Reflections

I just picked Reflections on the Psalms by C.S. Lewis off the shelf. I am not the biggest fan of the Psalms so I was reticent to delve into it, but I am finding Lewis to once again be a very helpful guide. I was struck this morning by his insights. Regarding "The Cursings", Lewis pens,

It seems that there is a general rule in the moral universe which may be formulated "The higher, the more in danger . . . It is great men, potential saints, not little men, who become merciless fanatics. Those who are readiest to die for a cause may easily become those who are readiest to kill for it . .. The higher the stakes, the greater the temptation to lose your temper over the game.

If I am never tempted, and cannot imagine myself being tempted, to gamble, that does not mean that I am better than those who are. The timidity and pessimism which exempt me from that temptation themselves tempt me to draw back from those risks and adventures which every man ought to take.

For the Supernatural, entering a human soul, opens to it new possibilities both of good and evil. From that point the road branches: one way to sanctity, love, humility and the other to spiritual pride, self-righteousness, persecuting zeal. And no way back to the humdrum virtues and vices of the unawakened soul. If the Divine call does not make us better, it will make us very much worse. Of all bad men religious bad men are the worst. Of all created beings the wickedest is one who originally stood in the immediate presence of God. There seems no way out of this. It gives a new application to Our Lord's words about "counting the cost."

Partisan Radio

The other night I was driving home from class and flipped through stations on AM radio. For a few minutes I listened to a conservative show (I think it was Shawn Hannity), and later I listened to a liberal show. It was really quite comical. Both sides were fully convinced that their opponents were equal parts ignorant and evil. At one point a more sensible and moderate caller got on and said something along the lines of , "I don't think [insert party name here] took this position just because they are evil and hate America. They probably have a reason for their position." At which point the commentator started backpedaling and claiming nonpartisanship.

Here are a few points: First, don't get all of your news from just once source, whether it be Fox News, NPR, CNN or the Wall Street Journal. Second, understand that partisan radio shows are not news. They are entertainment and/or propaganda machines. Third, try to allow room for the idea that your political opponents are not evil incarnate who hate everyone and everything while you and your political affiliates are God's gift to the world and will set everything right. Fourth, read the Economist to get an idea of what depth of research and commentary actually looks like from a news source.

Thank you and God bless America.