By Fr. Scott Archer
In
recent days we have seen a great deal of emotional reaction to violence in our
nation, much of it spurred on by the media but tragedies, nonetheless. The
tendency is to blame inanimate objects, as if things like guns had minds of
their own, and this may be because we are afraid to dig into the deeper cause
of violence. Many even use these tragedies to lay blame at the feet of
political leaders.
I
suggest the root of evil is rather in individual hearts. Our Savior said, “Hear
and understand: not what goes into the mouth defiles a man … But what comes out
of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a man. For out of the
heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness,
slander” (Matt. 15:10-11; 18-19).
Our
society has seen a continuous decay in morals because people neither love nor
fear God; therefore, they open themselves up to temptations of the devil, their
own evil passions, and the wickedness of the world. Very many have lost any
sense of the dignity or sacredness of human life. This is not a value we can
have as a society when abortion is enshrined in our laws; in some cases up to
and following birth. Every child in the womb must be given the chance to come
into the world and receive the grace of God.
This
disregard for life extends to the elderly, infirm, and terminally ill. Phrases
such as “assisted suicide” and “death with dignity” are used to ease our
consciences. Sin and contempt for human life is at the heart of why we see
murder carried out so easily in our society and world. “For out of the heart
come evil thoughts” and “murder.” We must change hearts and turn souls to
Christ.
You
may not think individuals can do very much to help bring an end to societal
evils; however, the present difficulties we face are not going to be solved by
politicians. Christ and His Church are always the answer. The Church that
brought Christ to the Roman Empire; converted pagan Ireland, Anglo-Saxon
England and Germania; was the light in the darkness of the medieval world; and
carried the gospel to Asia and Africa is the same Faith that will change hearts
from vice and hate to virtue and charity.
Individuals
can do much to influence our culture by repenting of sin and living authentic
Catholics lives; receiving the sacraments frequently, especially Penance and
Holy Communion; fostering devotion to the ever-Virgin Mother of God; and
working for the social reign of Christ the King.
Our
Lady brought Christ into the world, and Our Lady will bring the world to
Christ. When we practice true devotion to the Mother of God, she transforms our
hearts to be like her Son’s. We see around us hate, war, suffering, and murder,
but at Fatima Our Lady said, “In the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph.”
By
placing Christ at the center of our lives and society, we acknowledge that He
is the way, the truth, and the life, and that through Him this fallen world can
live in peace through grace. Pope Pius XI wrote, “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.” We must change lives by our love of God and individual holiness, and
thereby give rise in our society to an acknowledgment of the sacredness of
innocent human life.
