Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1546997
48 OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2026 | DENVER CATHOLIC The typical advice for avoiding political burnout is to reduce your news intake, avoid conversations about heated topics and agree to disagree. These are all sound suggestions. But what if we approach this next election cycle dif- ferently? Can we use the impending elections as an opportunity to get closer to our families? I believe the answer is yes, but it will take an act of the will and sacrifice on our parts. • Set aside the need to teach, preach or change the other person's mind. Really, this is harder than it sounds. Can you truly let go of needing to change that person's mind? • Enter the discussion with the intention of under- standing the other per- son's point of view. You are not planning to share your own views unless asked. • Ask questions without judgment or sarcasm and check your tone. This is where I can easily create defensive- ness in the other person by having a judgmental tone. • If you need fallback questions, consider the who, what, when, where, why and how of local newspaper report- ers. Questions like "Why do you think that's the best solution to the given problem?" and "How would that change things if that program were implemented?" help us understand details rather than give opinions. • Can you see that person's point of view? If so, say that. "Okay, I see what you're saying," or "I can under- stand why you believe that." Acknowledging that you understand someone's rea- soning does not mean that you agree with it, nor does every moment of under- standing require an imme- diate rebuttal. Sometimes simply acknowledging the other person's point com- municates understanding and respect. Politics is very personal, and people can become emotionally attached to their party, candidate or political beliefs. When that happens, it can be difficult to listen openly when those beliefs are challenged. It takes effort to resist allow- ing our emotions to rule our political discussions. Remember all the team rivalries with the recent World Cup? People rooting for different teams sat in the same stadium or bar or on the same couch. Most fans started and ended those matches as family, friends or respected oppo- nents. The love of the sport brought them together. Politics can be like that, only we make it a lot less fun. Vilifying our family, friends and fellow citizens because they think or vote differently is not Christian. What if, during the upcoming elections, we let other people root for their own team and respect their ability to make up their own minds? What if we focus on conducting ourselves in ways that reflect our Christian values and stop criticizing and disparaging people who think or vote differently? God gave each of us freedom, and he desires that we use that freedom to choose what is good, true and beautiful. Respecting the freedom of others does not mean believ- ing every choice is equally good or true, nor does under- standing another person require us to abandon our own convictions. God gave each of us freedom, and he desires that we use that freedom to choose what is good, true and beautiful." OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2026 | DENVER CATHOLIC 48