As an addendum to my recent thoughts on the Occupy Wall Street movement and the general feeling of discontent throughout the country at this particular point in time, I offer this advice - occupy the churches. Pray in God's house, receive God's grace through the mass and confession, adore Jesus in the Eucharist during adoration and benediction - these are the medicines for our societal ills. We are not facing just an economic crises. We are facing an economic crises based on a moral collapse that's been going on for decades now. We have created an environment where, as one commentator said "Everyone thought they could screw everyone else over and everyone would end up rich." The proverbial chickens are coming home to roost, I'm afraid.
I am reminded of St. Augustine's magnum opus The City of God wherein the great doctor of the Church contrasts the decaying Roman Empire where he lived with the eternity of God's presence in the Church. The city of God will always outlast any city of Man, no matter how much we would wish it otherwise. The Church - the same church that Augustine was a bishop of - has seen the rise and fall of whole civilizations. Are we so proud to think that our American civilization will have a fate any different from that of Rome, or Byzantium or even the British Empire? Civilizations come and go. God remains the same.
If we make God a priority in life, we will have the strength to deal with whatever disasters befall the city of Man. Be bold. Go in unto the altar of God, to God who gave joy to your youth!
(Photo Source)