The Voices We Obey

The police surrounded us, about 300 students in all.  Packed tightly, there was no escape, and I wondered what ever possessed me to walk to the Commons knowing that a) I had no class to attend, and b) another riotous event was intensifying.  I was young, curious, bold.  I was immature, haughty, and indignant.  I also listened to my dorm roommate. 

Then a ranting female next to me uttered a crude remark to a helmeted officer two feet away.  I pictured a swinging baton that would hit me and miss her.  Fortunately, he remained calm and voiceless, simply standing his ground.  In a while, the ring of police dissipated, and we were excused.   I would love to say that I “grew up” immediately thereafter, but it took a while longer.   Still, thankfully my parents had given me the foundation of Faith to which to return, including the voice of Truth, the voice of God.

Fast forward to 2026 and a woman sitting in an SUV blocks a street occupied by ICE.  She had no business there, and the environment was tense.  Though not young, on some level, she was immature haughty, and indignant.  She also listened to her roommate, civilly identified as a wife.  She died because she listened to a rebel, not  rightful authority.  I do not know about this deceased’s upbringing, but, she is representative of at least three generations of significantly weakening inculturation of reliable knowledge and understanding.

 
I and many of my generation were blessed to be held accountable by the majority of conscientious adults in our midst.  Not all were Catholic, but they had developed consciences and listened to the Word and pursued virtue.  Even so called liberals held some high standards about conduct and the rule of law, respected the Ten Commandments, and knew that obedience to authority ensured stability and a civilized society.  

 
While a spirit of rebellion intercepted my moral development, it did not destroy it, thanks to remnants of insights to rightful authority and obedience.  To whom we listen—root meaning of obey— is paramount, for from that flows all the fruit or rot of our existence.

 
Tragically, in 2026, the persons through whom wise counsel and warnings of temporal and eternal consequences should have proceeded failed in their own lack of maturity and habits of vice.  Instead, millions—some aging rather badly—continue to wallow in self pity contrasted by avarice; rely on group think for morality; excuse even evil behavior as compassionate; inflict self degradation for humility; confuse aggression for courage; and perpetuate grievance for justice. Prudence is outright rejected as rigidity

 
These lost souls—literally— not only lack an informed conscience, their abysmally poor thinking and impulsive, self satisfying behavior are reinforced, if not advanced,  by morally deprived and corrupt elected and appointed government representatives.   

 
The evil doers may quote Scripture, but generally only a few worn lines used in propaganda to soothe and appease the masses, making them comfortable in their disobedience to legitimate authority under God.  So, the easily swayed, often immersed in envy,  absent disciplined self governance, turn to and depend upon worldly messiahs for relieve and reward.  They either ignore, reject, or contort trustworthy spiritual advisors of the psst and today.  

 
Speaking of knowing the truly wise man,  St. Francis de Sales noted five hundred years ago:  “We must observe whether his abilities tend to humility, modesty and obedience, for in that case they will be truly good.  If they float on the surface and seek to show themselves, they are less genuine insofar as they are showy.  (St. Francis de Sales:  “introduction to the Devout Life”  Part III, Chapter 4)

 
Sage elected and appointed officials would recognize and live the following words:   Christ:  My child, as much as you can abandon your self- love, so much will you be able to enter into Me.  As the longing for nothing exterior brings you peace, so does the complete surrender of your inmost self unite you with God.  You must learn perfect renunciation of your will to Mine, without contradiction or complaint.  (“Imitation of Christ,” Book Three Interior Conversion, Chapter 56).  Rightful obedience!

 
Yet, most tragic of all is the final destination of persons wallowing in misery, a hell on Earth, only to lose eternal joy.  Is it not bad enough that millions of Americans experience grave instability and suffering from failed government across the country?   I contemplated this with the recent death of an immigration “warrior,” who top-tier government powers had sinfully emboldened to defy law and order to the extreme of intentionally, potentially harming others, if not killing them   I continue to grieve, not that I cannot judge her or anyone’s soul.  Yet, there is the true Judge, the One Who is, has already been most clear on that which leads to perdition.  To die in spiritual darkness is the most tragic outcome of reckless governing—root meaning of govern, “to steer”, in this case right off a cliff.

 
Going forward, my prayers, while still pleading Divine Mercy, must focus on my fellow citizens to recognize their ignorance at best, and outright obstinance and rejection of Truth, at worst, and insist upon genuine leaders who prioritize their well being here but also forever.  I pray for both the rise and acceptance of genuinely faithful leaders that they listen to the one, true Voice leading them to genuine peace of soul and mind.