Homily: Saturday, 17th Week in Ordinary Time

Readings: Jer 26:11-16,24; Ps 69; Mt 14:1-12

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Today, in addition to our Saturday memorial for the Blessed Mother, we celebrate St. Peter Chrysologus, a fifth-century bishop and doctor of the Church also known as a gifted preacher. I’ve read a few of his homilies and suspect they likely lasted an hour or more. Aren’t you glad he’s not preaching here today…or maybe not.

Anyway, as I read Psalm 69 yesterday, today’s responsorial psalm, I was reminded of something that happened to me long ago. It was these words by the psalmist that struck me:

Let not the abyss swallow me up…

Yes, these words brought back an odd and old memory.

Many years ago, when I was a young naval officer, one Sunday afternoon the captain of our ship decided to give the crew a treat. He stopped the ship, right there in the middle of the South Pacific, rigged up a ladder to a small floating dock, lowered a boat with a rifleman to watch out for sharks, and had a swim call. Most of the crew preferred to stay aboard ship and take advantage of the flight deck barbeque, but I thought a dip in the ocean would be just the thing on a steamy hot day.

Now it’s one thing to travel over deep water in a ship or to fly over it, and it’s something quite different to immerse oneself in it physically – to experience it up close and personal, so to speak. I admit, when I dove off the dock into crystal clear blue water, it was refreshingly wonderful. And then, after a few minutes, I made the mistake of dunking my head under water looking straight down. 

The sun was almost directly above, so the sunlight formed a kind of funnel, a vortex of light beneath me going down into the darkness with my legs dangling there in the midst of it. It was a remarkable, almost breathtaking, experience, looking down through that narrowing cone of light into the seemingly infinite darkness of the ocean. As I hovered, almost paralyzed by the experience, I recalled that the ocean there was a good four to five miles deep. For a moment I felt completely alone, totally vulnerable, something that in my usual arrogance and self-confidence I had never before experienced. With no reference other than myself and the vastness of the ocean, for the first time in my life I was aware of how small and fragile I really was.

How long did I hover there staring down into that deep water? I don’t know, but eventually I needed to breathe. I broke the surface and felt this tremendous sense of relief to see others swimming around me with the huge bulk of the aircraft carrier only fifty yards away. I swam back to the little dock and climbed up that 70-foot ladder in record time. And, you know, in all the years since I’ve never again felt the need to go swimming in mid-ocean, to enter that deep water, a stare into the abyss.

I suppose the lives of the prophets – John the Baptist, Jeremiah, and all the rest – were a constant reliving of that experience that I had for just a moment. They stared down into the abyss, into the abyss of hatred, not knowing if they’d even survive another day, all the while struggling to trust that God would care for them. “Let not the abyss swallow me up.”

Herod Antipas was not unlike the priests and false prophets of Jeremiah’s time. The true prophets, men like Jeremiah, those who spoke God’s Word…oh, they were easy to hate because the truth they spoke cut to the very core. The world could ignore them only so long, because what they said was so disturbing to all those well-planned lives.

And that call to repentance? To re-think everything. To change. To set aside my comfortable life and look into the abyss? To trust, to put my faith to the test. Yes, like Herod and the rest, too often you and I fear and resist the change that God calls to us.

Ironically, sometimes it’s the very goodness of our lives that keeps us from responding – family, friends, health, freedom, safety…all just going so well. Being comfortable here, in a bright, well-manicured community that we hope mirrors our own lives…yes, indeed, it can keep us from listening to what God calls us to do.

We look outward at an unjust world, shake our heads, and give thanks that we’re somewhat isolated from it all. It’s the same kind of world that rejected Jesus. A world governed by pride, where that same lack of humility leads so many to believe they don’t need the God who created them out of love. And as we look at that world, you and I sense a certain guilt because we are so blessed. Perhaps what we really need is a deeper sense of humility, as St. Thérèse once wrote, "My task was simplified the moment I realized I could do nothing by myself."

Perhaps we should just step into that unjust world, put God’s light on the lampstand and let it shine into the lives of those around us. Hard to believe, but you and I are called to be prophets, called to be God’s messengers, to be His voice in the tiny slice of the world where He’s placed us. We need fear nothing, not even the abyss; for when you and I respond to God's word with faith and obedience, we are changed, and made "new creations" in Christ.

For some of us, time is running out, so I guess we’d better get busy.

Homily: Tuesday, 17th Week in Ordinary Time (Sts. Joachim and Anne)

Sometimes, although I intend to preach, things change and a homily gets set aside. That's what happened on Tuesday.  I thought I'd go ahead and post my Tuesday homily, anyway. It follows...

Readings: Jer 14:17-22 • Ps 79 • Mt 13:36-43

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Today we celebrate the memorial of our Blessed Mother’s parents, Joachim and Anne. Their names appear nowhere in Scripture. Indeed, everything we know about them, including their names, comes from tradition. But based on what we know of Mary – her courage, her decisiveness, her deep faith, her goodness – comes not only from the grace of her immaculate conception, but also from the example and love of her parents.

When I think of Joachim and Anne, I can’t help but think also of my ancestors over many generations – men and women, parents, who in far more difficult times than we face today, managed to raise faithful children, who went on to do the same. And so, we honor this couple today who raised the Mother of our Lord.

Speaking of difficult, challenging times, the prophet Jeremiah describes a time of famine and death before the Babylonian captivity in 587 B.C. As a prophet chosen by God, Jeremiah was heartbroken. He had warned the people about what was coming, warning them also not to listen to the false prophets and priests. We can sense Jeremiah’s distress, and hear his call and the cry of the people:  

“We were hoping for peace – no good came of it! We wait for a time of healing – but terror comes instead!” [Jer 14:19]

And yet, at the same time, Jeremiah doesn’t hide the cause of it all, and admits the sinfulness of generations:

“We recognize, O LORD, our wickedness, the guilt of our fathers; that we have sinned against you.” [Jer 14:20]

Yes, “Why have you struck us a blow that cannot be healed?” [Jer 14:19]

Have you ever felt like that? Wondering, during difficult times, if God really hears your prayer. But it’s precisely in such times that we need to sense God’s closeness and His love. It’s in such times, when life seems to hang by a thread, that we turn to our God, lacking words, but trusting in the Spirit’s inexpressible groanings…it’s in such times that God’s Presence is almost overwhelming. It's then, too, we gaze up at the Cross and begin, once again, to realize the depth of God’s love for us.

Yes, our lives are complicated, aren’t they? Wheat and weeds growing together, each seeking to overwhelm the other. I have a neighbor, a master gardener, whose yard and gardens are absolutely, beautifully perfect. Everything’s in its proper place. It’s a showcase, the envy of the neighborhood…unless, like me, you have better things to do. His garden might be beautiful, but it’s so very different from God’s garden.

In God’s yard and garden, in His fields, He lets everything, weeds and wheat, entangle. The rows are uneven, a seemingly careless and unplanned mixture of diverse plants and weeds, all swaying in the breeze. God’s garden is basically a mess. It’s a chaotic, apparently disorganized collection of plants, some nice, some not so nice.

It’s really very much like our lives, a confusing mixture of the good and the not-so-good. Oh, we’d like it to be perfect, and as time passes, we struggle to make things better, trying to pull the weeds, but some always remain, don’t they?

Grain ripens and bends toward the sun. And then our merciful Sower stretches out the growing season. He gives us, well, some of us, anyway, a little more time. Allowing us to prepare for the harvest, when judgment unfolds.

Now, as I contemplate today’s Word of God, I simply ask Him not to weigh our failings. For Your sake, Lord, send help quickly. We need it.

Saints Joachim and Anne…Pray for us.

 

Homily: Saturday, 16th Week in Ordinary Time

Readings: Jer 7:1-11 • Ps 84 • Mt 13:24-30

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Today we not only celebrate Our Blessed Mother’s Saturday memorial, but also the memorial of St. Bridget of Sweden. Bridget, the 14^th century mother of a large family was also a mystic who received divine prophecies and revelations. Her Revelation is a remarkable and quite long book of her spiritual life that is well worth reading today.

Like St. Catherine of Siena, Bridget strongly encouraged the pope to leave Avignon and return to Rome. And she, along with St. Catherine and St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (the modern martyr-saint, Edith Stein) are co-patronesses of Europe. We should pray that all three of these holy women intercede for the conversion of Europe.

Conversion is also a theme of today’s readings. Our reading from chapter 7 of Jeremiah is sometimes called his famous “Temple Sermon.” Its fame probably stems from the fact that everything Jeremiah preached 2,700 years ago still applies today.

The Jews of Judah, like so many of us today, were a spiritually complacent bunch. They trusted in the Temple sacrifices, in the outward manifestations of their religion, but ignored God’s Law, His demands of justice and charity. Theirs was a lifeless faith, their worship insincere.

Standing at the Temple gates, Jeremiah preached to “all you of Judah who enter these gates to worship the Lord.” Jeremiah warned the people that, unless they reformed their “ways and deeds,” God would no longer keep His Temple Presence.

This shocked and angered the Jews, who believed God’s Presence would never leave the Temple, that God would always be present in the Holy of Holies. But God said, No! He wouldn’t remain and protect His people in this Land unless they underwent conversion and abandoned their sinfulness.

They were a bit like those Catholics who never miss Sunday Mass, and yet assume this alone ensures their salvation. Yes, they believe they can ignore the teachings of the Church, teachings inspired and revealed by the Holy Spirit, so long as they check that box and attend weekly Mass.

Jeremiah warned the people their sinfulness would catch up with them. He called them a murderous and adulterous people, liars and thieves who also worshipped Baal and other false gods. For this, they would be carried off into foreign lands, a prophecy fulfilled just a few years later when Nebuchadnezzar razed Jerusalem and the Temple.

Centuries later Jesus called on both Jeremiah and Isaiah when He saw the desecration of the Temple:

“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations. But you have made it a den of thieves” [Mk 11:17].

Our worship, too, won’t guarantee salvation; rather, it’s a sign of where the desires of our heart truly lie.

Our Gospel passage is also about conversion, about our willingness to persevere in hope so we can separate our wheat from our weeds. I can’t speak for any of you, but parts of my life have been pretty weedy. But then I reach out and grasp God’s forgiveness and His mercy, and it always leads to a new call, a new direction I never expected. God’s love is a sure thing, but how He delivers it…well, that always surprises.

This past Wednesday I was at the National Cemetery in Bushnell to conduct a committal rite for a 90-year-old woman, everyone called “Bunny.” A widow with no children, Bunny was deeply loved by her large extended Italian, New York family. We had a good crowd there at the cemetery

As we gathered at the committal site, I chatted with a man named Marty, who seemed to be having some trouble walking with his cane. He laughed and said, “With all my ailments, I’ll be here myself pretty soon, unless God gives me another shot.”

As I began to lead the procession I turned to see if everyone was ready. That’s when I saw Marty fall backwards to the sidewalk. He fell hard and his head hit the concrete with a loud crack. Immediately one of the family, a firefighter and EMT, was with him, along with a well-trained cemetery rep. As they went to work on Marty, we called for an ambulance. But Marty wasn’t responsive – with no pulse, no sign of respiration, the family EMT began CPR. I simply stood over them all and prayed.

Miraculously, within a couple of minutes Marty’s heartbeat and breathing returned and he regained consciousness. The Sumter County EMTs arrived, along with an ambulance and Marty was taken to the hospital.

We then conducted our delayed committal service for Bunny, adding Marty to our prayers. Everyone was saying how Marty, this 79-yeard-old good guy had also been a bit edgy, as one family member put it. And I couldn’t help but recall what Marty had said: ”…unless God gives me another shot.”

Yes, indeed, God keeps calling us, and often enough His call is full of surprises. We have a God of second chances, and how good is that, for all of us.

By the way, Marty is doing well.

 

Homily: Saturday, 15th Week in Ordinary Time

Readings: Mic 2:1-5; Ps 10; Mt 12:14-21

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Today we celebrate the optional memorial of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Mt. Carmel, a mountain in Galilee, not far from the Mediterranean coast, is famous in the Old Testament as the site where the prophet Elijah displayed the power of God through an overwhelming victory over the prophets and priests of the false god, Baal. Mt. Carmel is also where the Carmelite order was founded back in the 13th century. Our parish is blessed with a number of Third Order Carmelites and I'm sure many of you, like me, wear the brown scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Given the state of our nation and our world, we certainly need Our Lady's intercession. 

Thinking about this I was struck by today’s responsorial from Psalm 10. It seemed to me so very appropriate.

“Do not forget the poor, O Lord.”

Inflation, interest rates, shortages, crime, division – it affects us all, but it’s always more troubling for working families, especially the working poor. 

Depleted savings; wages that fail to keep up with price increases; children robbed of their innocence, and taught to fear; rents and mortgages and taxes climb, but must be paid; growing children must be fed and clothed; cars must be fueled to drive to work and school. 

Yes, a troubled economy inevitably taxes family budgets and, in truth, can redefine poverty levels. And so, we pray:

“Do not forget the poor, O Lord.”

But is this prayer really aimed at our loving God? For our faith tells us that God forgets no one, especially those in need. 

And yet, the psalmist begins asking God why He hides in times of darkness, why He allows the wicked to afflict the innocent and the poor. But then he describes these wicked ones who “glory in their greed” and completely ignore God.

Of course, this is nothing new. We see it today as well. Although we hear a lot of folks talk about God and their faith, we soon realize it’s all deceit, for they live as if God doesn’t exist. You see, nothing much has changed in 3,000 years.

The psalmist reminds us that God “beholds misery and sorrow” and takes them into His hands. But God’s hands are really a metaphor for those He has called and sent to do His work in the world. This psalm might be less a call to God, than it is a reminder that it’s God Who does the calling, for God does that worldly work of His though others, through you and me.

We hear something similar in our first reading from the prophet Micah. We don’t know much about Micah, an obscure man from an obscure village in Judah. But he was a man who could recognize evil in all its disguises. He let no one escape God’s Word: the wealthy who enslave the poor for their debts; merchants who cheat everyone; corrupt judges who take bribes; even priests and prophets who prey on the faithful.

Perhaps the first words of our reading are the most telling:

“Woe to those who plan iniquity and work out evil on their couches” [Mic 2:1].

Yes, indeed, the true wheelers and dealers, even as they lay in their beds, plan ways to oppress, to help themselves at the expense of others.

What, then, are we to do?

As individuals, you and I can have little impact on the world’s, or the nation’s, economic and social realities. Oh, we can vote intelligently and try to effect change through human means…and that’s certainly good. And we should avoid serving or supporting those who, in their self-focused world, have turned from God’s way. In the same way, we can financially and actively support those who do God’s work in the world.

But I think sometimes we forget about God’s power, about the power of our faith; and that’s what the psalmist was trying to explain to us.

“Do not forget the poor, O Lord.”

We must remember that the world’s powers and principalities don’t control the future. How did Jesus put it to Nicodemus?

“The wind blows where it wills” [Jn 3:8]

Yes, the Holy Spirit cannot be contained, for He does God's work wherever and whenever God chooses. Some foolishly think they know what God can or cannot do. They forget how powerful God is, even as He chooses and uses so many imperfect men and women to do His work. Never forget, the God that created and rules all things told us:

“Behold, I make all things new” [Rev 21:5].

God likes to keep things simple; we’re the ones who complicate it, and then think we can fix the world by ourselves.

In a very real sense, though, we can conquer the world simply through our faith in Jesus Christ. St. John, in his first letter, said it well:

“Who, indeed, is the victor over the world, but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” [1 Jn 5:5]

Brothers and sisters, this victory happens when we act as Jesus acts – when we suffer redemptively, forgive mercifully, and love unconditionally. If we do this, and call others to join us – in other words, if we evangelize – God will let His miraculous power flow into our world and bring the healing, the peace He promises.

Oh, yes, and today, let’s turn also to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, asking her to pray and intercede for us, who in our imperfections struggle to do God's work and fulfill His will in the world.

 

Homily: Saturday, 14th Week in Ordinary Time

Readings: Is 6:1-8; Ps 93; Mt 10:24-33

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Today we have a few options. We celebrate Saturday in the 14^th week in Ordinary Time. But we also celebrate the optional memorial of St. Augustine Zhao Rong and 120 other Chinese martyrs who gave their lives over a period of three centuries. Finally, we celebrate the Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary. So, Father and I decided to wear white, knowing that those dear martyrs would gladly celebrate Mary along with us.

Turning to today’s readings, we find they’re all about calling…well at least in part. Calling is what God does, but that’s just one side of the equation. The other side, the part that really makes far more difference to us as individuals, is our response. And that’s really what these readings are all about, how we respond to God’s call. Now the Good News, and Sacred Scripture is all about Good News, is that God never stops calling us.

I’m going to get a little autobiographical today, always a scary thing to do, giving you a glimpse at my many imperfections. Looking back on my own, confusing life, I realize God began calling me very early. In fact, I was ten years old when I first heard His call. Back then, I didn’t think of it as a call. I simply didn’t know God well enough, and thought of it more as a nagging, not a calling.

Anyway, I had no idea what He wanted of me. He really wasn’t explicit, but He wouldn’t stop calling. Did you ever hear a song on the radio, one that just stuck in your head all day. I think the kids call it an “ear worm” – a pretty good metaphor. Well, that’s what God’s call was like for me. It just wouldn’t go away.

But I was involved in a lot of stuff, so I just pushed it aside and tried to go on with my life. High school, Georgetown, the Naval Academy, flight training, marriage, Vietnam, children, graduate school, my career as a Navy pilot, teaching, a consulting business – it was an intense time, but throughout it all I sensed the tug, the unspoken call. But for what, I didn’t know.

And then, when I was about 30, I was sent to teach at the Naval Academy, I discovered my immediate neighbor, an Air Force officer, was also a permanent deacon. That’s when I began to realize what God’s call was all about, but it still took me another 15 years to respond.

In our first reading from Isaiah, we encounter the prophet’s call. Isaiah spent the first 5 chapters delivering a prophecy to the people of Jerusalem and Judea, telling them what they could expect unless they returned to the Lord. Then, in chapter 6, today’s reading, he described his call.

Believe me, Isaiah’s call was a lot more explicit than mine. No Seraphim flew to me or cleansed my lips with coal, so I’d understand what God wanted of me. No, for me God simply sent a stream of wonderful people who pointed the way: deacons, priests, a bishop, and most importantly, a loving wife who apparently saw in me some faint reflection of what God saw.

When we turn to today’s Gospel passage from Matthew, we hear Jesus speaking to His apostles and really to all who must evangelize…and, folks, that’s all of us…every single one of us. He lets us know that we’ll be treated no better than he is treated. What had He said earlier?

"Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness..." [Mt 5:10]

What did the Apostles think when they heard those words? When you go out and preach the Gospel, you'll be persecuted, handed over to courts, be scourged, hated, and probably killed. Yes, indeed, like sheep among wolves.

Had I heard and through about that, I suspect in my weakness I would have been a bit slower to respond to God's call. But not the Apostles! Their love for Jesus was so strong, His message so compelling, that they went out willingly into the world, into persecution. Because of them, because they responded, not to fear, but to love, we are here in this Church today.

Three times in this brief Gospel passage, Jesus tells the Apostles, as He tells us, not to be afraid. If our love of God is just another form of fear -- fear of His power and judgment -- then it's not love at all. As St. John reminds us in his first letter, "Perfect love casts out fear" [1 Jn 4:18]. Jesus calls us not to fear, but to love, to love as God Himself loves. St. Francis de Sales, addressing fear and love, once wrote: "Those who love to be feared, fear to be loved."

25 years ago, on my day of ordination, as I lay prostrate before that altar in St. Anthony’s church in New Bedford, Massachusetts, I could only think of those words of Isaiah: “I am a man of unclean lips…” Perhaps a momentary touch of fear…and then I heard again the Lord’s response, another question:

“Whom shall I send?”

Yes, indeed, send me, unclean lips and all.

And that’s the same question each of us, each of you, should respond to today. God is calling each of us and continues to do so. He calls us despite our many imperfections, with all those fears that we just can’t seem to let go of.

God is calling you. You need only respond, and He will lead you.

Fortune Cookie Wisdom

Late this morning I completed several home blessings for parishioners who had recently moved into their new homes in the expanding southern section of The Villages. I relish this small aspect of my ministry because these new retirees are so happy to find themselves here in the great state of Florida, far away from the cold, bleak, too woke north. I’m overjoyed that so many want these new homes blessed. Today I not only blessed their homes, but I also blessed their dogs, their cars, and their golf carts. 

The Villages is an extremely friendly and beautiful community in which many enjoy their senior years. It’s one of those rare places where a family need brings out the best in neighbors who want to do whatever they can to help. The Villages is also a remarkably religious community, where worshippers fill the pews of dozens of churches. It’s truly remarkable how The Villages has grown over the years. When Diane and I moved into our home in early 2004, there was nothing but farmland to the south of us. Now it can take me a half-hour to drive to these new homes. As the locals might describe it: “The Villages has spread like the plague.” Of course, it’s a relatively benevolent plague, one that has led to a blossoming of the local economy. But that’s a subject for another time.

When I returned from my “blessing drive” dear Diane informed me that she had a demanding craving for Cashew Chicken from our favorite Chinese food establishment. The Chinese-American family that owns and runs the restaurant — China Gourmet III — are parishioners at our parish and prepare wonderful take-out meals at reasonable prices. If you live in or near The Villages, give them a try. You won’t regret it. Anyway, Diane’s meal included two fortune cookies, so as she ate her lunch, I decided I deserved one of the cookies and ate it. Then I read the fortune: “One person with a belief is equal to a force of ninety-nine who have only interest.” I almost fell out of my chair since earlier this morning I had completed a Bible Study Guide on the prophet Elijah that covered chapter 18 of 1 Kings. The very last words I wrote this morning extolled the faith and prayer of Elijah, and how the faith of this one man  restored the faith of the people who had displayed mere interest in the living God because of their partial apostasy with the false god Baal. Here are the final words of my 11-page Study Guide:

“At the prophet’s word, God sends rain, a gift from heaven itself that brings fruitfulness to the earth. But the rain falls in superabundance, just like the faith of Elijah, who believes for more than himself, but for all of Israel, for all twelve tribes. The faith of this one man, then, can bring life to all.”

Perhaps I should pay more attention to the occasional fortune cookie that lands on my plate of pork fried rice.

Should you want to read the entire Study Guide, click here: Study 48: Elijah – Part 2 (1 Kings 18)…or you can spend a few days reading through the other 47 Study Guides here: Catholic-Scripture.com

Pols and Celebs

I’m always amazed, although I suppose I shouldn’t be, when politicians and celebrities say absolutely stupid things. Both of these groups of self-proclaimed elites experienced a collective meltdown over the U. S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. The court ruled that the Constitution does not include a right to abortion and consequently returned abortion laws to state legislatures. I've decided to share a few of these luminaries’ openly expressed thoughts relating to abortion and other issues. Even though I certainly could add extensive comments to each of these quotes, I will resist and, other than some brief introductory words, let these folks speak for themselves. Here goes…

Vice President Kamala Harris explains why abortion rights are fundamentally American:

"Don't hear, 'It can't be done.' Don't hear, 'Nobody like you has done this before.' I like to say, 'I eat no for breakfast.'...What essentially has happened is the statement has been made that the government has a right to come in your home and tell you, as a woman and as a family, what you should do with your body...We have to recognize we're a nation that was founded on certain principles that are -- that are grounded in the concept of freedom and liberty."

And our Vice President is also a lawyer?

Then there’s the always edgy Bette Midler, who was obviously upset about the Supreme Court’s recent decisions. She tweeted a meme purporting to be a photo of the enrobed wife of Justice Clarence Thomas as if Ginni Thomas were hiding behind a mask of the Justice. Ah, yes, she, the white wife, must obviously be the real power behind the Uncle Tom throne. Racist? You can decide:

An English pop star, Lily Allen, who apparently just had an abortion, explained in rather vulgar language why the vast majority of women choose abortion. I will try to cleverly disguise her most explicit language:

"I wish people would stop posting examples of exceptional reasons for having abortions [Note: by this, Ms. Allen meant rape, incest, etc.].  Most people I know, myself included, just didn't want to have a f***ing baby. And that is reason enough! We don't have to justify it. It shouldn't have to be said, and I think examples just play into the hands of the baddies."

From the White House we hear from Brian Deese, the National Economic Council Director, as he explains that the public will just have to grin and bear it when it comes to higher prices for fuel and food. The government, you see, has more important long-term concerns than the common financial concerns of struggling citizens. In the Director’s words:

"What you heard from the president today was about the stakes. This is about the future of the liberal world order, and we have to stand firm."

Ah, yes, the “liberal world order” which no leftist dares define publicly for fear the peasants would rise up armed with torches and pitchforks -- of course those are about the only weapons the Biden administration would want civilians to possess. I suspect Director Deese regrets his slip of the tongue, a rare instance in which someone in the Biden White House actually spoke the truth.

Another potty-mouth politician, the lovely Mayor Lori Lightfoot of Chicago, has decided that we must clean up our public discourse and generate more Kumbaya moments that will bring us all together. In a news conference on Monday, following the tragic shootings in Highland Park, Illinois, the mayor said:

"What it feels like is happening in this moment in our democracy is people are losing respect for the institutions of our democracy...The toxicity in our public discourse is a thing I think we should all be concerned about...We have got to focus on what brings us together and not what tears us apart, and we've got to get back to respect for each other and respect for community. And that's the thing, I think, that concerns me the most over the arc of the last two years."

Respect for our institutions, for each other, for community, getting rid of toxicity, bringing us together...how absolutely wonderful!

Of course, in May this same mayor urged a "call to arms" to attack those who don't accept her woke creed. Perhaps the hundreds of murders in Chicago are just part of this armed ongoing war against whatever. And just last week, unhappy with Justice Clarence Thomas, the detoxified mayor of Chicago publicly screamed, "F*** Clarence Thomas" at a rally. Later she attacked those who objected to her language, and added, without apology, "I said what I said." Yes, indeed, a lovely woman, and quite the lady.

I am particularly distressed by this final example because it relates to the United States Navy. As a retired Navy Captain I wore the uniform for 30 years and truly enjoyed a wondrous career as a Regular Navy and Naval Reserve officer. As a military organization, a fighting force, the Navy always focused on its ability to defend the country while not sweating the political correctness that infects many other elements of our society. In other words, the Navy was never very “woke” — at least until now. Captain Dave Hecht is a public affairs officer who works for the Chief of Naval Personnel. In an email to the American Military News, Hecht was all aflutter about the possibility that Navy personnel might use inappropriate pronouns. The Navy, after instituting its new policies, will have to punish violators. Here’s just a little of what Hecht had to say:

“Intentional misuse of transgender service member pronouns is inappropriate and inconsistent with the Navy zero tolerance policy on harassment…Violations of regulation or law, to include failure to comply with the UCMJ [Uniform Code of Military Justice], may be punishable by administrative or judicial action…[The Navy] appreciates that pronouns are a part of individual identity.” Hecht went on to say that both civilian and uniformed Navy members are expected to use appropriate rank or title, pronounce names correctly, and use “an individual’s pronouns consistent with their gender marker in DEERS or as reflected in an exception to policy (ETP) for that individual.” [DEERS is a personnel database containing information on active-duty, reserve, and retired service members and their families.] Captain Hecht went on for quite some time, even waxing eloquently about a training video that teaches Navy personnel on the proper use of gender pronouns and inclusive language.

Your tax dollars at work, folks. Don't you just love the idea of putting our nation's defense, and our lives, in the capable hands of people concerned about what pronoun others use when speaking to them?

God help our country.

Happy Independence Day

Sitting here in our living room this evening I can hear the sounds of fireworks, nothing very organized, or very loud, just folks here in The Villages setting off some noisemakers in their yards and in the streets. I also turned on the TV and watched some professional fireworks displays in Boston and our nation’s capital, both truly magnificent. But then I recalled how we were blasted a few days ago by a long and noteworthy thunderstorm that provided a light and noise show exceeding anything devised by man. I think our Creator was just reminding us that His power is far greater than ours. Perhaps He put on that show a few days early just to ensure we got the point, while not interfering with our own festivities tonight.  

Even as we celebrate our independence and our freedom, these same ideals are under attack, but I have hope that the American people, at least enough of us, will realize what is at stake and take appropriate action at the polls in November; and while we’re at it, also turn to God in prayer. As our founding fathers believed, the greatest attacks against this constitutional republic will always come from within. That is why they took such pains to protect us from ourselves. To the founders, pure democracy was anathema, something to be avoided at all costs. Without the rights, restraints, and boundaries defined in our Constitution, our nation would have devolved into a tyrannical state in which an uncontrolled majority suppressed and persecuted the minority. The tyranny of the majority always leads to destruction, and it usually doesn’t take too long.

So many of those who populate our three branches of government seem to have lost their way and forgotten that their primary task is to serve the people while upholding the Constitution. Too many have been enslaved by a Marxist ideology and appear unable or unwilling to throw off the shackles that bind them to this lie. Others are simply self-serving and see their role in government as a means to satisfy their ambition and material desires. They inevitably choose what is best for them rather than for the nation and it’s people. And some are simply cowards, men and women unable to stand up for what is right and because they are afraid of the attacks that will certainly come their way. These all need our correction, which is why you and I cannot be silent. But more importantly, they need our prayers. 

I hope you all had a happy and glorious Fourth of July, as we celebrate our republic’s 246th birthday. And God bless all the unborn children who will quietly celebrate their independence this year.