Folks,
this right here, this so-called ‘debate’ between the candidates running for
Louisiana’s governership, is an embarrassment:
It
is worse than that; it is reprehensible.
It is a complete inversion of what one would find in a Christian society. Every kin-group - and Louisiana is just such
a thing, a small clan within the bigger clan of the South - is first of all a
spiritual being, though its religion is expressed through the material. Thus, the material, while not profane or
evil, is of secondary importance. What
is of primary importance is the soul that moves the matter. But these two dimwits, these two dunderheads,
Gov Edwards and Mr Rispone, are keenly intent on murdering the soul of
Louisiana. They desperately want to
drown her in materialism, in rantings about health care, high-tech jobs, taxes,
infrastructure. Their conception of
Louisiana is that she is solely a monetary enterprise, nothing more.
The
subject that should have dominated this debate and every political discussion
is how to make sure Christianity is blossoming among Louisiana’s folks. Without that, nothing else matters. Salvation alone is the measuring rod of
success. Did the Lord not say it: What good is it to gain the whole world yet
forfeit your soul? Here are a few words
from the great preacher St John Chrysostom (+407) to press home the point:
Israel’s spiritual immaturity
is the rationale behind God’s inspiring and motivating His people primarily by
the promise of earthly blessings:
It was especially when the
majority of people were handicapped by limitations that He gave them these
material goods. He led the Jewish
people, at any rate, along such a way of living. Wealth abounded for them, remember, life was
lengthened into old age, all diseases were absent; for those believing in God
there was granted destruction of enemies, profound peace, trophies and victories,
the blessing of large families, and everything of this kind. But when our Lord Jesus Christ came calling
us to heaven and urging us to spurn the here and now, encouraging the love of
those other goods, and detaching us from things of this life, it was
appropriate for these things to be reduced, and all riches to be found instead
in those other things, now that we had become perfect. In the case of children, too, their parents provide
them when still small with such things as footwear and clothing, gold trinkets
and armlets; but when they grow up, they take these things from them and give them
other things of greater importance, reputation in public life, prominence in
high society, confidence in the imperial court, offices and influence, thus
drawing them away from childish ambition.
That is exactly what God did: he
led us away from those trifling and childish things, and promised us the things
of heaven. So do not pine for what is passing
and fleeting, and let not your spirit be stunted.
--Archpriest Josiah Trenham,
Marriage and Virginity According to St. John Chrysostom, St. Herman of
Alaska Brotherhood, 2013, pgs. 124-5
This
debate, and politics in Louisiana in general, prove how spiritually immature
(and worse, how spiritually impoverished) she is, how stunted her spirit really
is. Louisiana’s soul is literally at death’s
door. Through the prayers of her great
intercessor St Martin of Tours, may she be granted forgiveness and
resurrection.
--
Holy Ælfred the Great, King of England,
South Patron, pray for us sinners at the Souð,
unworthy though we are!
Anathema to the Union!
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