A Young World

Have you ever thought about people of the past? No. Really just thought about them? I find it quite interesting how we "modern" and "civilized" people tend to think that we are somehow different or better than people in the past. I'm not sure, but maybe it could be attributed to the Darwin's "Theory" of Evolution. The idea that everything somehow evolves into something better or more specialized.

People in the 21st century tend to think we are better in some way than people in the 20th century. Now granted, some things have changed and some things have improved, at least in first-world countries. We can communicate more easily, and we have better hygiene. There are also numerous technologies that make different tasks simpler. But all those things are externals. How has the person themself changed?

I would argue that any positive change in the human person over the last 2000 years has been the result of Christianity. And peoples that have not experienced positive change or perhaps have progressed backwards have either excluded, resisted, or flat out rejected Christianity. Christianity directs the human person toward virtuous improvement.

So what is going on in the world today? Is western civilization rejecting virtue? Well, virtue sure isn't a popular term any more. It almost appears as if vice or comfort has taken the place of virtue. Self gratification has become our new end. Funny thing is that that doesn't seem too different than how the "modern" world lived 2000 years ago. Perhaps the biggest thing that has changed in 2000 years is the growth in the number of people living for themselves.

Despite two thousand years of evolution, things don't really seem that different for the human person. I mean, for all of our advancement, modern culture still doesn't seem to have a favorable view of Christians or virtue. But now that I think about it, maybe something has changed. Maybe we Christians have changed. Maybe we are less willing to stand up against the powers that be in the name of Christ to defend what is right? Maybe we are less willing to accept persecution? Maybe we are too comfortable?

Just some thoughts.

Today is the feast of St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr. He is famous for the line, "Now you may turn me over, my body is roasted enough on this side." His love for Christ was so great that it won the heart of Rome for Christ in years to come. This feast was one of the highest of the Roman cycle behind the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. Read More