From the Friars: The Lessons of History

The recent bombing of Iran by the United States should have us all on our knees praying the Rosary for peace. And as we celebrate July 4th, Independence Day, this can also be a time to reflect on how we arrived at this moment of crisis. Knowledge of history is helpful to put things in perspective and to practice the important virtue of prudence. This is the ability to do that which is most pleasing to God here and now.

Israel began when God promised the land to Abraham and his descendants. Joshua and the Twelve Tribes took it by force from the Canaanites. They were in turn conquered by the Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks and Romans. Since then, the Jewish people have suffered much persecution and injustice, most especially under the Nazis in Germany. This led to the creation of the modern state of Israel in 1948 after years of illegally smuggling Jews into Palestine and ongoing violent conflict.

The Persian empire, today known as Iran, has very ancient roots. It was the Persian Emperor Cyrus who allowed the Jews to return from the Babylonian exile and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. They were a major power until conquered by Alexander the Great in the 4th century B.C. Persia was conquered by the Arabs in the 7th century A.D. and has since been ruled by Muslim dynasties.

The United States began as colonies of the English, French and Spanish. They took over the land of the natives by force or other means. The Independence from England that we celebrate on July 4th came after a bloody revolution. The New England Protestants were for the most part anti-Catholic and the 19th century wave of immigrants brought harsh reactions, especially against the Irish. There was fear of losing the Yankee Protestant identity of the country. The present crack down on illegal immigrants is also partly rooted in similar fears of losing national identity, e.g. English as the common language.

All human empires have their injustices, some far worse than others. As Catholics we are citizens of God’s Kingdom first. (Phil 3:20) True patriotism must always put His Law first.

We thank Him for our freedom and pray for His guidance and blessing.
Fr. Peter