When Faith and Protest Conflict: A Writer’s Choice in Divided Times

When the calendar pits conscience against community, a writer wrestles with a choice — and finds his answer in the turning of the season.

Commentary and opinion from Contributing Author Chuck Small

It’s hard to believe.

12 months ago, I was spending my weekends canvassing neighborhoods, working phone banks and distributing literature about Election Day.

I was excited about Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, and I felt they would be the team to take America into an optimistic, post-Trump/COVID world.

Last November 5 shattered that illusion.

In the past 10 months since Inauguration Day, we’ve had to get used again to daily tabloid-style government and a president who seems barely able to cobble a coherent sentence, even as he rails about the cognitive deficiencies of his predecessor.

All the while, the mechanics of autocracy and white supremacy:

From a docile, Republican-led Congress…

To a spineless Supreme Court…

…have brought the horrific promise of Project 2025 to sad reality.

So, this mid-October weekend, I face a really difficult decision on where to be.

Even though – when I think about the millions worried about imprisonment, deportation, economic devastation and threats to health, world peace and the environment – the decision becomes evident. My parish, the Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi, sponsors annual convocations.

A keynote guest speaker kicks off the day, followed by lunch and shorter sessions led by staffers and parishioners.

I always enjoy this opportunity to be nurtured in my faith. To take time away from the routines of the world and reflect on where God is calling us all. In the past, I’ve even led tours of the grounds as a session option.

Sadly, this year, I feel called to be elsewhere.

Several weeks back, I’d heard that the next No Kings protest of our current administration was scheduled for October 18:

The same day as the Franciscan Convocation.

I’d hoped I could attend both. But the times turned out to be concurrent.

I’ve struggled with this conflict.

There have been previous protests – this will be my third this year – and there will be more. And what I would hear at the convocation would strengthen my spirit for the road ahead.

After all, we have three more years of this craziness (assuming 45/47 doesn’t try to illegally take the choice out of our hands for the 2028 election).

But: The recent situations; not only the escalation of ICE crackdowns on immigrants …

• But also the unwarranted deployments of troops in American cities …
• The cynical use of a conservative critic’s murder to oust people who quoted his views in public forums …

• The attacks on free speech:

From universities to nighttime TV hosts:

Lawsuits against newspapers and TV networks …

The near-weekly capitulations by the Supreme Court to whatever it is the administration is seeking to do …

All of it is pushing me toward another day of protest on Saturday.

I will think of my friends at the convocation even as I take part in a different gathering across town.

I feel confident they’ll be thinking of me and other absent friends.

Later that night, I’ll go to Mass, not just to see an old friend returning for the convocation and celebrate his birthday, but also to put the day’s events in perspective.

I’ll miss Franciscan friar Kenneth Paulli’s address, “Journey Toward the Heart of God: God Is Good, All the Time … All the Time, God is Good!”

The phrase, used traditionally in African and African American communities, references the consistency of God’s love, even in the most difficult of times. 

It’s a fitting thought for reflection. It’s hard to imagine times getting more difficult, although I know it’s possible.

At least one hymn uses this phrase. Maybe I can download it to listen to as I take my place at the No Kings protest.

I’ll also keep in mind the Byrds’ chart-topping recording of Pete Seeger’s tune that references the Hebrew scripture Ecclesiastes:

To everything, turn, turn, turn
There is a season, turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it’s not too late

My heart will be in two places.

My feet can only be in one.