Our Lady of Sorrows, Pray for Us.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I’d like to talk to you today about Socialism and a tendency that many people have fallen into over the past 100 years or so. This proclivity is so insidious and is such a phantom that we all are guilty of it to some degree. It is the error of trying to establish an earthly paradise, a utopia. Now, there’s certainly nothing wrong with working for the common good and helping our fellow man better his lot in life. As Christians, we are called to do this. The problem occurs when human beings feel that we have the intelligence and the power to fix every problem that comes along, often at the expense of other human beings, without the graces and help of the Almighty. We read in Genesis 3 that after being expelled from the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had a hard life. They had to make their living by the sweat of their brows and suffering, pain and death were introduced into the world. Because our forefathers had such hard lives, they set their eyes on the real paradise, heaven, and tried to live their lives in such a way that they had a real hope of one day going there! It seems to me that hardships like those suffered by our forefathers, breeds a sort of humility in a person. One sees that life often entails suffering and accepts this as part of the testing that we must go through to be perfected for our heavenly home. Scripture speaks of this:
James 1: 2-4: Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:12 : Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Proverbs 17:3 : The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.
The 20th century changed all of this, with a multitude of inventions and scientific discoveries that made life easier and longer. For example, in 1900 the average lifespan in the U.S. was about 45; in 1950 about 65; and in 2020 about 80. With the world moving forward in such a positive way, man’s humility and reliance on God to get him through this “valley of tears” began to change to one of pride for his many accomplishments and discoveries … seemingly without God. This very subtle turning away from God and turning toward man, this sly rebellion, which first reared its ugly head in the French Revolution of 1789, and developed throughout the 19th century, became the scourge we call Socialism.
I know that there are many sincere people who vote for Socialists because they feel that their candidates will usher in a society whereby there will be no more inequality, no more racism, no more poverty, etc. If we look at Socialism, which claims to promise us a fairer, more just, more equitable world, we know from historical record that not only does it not work, but it is forbidden for us as Catholics to embrace this ideology. Numerous popes starting with Pope Leo XIII have written extensively about the incompatibility of Catholicism and Socialism. Pope John XXIII stated that, “no Catholic can subscribe to even moderate Socialism.” My friends, we need to long for heaven; to yearn for it! If we create our paradise here, our human nature grows lazy and rebellious against the rigorous demands of our faith. This is why so many of the political movements that promise utopia end up being atheistic or anti-Christian. Based on all that we have seen lately in our country and our world, I am wondering if we are not in the time foreseen by Sister Lucia in the “Third Secret” which was partially released 20 years ago. If we are, and even if we are not, we need to pray like we’ve never prayed before for our Church, country and world. May God bless you all.
—Fr. Epperson
Announcements
RCIA SPONSORS NEEDED Several RCIA participants are in need of sponsors. If you are interested in volunteering for this vital role, please contact the parish office at 542-6984, ext 10 or come to the RCIA class next Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in the Becker Center, Brinker Room.
ST. EUGENE’S GIFT SHOP & BOOKSTORE IS MOVING! Our Gift Shop/Bookstore will be closed this week, so that we can relocate all of our stock to our new location in the Faith room of the Parish Life Center (PLC). The new, much larger shop will be up and running this Saturday, Sept. 26! Please stop in and see all that we have to offer! Regular hours: Wed. – Sat., 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 pm; Sundays – 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Parish Finances in the Age of Covid
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Jan-Aug Finances
Income $309,480.06
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