G. K. Chesterton on socialism:
"...for my own part, I cannot in the least agree with those who see no difference between Christian and modern Socialism... No reasonable man can read the Sermon on the Mount and think that its tone is not very different from that of the most collectivist speculation of the present day... There is a difference between Christ's Socialist program and that of our own time...
...the modern socialist is saying, 'What will society do?' while his prototype [the Christian]...said, 'What shall I do?' The modern socialist regards his theory of regeneration as a duty which society owes to him, the early Christian regarded it as a duty which he owed to society; the modern socialist is busy framing schemes for its fulfillment, the early Christian was busy considering whether he would himself fulfill it there and then; the ideal of modern socialism is an elaborate Utopia to which he hopes the world may be tending, the ideal of the early Christian was an actual nucleus "living the new life" to whom he might join himself if he liked.
The modern socialist regards Communism as a distant panacea for society, the early Christian regarded it as an immediate and difficult regeneration of himself."
Rejoice, rejoice, believers,
And let your lights appear.
The evening is advancing,
And darker night is near.
- from a hymn by Laurentius Laurenti, in Magnificat, November, 2020
We spoke to a young Polish woman after Mass, who was amazed that America would ever turn socialist. They never thought it could happen here.
The closing hymn at church was Glory, Glory, Hallelujah - I was surprised, but I sang with gusto.
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored
He has loosed the fateful lightening of His terrible swift sword
His truth is marching on.
Glory, glory, hallelujah
Glory, glory, hallelujah
His truth is marching on
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps
I can read His righteous sentence in the dim and flaring lamps
His day is marching on
Glory, glory, hallelujah
Glory glory hallelujah
His truth is marching on
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me
As He died to make men holy let us live to make men free
While God is marching on
Glory, Hallelujah! Amen!
ReplyDeleteA new President. A new era.
Chesterton always speaks such sense - an admirable quote.
You sang with gusto in church! I am so envious. We haven't been allowed to sing in church since March and now we are in lock-down again and the churches are shut once more. Sigh! <3
This new president and this new era are not what I voted for, Clare. But, it seems it must be. As for singing in church, we aren't supposed to, but I do anyway; everybody is wearing masks, and seating is only every third pew, for Pete's sake.
DeleteI'm very sorry you've got lockdown again, though. You've at least got some experience with it. ;-)
An experience I would rather do without, I can tell you! :D
DeleteI didn't think you would have voted for this new president, Lisa. I don't understand your voting system at all but I had a feeling that Biden wouldn't have been your choice. I wish you well. As a God-fearing and practicing Christian I find it extremely difficult to find anyone I really want to vote for. All our politicians seem such hypocrites and self-seeking and sneaky. Hardly any of them have had any experience of the real world with their wealthy upbringing and their university degrees in Politics! Singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic will have , at least, given you a little boost so that you can 'Fight the Good Fight' with God on your side for the next four years! :)
You've got it, Clare! Yes, a career politician is a ridiculous item. :) Over here, though, I think a great majority of them are lawyers, or at least has been for a long time. Not sure what that means. I had no problem voting for Donald Trump, as odd a character as he seems. People seem to have forgotten that it's not a personality they're voting for, but who are these people surrounding themselves with? What do they stand for? He stands for freedom, the Democrats do not. Biden has already said masks for everyone outdoors! Really? No fresh air? It's asinine. It's all about control and making us depend too much on the government. May God have mercy on us.
DeleteChesterton is exactly right. Thank you so much, Lisa.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Gretchen!
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