JMJ
The time to begin loving one another is now. At this point one is often inclined to say, “we must set aside differences and. . .,” but not I. I will say “set aside affectations. . .false differences. . .human constructs” for none of these are reality. Only God creates reality.
In this world, love, rather than being the necessity it is, seems a to be a luxury, a leisure activity, a virtuous pursuit, even a self-serving arrogance. Love is the water in which we swim. To fail to love is akin to holding ones breath. We must breathe or die. We must love or we shall surly parish.
So what am I saying? (a question more directed at me than the reader) Christians in the West seem, these days, less concerned with others than with their own personal interests. Catholics look more like Protestants who seem more interested in having “in God we trust” scribed on the dollar bill than the love of God inscribed on their heart. American Christians want “one nation under God” in their pledge, but have succeeded in creating one of the most Godless nations ever to besmirch the face of the Earth.
In God We Trust
I have been criticized for wanting to remove “in God we trust”from the dollar bill. I desired this not because I think God has no place in the public sphere, but because I think the notion of putting “God” on the dollar bill is a sacrilege worthy of Calvin himself! Jesus tells the scribes to render the coin which bore Caesar’s image unto Caesar as it is his. Placing “God” on the dollar bill is a trick worthy of the Devil. God’s image is inscribed on Man, not the dollar. In putting “God” on the dollar we symbolically elevate the dollar to the status of Man, God’s beloved creation. God never in printing currency declared, “it is good.” In fact, to my knowledge, God never printed currency and Jesus seldom, if ever, handled it Himself.
Now, it is in pursuit of this newly minted “creation,” Western Man ascribes the highest good, contrary to what God declared to be so. It is our measure of success. It is our measure of worth. Those who have accumulated vast quantities are considered wise, to be worthy instructors of all things from business to healthcare, from philosophy to religion, from working class labors to macro-economics. Money has given the wealthy the pulpit, People hush when they speak. People want to be pleasing to them, if not to share in their charity, then merely for their approval in the hope that “trickle-down economics” applies also to worldly glory.
One Nation under God
If God is on the dollar, and thus the dollar bears His “image,” what then does “one Nation under God” mean? The United States is a nation of money; of guns; of big cars, suvs and pick-up trucks. A nation of cell phones; giant tvs; excesses of more. A nation that seems to have gained the world and lost its soul. It mocks the poor calling them lazy, stupid, inept. It lauds the wealthy and celebrity. America has come to think of itself as a business, rather than a service. CEOs have convinced us they know the needs of the nation as an entity, but they care not at all or little for the needs of the nation’s people. These CEO are using the power of our government to prop up their business interests. The people bail them out of their investment scams when these houses of cards finally fall. Our soldiers die protecting American interest as though oil, raw materials, and expanding markets are of greater interest than the lives of our brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters who are slaughtered in the pursuit of the Almighty Dollar in whom we Trust as though it were God with whose named we have emblazoned it. These CEOs have gutted the founding principles of America so as to allow them to operate with out hindrance. Ideas, such as, liberty, justice, freedom for the everyday man have been bought up by the wealthy so that they alone monopolize these “inalienable” rights. America, like many corporations, are all style and no substance. America, as a concept, is little more than market hype. America is an every man for himself, “I got mine and I’ll get yours” culture, that butchers its babies, starves it children, executes its prisoners, and prays for its elderly to die a “peaceful” death–with help if necessary.
This people honoureth me with their lips: but their heart is far from me.
Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have not we prophesied in thy name, and cast out devils in thy name, and done many miracles in thy name? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.
A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us sinners. Pray for our conversion Lord so that all souls may go to Heaven.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us sinners.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, save us, we are your’s.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, pray that we be given the strength to live holy lives and to grow in goodness and grace.
Amen
(C) Copyright 7 September 2020
For Lourdes Sake 