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| The answer to nihilism: faith, hope, & the example of the saints |
Nihilism:
1. a : a viewpoint that traditional values and beliefs are unfounded and that existence is senseless and useless
Nihilism is a condition in which all ultimate values lose their value.
—Ronald H. Nash
—Ronald H. Nash
b : a doctrine that denies any objective ground of truth and especially of moral truths
2. a: a doctrine or belief that conditions in the social organization are so bad as to make destruction desirable for its own sake independent of any constructive program or possibility
2. a: a doctrine or belief that conditions in the social organization are so bad as to make destruction desirable for its own sake independent of any constructive program or possibility
b: capitalized : the program of a 19th century Russian party advocating revolutionary reform and using terrorism and assassination
Well, that certainly describes our modern culture of death doesn't it? Abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, an epidemic of youth suicide. Nihilism tells us life isn't worth living. It's a lie! Faith and hope tell us life is a beautiful gift from God to be used in charity for ourselves and others.
Nihilism gives us murderous anti-heroes like Lenin, Hitler, Mengele, Eichmann, Stalin, Mao, Hugo Chavez, etc. Since nothing really matters, nothing -- no act, no political strategy, no pragmatic decision to advance an agenda -- is too evil to contemplate.
There's an answer to nihilism -- faith and hope.
Faith and hope give us heroes and saints who know life matters and who live for God and others -- St. Therese with her zeal for the missions and her little ways of holiness; St. Patrick, St. Francis, St. Isaac Jogues and all the other great missionaries with their zeal to share God's love in faraway lands; modern heroes like Fr. Patrick Peyton taking his rosary crusades all over the world assuring people that "the family that prays together, stays together." The Christophers with their message that it's better to light one candle than curse the darkness.
Life is beautiful even in the worst of circumstances if we cling to God's promises. Let each of us resolve to be a light to the world and bring that light into our own neighborhoods and the darkest places around us. There are so many who need it.
Lord Jesus, Light of the World, have mercy on us.
Holy Spirit, enlighten our minds.
Mary, Mother of the Light, pray for us.
Thank you so much for this post. How necessary this little reminder is during such times as these. May God bless you and your entire family with holiness and health!
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