Fighting Evil

By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes.

~ Macbeth, 4:1

Today the Catholic Church observes the feast of archangels, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. These are biblical figures, all appearing in Holy Scripture. Gabriel is presented as the messenger, Raphael as the healer, and Michael as the defender against evil. 

In my opinion, Michael has the busiest agenda these days. I've often heard news and opinion commentators, local as well as national, describe the USA's current internal and global struggles as "spiritual warfare." I find myself agreeing. We are certainly in the days when the dominating cultural trend is to "call evil good, and good evil" (Isaiah 5:20). 

St. Michael is the patron of the military, police, first responders, Israel and Ukraine, plus all defenders against evil. It's safe to say he's got his hands full these days.

Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle...

Predicting Humor

 "In America, anyone can become president. That's the problem."

~ George Carlin        

The comedian George Carlin (1937-2008) truly was ahead of his time. Reading his sharply relevant quips today can make one wonder if he was a kind of funny Nostradamus, predicting the challenges of our current events decades ago. But I think he was just a very intelligent, perceptive person who could see the freight train--and the ensuing inevitable trainwreck--coming a long way down the tracks.

My favorite routine is his hilarious diatribe on Earth Day and the world's imperviousness to humanity's impact upon it. He actually suggests Earth might use a virus to rid itself of humans! There are other monologues, equally prescient--like the one in which he discusses our "Owners." Even two decades ago, our present situation was obvious to Carlin.

Carlin's standup material contained so many topics that remain keenly relevant today. YouTube is a good source to find his performances. He was one smart cookie. If he was still with us, despite our national troubles, I have no doubt George would still make us laugh.

Constitutionally Unsound

Free speech is my right to say what you don't want to hear.

~ George Orwell

Today is Constitution Day. This might be an appropriate occasion to read that founding document, particularly the First Amendment guaranteeing freedom of speech. This is especially true since we now have political candidates claiming there's "no guarantee to free speech" when it comes to "misinformation" or "hate speech."

Actually, that's exactly what the First Amendment guarantees. The Founders knew we didn't need a law to protect speech we agree with; we need to protect opposing, even offensive, speakers. Look up the case of Skokie, Illinois in 1977. The Supreme Court ruled that the Nazi party did have the right to march peacefully in a largely Jewish community.

Less than a half century later, censorship has crept into every area of public discourse. That in itself is frightening. But who are the shadowy gatekeepers appointed to decide what is "misinformation" or "hate speech"? That question has become truly terrifying. The reality of government agencies, educational institutions, and media outlets curtailing our right to free speech is evidence that our republic is in a very bad way.

The free exercise of religion is also protected in the First Amendment. While it's still permitted, a daily prayer for America may be in order.

 

A Win for the Good

On September 11, 2001, the Vigiano family lost both of their sons--one was a police officer, the other a firefighter. 

Speaking as a parent, it's impossible to comprehend the enormity of this family's grief. Yet anyone who has suffered a great loss knows that life goes on, one way or another, regardless of tragedy or sorrow. The young first responders who died left families behind to face the coming years without them. Several of those orphaned children have stepped onto their fathers' career path, including Joe Vigiano Jr. Joe Vigiano Jr. is a newly graduated NYC police officer.

The Bible tells us that in the end, God wins the war against evil. We may still have a long time to wait for that joyous outcome. But there are ongoing quiet battles being waged in the meantime by uncounted courageous individuals who are fighting to bring light out of darkness. The brave Vigiano family can proudly claim one of those victories.

September 11, 2001 ~ Never Forget

Honoring Grandparents

Tomorrow is Grandparents Day. Since becoming a grandparent myself, I've become more tuned in to this often-overlooked holiday, probably because of the artwork I receive from my grandkids in honor of the occasion.

My own grandparents are models of the previous generations that built our country. All of them were teenaged immigrants, fleeing their impoverished childhoods in Ireland for the promise of a better life in America. A century ago, immigrants needed their checklist in order before entering the USA. From their firsthand accounts, I know that my grandparents were sponsored into the country by relatives already established here, who met them at the dock and served as escorts and witnesses to their identity. They needed to prove a place of residency and a job awaiting them, as well as pass a health exam, before being allowed off Ellis Island or out of any other US port of entry.

Sad to say, that's not quite our current immigration system.

I never met my firefighter grandfather. He died young, in the line of duty at the scene of a fire during the Great Depression. My other grandparents are vivid in my memory, especially my two grandmothers. It seems the older I become, the more I remember them, their inner strength, and the wisdom of their ways.

I can only hope and pray that I may hold a similar sweet spot in the memories of my own grandchildren.