Author: Vernon Dobelmann

Today is the anniversary of the deaths of Margaret Bowman and Lisa Levy.  The names will probably not ring a bell for most people, but they were both murdered in 1978 at Florida State University in the Chi Omega Sorority House.  Each of them would be in their mid-fifties today if they were still alive, but unfortunately their lives were tragically cut short by the actions of a man whose name I will not mention.  Sadly, his name is very recognizable.  If you do an internet search utilizing the names of the women, you will get many more hits for the man who killed them than what you will get for the victims.  (It seems that too often in our modern society we create a lasting memory of the perpetrator of a crime rather than the victims.)

I did not know either of the victims and have no direct connection to them at all.  Yet, I get a deep sense of sadness when I think about the last moments of their lives.  Simply reading about the brutal nature of the attack was enough to make my heart break for these innocent young women.  I can only imagine the grief that was experienced by their parents, other family members, their friends and classmates.  

Following the murders, fear permeated other female students as they wondered if such an attack would happen again.  The ripple effect of such a heinous crime extends quite far into the surrounding community.  It was painfully evident that a sense of safety and security was lost as news spread about the early Sunday morning attack on these women while they slept.  Shock, disbelief, and terror swept through the corridors.  Life had ended for two individuals and was severely damaged for two others who survived the vicious attack at the Chi Omega house.  A fifth victim was severely beaten at another location as well.  Ultimately, life was changed for a multitude of people that morning due to the emotional distress that such a disastrous event can bring upon us.

Our nation and our society are in desperate need of prayer for healing for the many acts of senseless violence that takes place all too frequently.  May the memories of Lisa Levy and Margaret Bowman remind us today that we need to be those people of prayer!

Fr. John Dear wrote an article for the National Catholic Reporter on January 7, 2014 announcing that after 32 years he was leaving the Jesuits. 

(You can read it here: http://ncronline.org/blogs/road-peace/leaving-jesuits-after-32-years)

Several years ago I read his book entitled, “A Persistent Peace.”  Since that time I have read his columns periodically and have had the opportunity to attend one of his presentations as well.  One thing is for sure; he gives a person something to think about in regard to pursuing peace.  Whether you agree or disagree with his tactics, most people will recognize that Fr. John Dear has certainly raised awareness about living a nonviolent lifestyle.

I am not going to enter into the debate about the methodologies Fr. John employed to get his message across to people.  His multiple arrests are self-explanatory in that regard.  However, I want to reflect upon the challenge that I sensed after reading his book and being present at one of his presentations.  Father John stirred up a desire within me to truly make a commitment to transformation.  Living with the status quo certainly did not appear to be a viable option if I was going to seriously strive to live out the teachings of the Gospel. There had to be changes in my thinking, as well as in my prayer and actions, if I had any hope of effectively entering into a way of life focused on peace, healing and nonviolence.  Apathy and complacency should not be taking up residence in my day-to-day experiences. 

The discernment process of Fr. John Dear over the last few years must have been excruciatingly difficult.  An individual doesn’t walk away from 32 years of commitment without a significant amount of internal struggle.  I wish Fr. Dear well in his new endeavors.  Furthermore, I hope he has the opportunity to experience healing and peace in his life and ministry as he moves ahead.

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.