Author: Vernon Dobelmann

Thomas Paine holds a prominent position in the history of America.  His writings continue to inspire and motivate patriots in current times just as they did back in his day.  His eloquence captures the imaginations of historians and stirs the hearts of those who yearn for profound and powerful exhortations.  A person can easily contemplate the urgent need for some “Common Sense” today, and we may even relate more fully to “The Crisis” as it challenges us to reflect upon our own commitment to a life of service for God and country.

The first pamphlet of “The Crisis” was published on December 23, 1776.  The beginning of the opening paragraph provides an abundance of food for thought.  Thomas Paine wrote:

THESE are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value. 

Paine’s depiction of a “summer soldier” or “sunshine patriot” in the second sentence makes it evident that this is not going to be a warm and fuzzy document.  Using a persuasive appeal Paine utilizes ethics, emotion, and logic to captivate the attention of the reader in an attempt to move the individual into action.  Our society today is in desperate need of such a passionate plea.  Unfortunately, I believe many people in contemporary culture have a severely limited grasp of history, and even fewer embrace the philosophical and theological assertions so generally accepted two centuries ago.  Can a comparison be made today between tyranny and hell if there is no longer a belief in hell by a large segment of the population?

The words of Thomas Paine in this paragraph have the potential to ignite the flame of love in every Christian believer.  Some would say that it is harder and harder to be a faith-filled Christian in our secularized society.  Christians are being pushed further and further to the edges of society and are even being labeled as a hate group when they stand up for traditional family values.  I agree with Thomas Paine that we can take consolation in knowing that “the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”  The gift of faith is not something we should esteem too lightly.  Maybe the challenges we face as Christian believers will enhance the dearness of the gift of faith.

During the Advent season we have heard Scripture readings in which John the Baptist has been a prominent figure.  John the Baptist was the “voice” crying out in the wilderness.  One commentary stated that it is the role of the “voice” to awaken us, to startle us.  It is the role of the “Word” (Jesus Christ) to instruct us.  Have we been sufficiently awakened by the “voice” so we can hear the “Word” speak to us?  Has the passion and fire of John the Baptist exhorting us to bear good fruit as evidence of our repentance inspired us to holiness?  Thomas Paine effectively called people to patriotism; John the Baptist reminds us of our ultimate call to sanctity!

On December 18, 1947 Pope Pius XII issued an encyclical entitled, Optatissima Pax; (in English, On Prescribing Public Prayers for Social and World Peace.)  It is relatively short compared to many Vatican documents, numbering 12 paragraphs in all.  Obviously, much more could have been discussed regarding the hope for peace, but in this case, short and to the point was probably a notable approach.

It is a worthy endeavor for us to continue to pray for peace.  The logistics and mechanisms of war have changed through the decades, but the cry for peace amidst advanced weaponry reverberates to this day.  It seems we have struggled to find the key to lasting peace in our world.

In looking at the title of the encyclical letter, I was struck by three different components.  Public prayers, how are we doing in that regard today?  Is the only time we pray for peace publicly when a general intercession happens to appear in a Sunday liturgy?  Have people of faith allowed their freedom to be squelched to a point where public prayers for peace are almost non-existent outside of church walls?  Do we really believe that prayer is beneficial?

Since military conflict has been a constant staple of our consciousness, it may be difficult to even imagine world peace.  What would it be like to live in a world with not simply an absence of war, but a true and lasting peace?  How would that affect our travel times at the airport?  How would it affect our entrance into large auditoriums and stadiums for entertainment and athletic venues?  What would it do for our emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being?  Would it change the way we pray?  Have we simply given up on the possibility of ever experiencing world peace?

I pondered the words “social peace” for quite a while when I first read the encyclical.  What does social peace look like?  As we review all the social problems of modern society it is fairly easy to simply shake our heads in disbelief and give up trying to make things better.  In many ways the challenges seem beyond our ability to effectively make any significant progress in improving life’s dire situations.  What happens to our culture when we lose the theological virtue of hope?

I found it interesting that the pope would state the following in paragraph 5: “Factional strife ‘has been and will be to many nations a greater calamity than war itself, than famine or disease.’”  Wow!  Factional strife may be a greater calamity than war itself.  What have we not learned or achieved in the last 66 years in regard to this one line?  Factions continue to abound in modern times in our political life, our social life, our work life, and even in the life of the Church.  What calamitous results has our world experienced due to factional strife?

We are a week away from celebrating the great Solemnity of Christmas once again.  May our private and public prayers for peace be fervent and faithful!  May the incarnation of Christ the King fill our hearts with joy!  May the Prince of Peace transform our world!

As the president of Yale College (1778—1795), Ezra Stiles gave a major Election Address entitled, “The United States Elevated to Glory and Honor,” before the governor and the General Assembly of Connecticut in May 1783.  I can’t help but speculate about the reaction of the listeners when he said, “The United States are under peculiar obligations to become a holy people unto the Lord our God.”  

How would the elite of Yale University react to a statement like that if it were made today by their president or other high-ranking academic professor?  How would the General Assembly of Connecticut and its governor react if that statement were directed toward them today?  It sometimes amazes me just how far we have moved away from God as a country in just over 200 years.  The reality of the necessity of religious faith to guide us during the formative years of our country was evident.  It is repeated over and over again in numerous documents and inscribed in stone on many of our revered institutions.  Ezra Stiles was not unique in his observations during that era, and yet, in recent decades our leadership has done its best to remove God from all of our public institutions.

Changes in our country are to be expected, and it is really not all that surprising to see us going down the road of secularization, immorality, fiscal irresponsibility, and eventually, chaos and destruction.  Why is it not surprising?  Quite simply, it is evident that we haven’t learned from history.  Subsequently, we will most likely repeat it.  If we examine great civilizations of the past, we can see a reflection of where we are heading.

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.”

~Proverbs 29:2 (NKJV)

Think about your experience of governmental leadership at all levels: city, county, state, national.  You can even break it down to smaller entities such as the local school board, civic groups, and all the other organizations and institutions in which leadership is exerted.  Is the organization thriving with people rejoicing, or do you hear a lot of moans and groans?  The Old Testament Proverb apparently still rings true today.

I wish Ezra Stiles had listed his reasons for asserting that the United States was under peculiar obligations to become a holy people unto the Lord our God.  His clarity of thought would probably be refreshing to read in modern context.  Ezra was a theologian, possessed a thorough knowledge of the Hebrew, Greek and Latin languages, and was also trained in law.  Some have claimed that he had the distinction of being one of the most learned men in our country at that time.  What would happen in the United States today if we could hear the call to holiness from our elected governmental officials, the academic elites of our universities, the editors of major newspapers and CEOs of other major media outlets? 

There can be disagreements among liberals and conservatives about what methodologies to utilize in attempting to achieve the common good of our society.  However, one thing that should not be disagreed upon is the need for honesty and integrity amongst our leadership.  What is the basis from which this honesty and integrity will flow?  It is none other than the Christian values upon which our country was established and reiterated so succinctly by Ezra Stiles.  What is the hope of ever getting back to that mindset given how far we have wandered from that perspective in modern times? 

“Man’s pride causes his humiliation, but he who is humble of spirit obtains honor.”

~Proverbs 29: 23 (NAB)

As we continue to prepare the way of the Lord during this Advent season, may each of us who bears the name of Christian be humble of spirit!  Let us be faithful in praying for those in leadership positions.  Furthermore, let us lead by example and become a holy people unto the Lord.

On December 11, 1925 Pope Pius XI issued the Encyclical Quas Primas. I reviewed this document today and was struck by how relevant the message is for our current generation.  We certainly need Christ the King to reign in our hearts now as much as ever.

I would like to quote paragraph 18 in its entirety.

18. Thus the empire of our Redeemer embraces all men. To use the words of Our immortal predecessor, Pope Leo XIII: “His empire includes not only Catholic nations, not only baptized persons who, though of right belonging to the Church, have been led astray by error, or have been cut off from her by schism, but also all those who are outside the Christian faith; so that truly the whole of mankind is subject to the power of Jesus Christ.”[ Enc. Annum Sacrum, May 25, 1899] Nor is there any difference in this matter between the individual and the family or the State; for all men, whether collectively or individually, are under the dominion of Christ. In him is the salvation of the individual, in him is the salvation of society. “Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given to men whereby we must be saved.” [Acts 4:12] He is the author of happiness and true prosperity for every man and for every nation. “For a nation is happy when its citizens are happy. What else is a nation but a number of men living in concord?”[ S. Aug. Ep. ad Macedonium, c. iii] If, therefore, the rulers of nations wish to preserve their authority, to promote and increase the prosperity of their countries, they will not neglect the public duty of reverence and obedience to the rule of Christ. What We said at the beginning of Our Pontificate concerning the decline of public authority, and the lack of respect for the same, is equally true at the present day. “With God and Jesus Christ,” we said, “excluded from political life, with authority derived not from God but from man, the very basis of that authority has been taken away, because the chief reason of the distinction between ruler and subject has been eliminated. The result is that human society is tottering to its fall, because it has no longer a secure and solid foundation.”[ Enc. Ubi Arcano]

In our country, how far have we wandered from this very salient point regarding the necessity of the rulers of nations to not neglect the public duty of reverence and obedience to the rule of Christ? Do we see our society tottering to its fall because of a lack of this secure and solid foundation?  The beginning of paragraph 19 sums up what we can expect if we honor Christ as King. 

19. When once men recognize, both in private and in public life, that Christ is King, society will at last receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony.

Unfortunately, it often appears that our society is headed in the opposite direction of experiencing these blessings.  We continue to remove God from more and more of our public institutions and we are subsequently reaping a lack of discipline, peace and harmony.  The polarization of viewpoints on issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage, and religious liberty shows the divide growing deeper and wider with each passing year.  Peace and harmony doesn’t seem to be the main item on the menu in our times.

It is important for people of faith to continue to honor Jesus Christ as King, both in their private life as well as their public life.  The Church needs faithful witnesses.  Obviously, Pope Pius XI recognized some troubling societal signs in his time; many of these signs are still with us today.  We can’t give up hope.  During this Advent season, let us be more diligent than ever in preparing the way of the Lord.  May Christ the King reign supreme in our hearts and homes this day and always.

Three American Catholic nuns along with a lay missionary were beaten, raped and shot to death by an El Salvador government death squad on December 2, 1980. Over thirty years have passed since that devastating date, but the impact of Sr. Maura Clark, Sr. Ita Ford, Sr. Dorothy Kazel, and Jean Donovan lives on.

In this Season of Advent, are we willing to be faithful witnesses to Jesus Christ even if the price is high?

“Leaders don’t force people to follow–they invite them on a journey.”
~Charles S. Lauer

Today, the First Sunday of Advent, marks the beginning of a new Church year.  Are we fully immersed in the culture of consumerism and chaos recuperating from Gray Thursday, Black Friday, and preparing for Cyber Monday, or have we truly entered into the journey of holiness?

The quote from Charles S. Lauer reminded me that Jesus simply invites us to “Come and See.”  We are not forced to follow; we are invited.  The Season of Advent provides an excellent opportunity for each of us to reflect upon our response to the invitation.  In what ways will we effectively prepare the way of the Lord in our individual lives during this Advent Season?

“We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all we need to make us happy is something to be enthusiastic about.”
~Charles Kingsley

Are we enthusiastic about our faith and the Good News of Salvation?

The Scripture readings at this time of the liturgical year focus our attention on the end times. The intentional attempt to guide our thinking and meditation in this particular direction has the potential to create some fear and trepidation within us, or it can lead to a deep sense of hope and a firm desire to be more fully united with our Lord. A reflection question that I was given years ago at a retreat came back to mind today as I pondered the end times. That question was this: “How will I respond at the end of life if I am simply asked, ‘How did you love?’”  

It is a simple question that has generated more questions for me rather than a simple and direct answer. I started close to home. How would my spouse and children answer that question in regard to how I loved them? Did they experience genuine love, care, and compassion from me? Did I set an example for them to follow? Realizing that I had much work to do in this area alone prompted me to stop from reflecting any further. However, the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the Works of Mercy were still beckoning my attention. Wow! There was no doubt that this was going to be an interesting examination of conscience. (This started out as preliminary study for developing a homily; apparently there needs to be some preaching directed right at myself before proceeding. Ouch!)

I pulled my Bible off the shelf and read the Sermon on the Mount followed by a review of the Ten Commandments. One could obviously spend a huge chunk of time with either one of those passages, but I was prompted to move on to the Works of Mercy for a more specific and direct look at, “How did I love?” The journey through these acts of mercy did not disappoint. I invite you to walk with me in reflecting upon the seven Corporal Works of Mercy. We’ll tackle the Spiritual Works of Mercy another time.

Corporal Works of Mercy

Feed the Hungry
Share what you have with those who need it. There are folks around the world who need our help. Right now, that would be the people of the Philippines after the typhoon devastated their country. Let’s also not forget the people in our own backyard who need our help. The economic downturn has certainly created a greater need for consistent charity to our local food-banks.

Give Drink to the Thirsty
Share your joy and hope with those whose lives are dry and lonely. Fresh drinking water is badly needed in many parts of the world and there are ways we can monetarily help in alleviating these dire conditions. There are also many people right here at home who are thirsting for love and companionship. Can we quench their thirst by the gift of our time and our love?

Clothe the Naked
Are we standing up for those who are the most weak and vulnerable? Are we providing clothing and other essentials for daily living? Furthermore, are we also providing advocacy to help rectify any systemic issues that need to be addressed?

Shelter the Homeless
Are we physically sheltering the homeless? In addition to simply providing physical shelter, how do we reach out to the unloved and the unpopular people of society? Do we have a way of making everyone welcome in our hearts? Do we recognize Jesus in the poor and the homeless?

Visit the Imprisoned
Due to all the security restrictions at prisons, it isn’t easy to visit the imprisoned in modern times. However, there is a definite need for the Church community to reach out to these individuals. If we can’t physically visit the criminally imprisoned, are we visiting those locked up in their homes by fear, age, or sadness?

Visit the Sick
Are we present when people around us need our care and attention? Do we see it as a privilege to serve others in their time of need?

Bury the Dead
Do we remember with love and respect those who are separated by distance or death?

How have I loved? I don’t know about you, but it is clear that I have a lot of  work to do. Fervent prayer and an abundance of God’s grace and mercy are desperately needed. This examination of conscience has generated a healthy dose of reality into my world. 

This exercise has prompted me to ask yet another question that will have to be reflected upon at another time: “What treasure really is hidden most deep in my heart?”

Early this morning I saw on Facebook that someone had pointed out the numerical sequence of today’s date. This tidbit of information seemed to drift into oblivion as I watched the news covering the devastating effects of the typhoon in the Philippines. It is difficult to comprehend the magnitude of such a storm, and words seem to be inadequate to describe what the pictures revealed. Our thoughts, prayers, and support need to be given as generously as possible for those affected by this tragedy.

Everything else on the news paled in comparison to the typhoon pictures. As I scanned the headlines on the internet I saw stories about the continued difficulties of the “Affordable Care Act,” the bullying problem in the NFL, and the antics of the mayor of Toronto. There seems to be no shortage of issues to be debated among the “experts” about a whole range of problems besetting modern culture. It is both fascinating and frustrating to watch commentators attempt to spin the individual stories in a direction that suits their preference. It is evident at times that facts will simply not be allowed to get in the way of a good story. Unfortunately, we all suffer when there is a lack of journalistic integrity.

Of all the stories I skimmed this morning, the NFL bullying problem seemed to be the least important. However, it kept popping into my mind as the day went on. I think this is due in part because of all the issues surrounding bullying that I have dealt with as a teacher and as an administrator in both elementary and secondary schools. Children struggle when their environment is not safe and conducive to learning, but this particular issue was in an NFL setting. How could that kind of behavior be taking place in an “adult” world? Obviously, workplace harassment has the potential to occur anywhere and under a lot of different circumstances. The NFL is no exception.

Later in the day I happened to see on www.brainyhistory.com that on November 12, 1933 a Sunday football game was played for the first time in Philadelphia. Previously this had been illegal to do. Who would have ever imagined in 1933 that the future of professional football would be what it is today? It is definitely more than the bullying issue that crosses my mind as I reflect upon the history of professional football. The question that rumbles through my mind is this: “Have we lost our ability to keep holy the Lord’s Day because we have accepted a new religion on Sunday?” It has been 80 years since the first legal Sunday football game was played in Philadelphia. What have we gained by that transition, and more importantly, what have we lost?