Pat and I have successfully completed a grandson’s high school graduation trip for Colton, with Hunter standing in for Chase who instead entered High Point University in North Carolina for summer school. Pat and I decided after taking granddaughter Morgan to London that seeing the National Parks in America would be our destination for grandchildren after each high school graduation. Of course, the primary reason for the trip is to get to spend some quality time with each grandchild before each is off to college and the transition to adulthood.
After landing in Billings, Montana, it was on to Red Lodge to see the Pig Races (that’s right, Pig Races), enjoy the Champions Rodeo and 4th of July parade. Love of country and pride in America and our military was beautifully on display.
Then over Beartooth Pass seeing the “big country with its switchbacks” and on into Yellowstone National Park where the 100th Anniversary of our national park system was in full swing. Old Faithful performed with water gushing and steam rising to great height.
Continuing in Wyoming and the Grand Teton National Park we saw considerable wildlife – deer, elk, bison, prairie dogs, but no bear (the bear spray repellant must have scared them away). Lots of hiking for all and horseback riding and fly-fishing lessons for the boys in Jackson Hole. Got to enjoy two lovely churches, St. Ann’s in Red Lodge and Our Lady of the Mountains in Jackson Hole.
Love and the guidance of the Holy Spirit
There was lots of driving, plenty of time for lively discussion and listening to selected music via Bluetooth. I was taken by the lyrics of some John Denver and other golden oldies which speak about life and even help us to think about what is happening in and to America today.
“What’s it all about Alfie? I believe in love. Just as sure as there is a heaven above. And follow the golden rule. Looking for experience to find who I am. It’s hard for me to believe in you. Looking for something I can believe in and something I can do with my life. I don’t know where I’m going, don’t know where I’ve been. There is a spirit to guide me. I don’t know what the future holds. Come let me love you, let me give my life to you. You fill up my senses like a walk in the rain. You don’t know what you have lost until it is gone”.
These lyrics give hope and inspiration and the recognition that human relationships allow us to love one another. It is that love with the guidance of the Holy Spirit that makes life worth living.
What’s happening in America these days?
It is the last lyrical sentence in the song quoted above that gives me pause and takes me back to the questions that I raised in last month’s article to be answered with my opinion now.
The transformation (radical change) taking place in America in recent years and more being proposed today makes the warning that “you don’t know what you have lost until it is gone” extremely important to not lose the basic truths established by God and in our Constitution by the founding fathers. I believe my answers below address this concern.
It was most appropriate that the gospel at Mass on July 10th was about the “Good Samaritan” (see Luke 10:25-37). It reminds us to ask ourselves which of those persons in the story is each of us, and how would each of us respond in that situation.
Again, I must state my personal belief that, we as individuals and as a country have a moral obligation to help all people in need, regardless of religious affiliation, who are being tortured, persecuted or otherwise have their life in danger. However, there are limitations and priorities which must be considered.
Following are the questions again and my personal opinion in response.
Follow the example of the Good Samaritan in the Bible
How did the Good Samaritan help the injured man he found on the side of the road? He picked him up and took him to a nearby inn and paid for his care until he recovered.
Where did the Good Samaritan provide the care the injured man needed? At an inn.
Did the Good Samaritan get care locally, or take the injured man out of his home country for care? Locally.
Did the Good Samaritan help but then abandon him? No, he told the innkeeper to continue his care and he would pay for the care if it exceeded the initial amount paid.
Did the Good Samaritan take the injured man to the Good Samaritan’s own home? No.
How would St. Thomas Aquinas answer these questions? Upon reading Thomas Aquinas, I believe he would have stated that Christian nations should receive Christian refugees but refuse Muslim refugees for the sake of national justice and the common good.
Who should take priority, people suffering in America or persons from foreign countries? People suffering in America.
Should persons from foreign countries needing help be helped in their own country or be brought to America? Helped in their own country.
If persons are brought to America should they be screened for security reasons? Yes.
If a certain group of people are identified as a security risk should that group be profiled to address safety and security? Yes.
Now you have my answers to these questions. Please share your answers. Your answer to these questions, with God’s guidance, could shape the future direction of America.
We are in perilous times in America.
History should have taught us that were it not for the Battle of Lepanto, Muslims might have conquered Europe in 1571.
Again, Muslims caused the Barbary Coast War in 1801 by ransoming American merchant sailors and nearly 20% of the U.S. budget was going to pay for their release until President Thomas Jefferson had had enough, formed the marines and sent them to Tripoli to get the sailors released and a treaty to stop the piracy.
The actions of radical Muslims have not been peaceful. Why should we believe that in the future radical Muslims will be peaceful?
The words of our first President George Washington warn us about what will happen to our national morality when religious principle is excluded:
“Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”
Again, the words of George Washington tell how we secure peace through at all times being ready for war:
“If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for War.”
There are a group of other questions we should explore in light of events happening in Europe and America at this time. We will take that up next month.
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Timothy Von Dohlen is the founder and president of the John Paul II Life Center and Vitae Clinic in Austin, Texas. (www.jpiilifecenter.org) For a more robust bio, click here— www.catholicbusinessjournal.biz/content/tim-von-dohlen. He may be reached at Timothy@CatholicBusinessJournal.biz