He replied, “Legion is my name. There are many of us.” And he pleaded earnestly with him not to drive them away from that territory.
With November's elections behind us once and for all, the resumption of normal political processes, and without the torrent of official falsehoods and deceptions of the Trump era, we can assess the damage done, the present state of affairs, and where to go from here. But even as we move on, we should appreciate Legion's insistence, "There are many of us!" and their plea not to be driven away from that territory.
Racism, macho politics, American exceptionalism: I think of these with the current expression, "the big lie." With biblical imagery we might consider them like the demons, embedded in our native territory. Theologically, they are American variants on Original Sin, which is intractable.
Closer to the core of this big lie is the belief that everyone and anyone can determine truth for themselves. They have no need for divine revelation; with simple logic and reasoning and attention to their conscience -- that still small voice that knows right and wrong -- anyone can discover the right thing to do. When there are conflicts in society, the big lie says, we should only appeal to the reasonable conscience of our opponents. They will readily see they are wrong and come around to our point of view.
This confident belief supposes that all religions are alike, and that the one pan-religion can resolve all moral and ethical issues. Everyone has eaten of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and everyone sees clearly their differences.
The Catholic who believes in the teaching authority of the Church in matters of faith and morals knows that life is far more complicated than that. We recognize the need for prayer, study, dialogue, time, and reflection as we are confronted with ethical challenges. One's feelings are important but they're not even close to an infallible guide through difficult choices. The Catholic Church invests time, personnel, and money in exploring moral issues. Trained experts keep abreast of scientific developments, especially in medical care, end-of-life issues and human reproductive technologies. They provide guidance to bishops, pastors, chaplains, and teachers.
Catholic universities also study ethical issues relating to warfare, the environment, economics, ethnology, and biology. There is hardly a facet of human life which does not require moral/ethical sensitivity.
We try to develop a right conscience to guide us through our daily lives but there are always questions beyond our ken. They require respectful attention and a degree of humility. Often confronted by these perplexing issues we must admit, "I don't know what to do!" as we seek advice and guidance from respected advisors.
As Jesus ascended into heaven he anointed his disciples in the Holy Spirit. That Spirit is trustworthy and, in the papacy, is infallible.
Today many people assume that institutions of government, science, the news media, medicine, pharmacology, the military, etc. are by definition untrustworthy. In that misguided conviction, they go searching to the least reliable sources on the Internet for guidance. And that's where they encounter the innumerable demons of Legion.
Catholics trust our institutional Church and the infallible Spirit that guides her. There is no higher authority in this world.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.