Halt the Descension

Some months ago I read a long quote about the current generation.

It lamented that the current generation isn’t as respectful, or responsible 

As the ones before it.

It said that the current generation was losing the values 

And the spirit of its predecessors.

It spoke of political, social and economic decline.

And of the erosion of morality and spirituality.

Reading along, it was easy to think of examples of failings in all those areas.

It seemed to be a pessimistic, but arguably accurate, 

Assessment of our current world.

Look at the loss of civility.

The gross economic inequalities.

Look at the wars and terrorism.

Look at the spread of fear and hate.

The willingness to refuse help to those in need.

Then the article noted that the quote was actually from the 1700’s.

And mentioned a very similar quote that was attributed to Socrates,

In 400 BC.

The real message was that the human condition 

Hasn’t changed that much over time.

The same complaints and criticisms that were valid thousands of years ago 

Are still valid today.

All generations, like all people, have their strengths and weaknesses.

Their good and their bad.

In the Reading from the Acts of the Apostles,

Peter exhorted his listeners:

Save yourselves from this corrupt generation. 

The corrupt generation that had just crucified Jesus.

Of course, that corrupt generation also included Peter himself.

And Mary Magadalene, and the other Apostles and many other saints-to-be.

In fact, thousands listening to Peter were cut to the heart 

At the realization of what they’d done.

And they leapt at the opportunity for forgiveness 

And to receive the Holy Spirit.

To claim what he called the promise made to you and to your children 

And to all those far off.

They were converted and baptized that very day.

Now, here we are, 6,000 miles and 2,000 years 

From that generation in Jerusalem.

We’re clearly among those who Peter referred to as far off.

And, as he realized, we too have received the promise and the Spirit.

And we too still need the timeless exhortation 

That he spoke to that Pentecost crowd.

Save yourselves from this corrupt generation. 

But, having ourselves already received the Holy Spirit, 

We’re called to go a step further.

We’re called to pick up the work of Peter himself.

The work of Jesus himself.

The added call to us is:

Devote yourselves to saving this corrupt generation.

Tuesday Octave of Easter

Jn 20:11-18   Acts 2:36-41     Read this Scripture @usccb.org