2009 Times That Try Men's Souls
Thoughts for the First Week of July 2009 by Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy/ Reformed
Catholic Church International of New England
www.missionstsergius.org
Mission_St_Sergious@... With an acknowledgement to Thomas Paine,
who throughout most of his life inspired passion through his writings
but also brought him great criticism, I summit that again in history our
nation is facing a time of crisis. Paine communicated the ideas of the
Revolution to common farmers and intellectuals alike, creating prose
that stirred the hearts of the fledgling United States. Paine had a
grand vision for society: he was staunchly anti-slavery, and he was one
of the first to advocate a world peace organization and social security
for the poor and elderly. I also believe that our nation cannot ignore
the plight of so many who have been, through no fault of their own, cast
into poverty. Some who considered themselves comfortable have now found
that they struggle to take care of the bare necessities of life because
of the avarice of a minority of corporate, bank, the wealthy and a few
government leaders.
I have chosen to paraphrase Paine's very famous battle cry from THE
CRISIS to show the relationship between his time and ours. I have used
most of his original words changing some things to relate to today and
adding others. I believe that we, in this nation, are facing a time
when some who proclaim they are Christians and other more dangerous
persons who are interested only in power and wealth are denying many of
the basic values our founding fathers had when they established our
constitution.
The following is my paraphrasing of a great statesman's words The
words in Italicize are Paine's words those in bold CAPITAL LETTERS are
my changes and/or additions to Paine`s original.
On December 23, 1776 Paine wrote; "These are the times that try men's
souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis,
shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now,
deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is
not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the
harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too
cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing
its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it
would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not
be highly rated. THE UNITED STATES AND ANY OTHER COUNTRY with an army to
enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right TO ENFORCE ITS
WILL AND CUSTOMS UPON OTHER PEOPLES and if being bound in that manner,
is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth.
Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only
to God. THE GOD WHO CREATED ALL THINGS AND GAVE HIS ONLY BELOVED SON TO
US TO TEACH US HOW TO LOVE AND RESPECT EACH OTHER WOULD NOT APPROVE OF
HOW THIS NATION IS DENYING CITIZENS EQUAL RIGHTS OR HOW THEY DEPRIVE
IT'S CITIZENS OF AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE AND DECENT HOUSING BUT SPEND
BILLIONS TO WAGE WAR AGAINST OTHER COUNTRIES AND EXPEND THE LIVES OF OUR
YOUTH AND FUTURE……"As all men allow the measure, and differ only in
their opinion of the time, TO IMPLEMENT EQUALITY AND JUSTICE TO ALL
INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD let us, in order to remove mistakes,
take a general survey of things, and endeavor, if possible, to find out
the very time TO BEGIN WORKING TOWARD THIS GOAL. With the blessings of
peace, independence, and an universal commerce, the states, individually
and collectively, will have leisure and opportunity to regulate and
establish their domestic concerns, and to put it beyond the power of
calumny to throw the least reflection on their honor. Character is much
easier kept than recovered, and that man, if any such there be, who,
from sinister views, or littleness of soul, lends unseen his hand to
injure it, contrives a wound it will never be in his power to heal. WHEN
PEOPLE ARE BEING DENIED EQUAL RIGHTS BECAUSE OF THEIR SOCIAL CONDITION,
AGE OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION THERE IS NO JUSTICE. As we have established an
inheritance for posterity, let that inheritance descend, with every mark
of an honorable conveyance. The little it will cost, compared with the
worth of the states, the greatness of the object, and the value of the
national character, will be a profitable exchange.
On April 19, 1783 Paine wrote the following:
"The Declaration of Independence, made it impossible for me, feeling
as I did, to be silent: and if, in the course of more than FIVE years, I
have rendered any service, I have likewise added something to the
reputation of literature, by freely and disinterestedly employing it in
the great cause of SPREADING THE WORD OF GOD'S INFINITE MERCY AND
LOVE FOR ALL HIS CHILDREN AND THE NEED FOR ALL OF US TO CARE FOR EACH
OTHER. I HAVE PREACHED FAIRNESS, AND END TO POVERTY, INJUSTICE, GENOCIDE
AND WAR AND PREACHED COMPASSION FOR THE AGED, POOR, SICK AND OUR YOUTH
WHO ARE THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD. Independence always appeared to me
practicable and probable, provided the sentiment of the country could be
formed and held to the OBJECTIVE GOAL: and there is no instance in the
world, where a people so COMMITTED, and wedded to THIS TYPE of thinking,
and under such a variety of circumstances, were so instantly and
effectually pervaded, by a turn in politics, as in the case of OUR
RECENT ELECTION; and who supported THE SAME opinion, AND IDEALS
undiminished, CANNOT ACHIEVE EQUALITY AND JUSTICE through such a
succession of BOTH good and ill fortune, till they HAVE crowned it with
success…I have taken and acted, and have a gratitude to GOD, nature
and providence for putting it in my power to be of some use to mankind.
I pray that I may be given the strength, resources, will and inspiration
to continue to try, in my simple way, to serve Almighty God and all of
His children that come across my path on this life journey
I believe the time is now for all of us to evaluate how and where our
country is heading and speak up for equal rights and justice for ALL THE
PEOPLE of this nation and the world. AMEN


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]