In a few weeks under the COVID-19 crisis, governments have changed Canada and the United States in ways that socialism has been trying to do for over 150 years.
One of my major concerns is that we have, within a few short weeks, become more government dependent as a nation than at any other time in the history of our democracy. We could never have ever imagined something like this happening so fast. Almost every sector of our economy has become dependent on government financial aid, including individuals who have opted to give up paid jobs because they can receive more on government aid than by working.
What has been advocated to be introduced, and implemented, since the advent of socialism 150-200 yrs ago, has in the course of a few short weeks, become ‘common’ in both Canada and the US. I believe this will not bode well for coming out of this pandemic crisis and the economic recovery. We have mortgaged, not only the future of our grandchildren to the hilt with the massive debt load, but I think it will prove to have been a ‘mortgaging’ of our very souls, as well.
The demand for limited resources to be stretched to provide guaranteed income support for all Canadians will have a deleterious impact on our Canadian economy and the ability for government to finance it, and recover, and deal with massive, overwhelming debt.
Saving Health Care Resources by Moving MAiD from Voluntary to Mandatory
The expectation on the part of the many to maintain the dependence on government support will require excessive draws on limited government financial resources. [And, I foresee that resulting in the decision for cuts to healthcare that will make it expedient to move Medical Aid in Dying — Doctor assisted suicide — from the realm of being voluntary to being mandatory.]
The inability for government to meet all the demands for ongoing financial support could well end in social chaos and violence, with everyone demanding the same level of access to all resources, even if it means wresting them out of my neighbors hands with force.
This “Unprecedented Time” – Not Unprecedented
History has shown that this is typical of such a scenario…think Nazi Germany in the 1930’s….the economic conditions, prepared the German people to accept government control and social engineering at an unprecedented level, in ways that afterwards left people shaking their heads, saying, “How could this have happened in such a civilized, educated, sophisticated society?” [Remember, that the killing that eventually moved into the holocaust, and the loss of 6 million lives, began with euthanizing the most vulnerable, the ‘undesirables’ — those who were not productive to the economy, but rather a drain on limited, depression economy resources.
Biblical Quotes and Inspirational Thoughts to Put Steel in Our Souls
That being said, here are some scriptures, and comments, that I think are relevant for us today as we negotiate this unprecedented time and the challenges to our individual and personal spiritual walks. I believe these speak to how we must live our personal lives given these current times, and in order to be ready for what lies ahead.
From Revelation 3, quoted in the Catholic Office of Readings recently, to two of the churches:
To the church of Philadelphia: Rev. 3: 8, 10-11, 12a
“‘I know your deeds; that is why I have left an open door which no one can close. I know that your strength is limited; yet you have held fast to my word and have not denied my name….Because you have kept my plea to stand fast, I will keep you safe in the time of trial which is coming on the whole world, to test all men on earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have lest someone rob you of your crown.
‘I will make the victor a pillar in the temple of my God and he shall never leave it.'”
To the church of Laodicea: Rev. 3: 15-16, 17,19, 20-21a
“‘I know your deeds; I know you are neither hot nor cold….But, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spew you out of my mouth|! You keep saying, “I am rich and secure and want for nothing.” Little do you realize how wretched you are, how pitiable and poor, how blind and naked….
“‘Whoever is dear to me I reprove and chastise.. Be earnest about it, therefor. Repent.
“‘Here I stand, knocking at the door. If anyone hears me calling and opens the door, I will enter his house and have supper with him, and he with me. I will give the victor the right to sit with me on my throne…..'”
And, from Oswald Chambers, known best as the author of “My Utmost for His Highest”, writing in “Devotions for a Deeper Life”:
“If you think that your obedience, your repentance, or your morality is going to get you nearer to Jesus Christ, you are making a mistake. Intimacy with Christ comes only by abandoning yourself to Him.
“Your crying out to God will not save you. Surrendering your possessions will not save you. You may give God everything you like and still be damned. God never asked you to give him anything but your will.
“The only barrier to your salvation is yourself….Yet all depends on whether you submit your will to Him.
“Some people are more concerned about being in earnest than about being in God’s will.”
And, finally, from “A Daily Catholic Moment: 10 Minutes Alone with God”:
Rom.12:2 – Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV)
“The key to living in the here and now is awareness of what we are doing and acceptance of what is going on beyond the surface appearances. This daily discipline is difficult and takes practice. It requires that we be sensitive to what we are experiencing, accept the person before us without judgment, savor and enjoy what surrounds us, and deal with interruptions and change of plans with grace and peace. When we live fully in the here and now, we reverence the holiness of each action of our daily routine. Why? Because we are convinced that this moment is God’s ambassador that reveals the divine will for us in the here and now. Generously accepting the present moment, we can then gratefully bow to receive its blessings.” Sr. Bridget Haase, OSU
Devotional Thought (addended to her comments): Is there anything keeping me from living in the here and now, today?
May He keep us in peace, in the ‘here and now’ of our day, which, really, is preparation for whatever tomorrow brings to us.
Ending Our Life Well 