Men of the Legion, yesterday, we shared a reflection that we suspect was provocative and challenging. We, ourselves, had to eat some humble pie as we read Venerable Fulton Sheen’s reflection and prepared that message to you. As Bishop Paprocki notes in his homily, GK Chesterton observed that Christianity has not been tried and found wanting, it has been found difficult and not tried.

We see a lot of concerning developments in our political and social climate, and being men of faith, we want to act. But the demands of our Christian faith call us to act in conformity with Christ, as his witnesses to the world.

Today, we share a few things:

• A great segment with Bishop Paprocki on WAND last night
• Matt Fradd’s recent conversation with Scott Hahn about his new book, “Why Civilization is Doomed without True Religion.” 
  
  You can access the video of this conversation on the Pints with Aquinas page.
  
  This conversation is jam-packed with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding—a proper Christian lens through which to interpret the political and social situation of our time.
• Our thoughts on #2, which build on yesterday’s reflection.
  
  Yesterday, we noted two traps set for us as we seek to be in the world but not of the world in these troubled times.  We dug into the second trap (obsessing with our “rights,” scandalizing the weak, and undermining the Gospel).
  
  Today, building on Dr. Hahn’s reflection, we shift back to the first trap: nearsighted obsession with current affairs.  Our reflection on this trap, in light of Dr. Hahn’s insights, follows.

Prisoners of the Moment, Pagans in Christian Clothing

If we could summarize all that Dr. Hahn shares in the discussion linked above, it would be this:  As Christian men and concerned citizens of a great nation, we run the risk of putting the emPHAsis on the wrong sylLAble. When we do so, we are prone to unwittingly cooperate with Satan and work against Christ and his mission. The stakes are high, and this is worth digging into.

Dr. Hahn reminds us, just as we noted yesterday, that Christ’s kingdom is not of this world. As Christians, we must never forget that our citizenship is in the heavenly Jerusalem.  We are mere sojourners in this world, which is fallen and passing away. We are Christians who are naturalized aliens in America. We love our country, but we must never let this love become disordered to the point that we forget our first citizenship.  

What happens when we lose sight of this?

We develop a spiritual and moral nearsightedness.  Our vision becomes clouded.  We become prisoners of the moment. We become like the pagans, who, with no vision of eternity and redemption, see only what is immediately in front of them and are prone to despair and rash action.  We claim faith in words, but lose it in fact, taking matters into our own hands, because we lose trust in God’s providence.

Consider, for example, St. Peter’s propensity toward this nearsightedness and the harsh correction he experiences from Jesus.  When Jesus unveils the plan of his Passion and death, Peter takes him aside and “rebukes” him, saying “this shall never happen to you.” (Mt 16:22)  Jesus forcefully corrects Peter, saying “Get behind me Satan…For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Mt 16: 22-23)

The Lord’s message could not be more clear: he will not tolerate nearsighted pagan-mindedness among his disciples.  He does not pat Peter on the head and say, “Oh, Peter, I love your zeal and passion, but let’s tone it down.”  No, he says, “get behind me Satan.”  Peter becomes a prisoner of the moment and a pagan in Christian clothes. He is unable to see the fullness of Christ’s vision and plan for salvation, which leads him to work against Christ’s own mission.

Can you imagine the pain of hearing those words from our savior? “Get behind me Satan.”  Sit with that for a moment.  Imagine seeing the Lord face to face and hearing those words: “Get behind me Satan.” Jesus is patient and forgiving of repentant sinners.  He is stern with those who think and act like pagans yet wear his mantle and claim discipleship.

Brothers, there is a spirit of lawlessness stirring in our world.  There is a spirit of anarchy, disunity, division. This spirit is Satan, himself, our adversary, who prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Pt 5:8) This spirit is neither a Democrat or a Republican.  This spirit is like an oil slick slathered across our entire political and cultural environment.  Our brothers and sisters who appear to be our enemies are afflicted by this pollution. They are not the enemy; they have been manipulated by the enemy. 

We must not become prisoners of the moment, thinking like men and unwittingly taking up Satan’s own work for him, jumping into the fight and doing our own part to further the discord and hatred.

Once again, we repeat the message from yesterday:  none of this suggests inaction on our part.  All of this, however, suggests that our action must be carefully discerned and united with Christ.

And we must begin with the humble recognition that we are not immune from the toxic waste of Satan’s corruption. We’re in the water, and oil is on us. 

Our first path of action must be one of purification, lest we think and act like pagan’s while wearing Christ’s mantle.

In the words of St. Paul, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rm 12:2) 

That’s our first critical path of action: recognizing the ways in which we are conformed to this world and transforming our mind to be one with Christ.

We’ll pick this theme up tomorrow.