. And once more, we were well-instructed and well-prepared. We know that once again, democracy itself hangs in the balance, and once again, this is the greatest and most important election of our lifetime. Will you let socialism win the day? Will you allow the fascists to control the most powerful country in the world? What will you do? This is not a time for half-measures, not a moment to sit it out. You need to do your part, cheer for your team, and put on the rally caps. This is the end of the line. There is no tomorrow.

Okay, perhaps it is not that dire, but it often feels that way, does it not? Today, our political landscape is shaped, in large part, by what is now known as identity politics. Identity politics views not only the voter but also the very structure of society through the lens of things such as ethnicity, race, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, social background, and social class. Your identity becomes the focal point, which is carefully curated and marketed too. African American men have a different political pitch than middle-class white women. The support of suburban Latinos is pursued differently than Asian boomers. It is far beyond Republican and Democrat, subdivided and specialized, focused, and intentional, the massive reality of political influence tries to categorize your identity. Instead of stirring and mingling the great American melting pot, it is stratified and weaponized.

Of course, the Church is not left out of this. After all, churches are powerful and influential voting blocks. On Fridays, I usually finish writing my sermon in a coffee shop downtown. Afterward, I like to go for a walk, usually down by Surfers Point and the pier. On my way back up the boardwalk the other day, I passed a couple wearing matching t-shirts emblazoned with an American flag and a prominent cross. The words on it said simply, “Jesus is my Savior… Trump is my President.” Then, a few days ago, across my newsfeed, I saw an ad for “Catholics for Kamala” merchandise; yet another identity to market towards, another unique quality pulled and stretched to get your vote. We often lament that everything in our day seems to be politicized, like our healthcare, our retirement, our sports, and, yes, even our churches. But why are we shocked anymore? If there is a dollar to be made, then there is power to be wielded. So, we rally against the enemy and defend our side against the other.

But it never ends. We are constantly encouraged to vote for representatives with no assurance they will actually represent us in the end. We are pitted against our neighbors, directed toward those we are supposed to hate and ridicule. This is why we watch out for foreign entanglements, for wars and rumors of wars. We try to decipher the propositions and distinguish between the titles placed on the ballot and the tangible impact they will have. In the end, it all seems like too much. In this great country, we have created a system which feels unbearable. More so, with all of the worry, the promises and fear-mongering that circle around us tend to overlook the actual people in our lives. We know neighbors who are struggling, those mired in sin and despair, those battling addiction, and those faced with the feeling of drowning in hopelessness. What do we do for them? Is their identity pitted against ours? Will the right candidate bring them hope and comfort?

But today, in this reality, we hear some of our Lord’s most cherished and beloved words. These statements are perfect for a life lived in the midst of identity politics. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” He does not say to become poor in spirit, humble and lower yourself, empty yourself out, and then God may bless you. No, Jesus proclaims what you are. He declares your identity. You are poor in spirit. As the prophet Isaiah might have said, “You are people of unclean lips, and you live among a people of unclean lips.” And the proclamation goes on. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Joy and confidence are found here! These words drip with hope and promise. Blessing after blessing is poured out from our Lord. And did you notice the tension built into it? The beginning and the end, the bookends, if you will, of the Beatitudes are in the present tense. Blessed are the poor in spirit, and blessed are those who are persecuted. Why? For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. The active rule and reign of our God, His dominion over you and your life is your reality right now. Not, it will be, it is! The other, those in the middle, move to the future tense. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” What is promised will happen. It is the hope of things to come. Yet, here and now, as you await that more glorious day, you are part of the Kingdom of Heaven. You are blessed by God.

So, into this world of ours, into this presidential election week, into this craze of identity politics, a new identity is given. It is one that pulls you above the fray. It stretches from this day to the glory of the new heavens and new earth. This identity is not tied to earthly power but to eternal hope and assurance. It is not swayed or controlled by votes or the movement of nations. This is the proclamation of the eternal Word of God Himself. God became flesh and dwelt among us. He made Himself subject to the Law’s condemnation to pay your sin debt. In Christ, you are redeemed. In Christ, you are heirs of eternal life. In Christ, you are the saints of God. And though the politics of our day can be a means to serve our neighbor, they have nothing to offer you before the gates of Paradise.

Today, we observe All Saints’ Day, and I cannot think of a better time to do so. On All Saints’ Day, we take a moment to remember those saints who have died in the faith. We remember, sometimes with tears, sometimes with hearts full of joy and thankfulness, sometimes longing, those various men and women who worshipped alongside us, who confessed the same hope and held to the same identity we hold. But to be called a “saint” and to be declared one who is blessed by God is not to just think back longingly, regarding what once was. No, All Saints’ Day is a day where we look forward, forward in the promises of Christ, forward to the more glorious day to come, the day of the resurrection of the dead, the day of that glorious reunion we all long for.

On that day, we will no longer care about political parties or presidential elections, for one identity will rise up, and all others will fade from memory. Therefore, do not forget who you are. As you engage our age and become invested in the candidates, remember what Christ has said about you. You are blessed. You are forgiven. You are heirs of eternal life, for yours is the Kingdom of Heaven.