What is it about human beings and their desire for total control?
We think we can evade suffering. The problem is–here on earth–death is intermingled with life, making this impossible.
Let’s explore one dominant form of this control that has somehow wormed its way into many societies around the world, including our own.
But first, we must define terms.
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, collectivism is the social construct whereby “individuals are subordinated as part to the whole” (Catholicculture.org).
Because of this, collectivism is the inversion of Catholic social teaching, which acknowledges the state should be at the service of the individual, in solidarity with his inherent dignity for the common good.
The “common good” is the flourishing of the human person, families, communities, and nations (Pacem in Terris, Pope St. John XXIII).
That means that the secular governing body (the state) has the moral obligation to serve and protect its own people without interfering with the lower order of communities, families, etc.
This principle is the called the principle of subsidiarity.
For example, it is morally prohibitive for a government to attempt to replace fathers who are able to work, or mothers in rearing their children. Why?
The responsibility of providing for and raising children belongs to families alone.
Government interference undermines the inherent authority structure of a father and mother and subverts the family unit by being a preverbal “sugar-daddy”, “welfare” state, or a “nanny” state (Catholicculture.org).
It also crushes authentic charity and local resources by inhibiting relatives, churches, local law enforcement, and other professionals who could assist a struggling family in crisis.
In this way, collectivism creates a grave social overreach that causes an unhealthy dependency on government intervention that actually prevents the flourishing of families.
It also leaves families vulnerable to abuse. In collectivist societies, the government determines the worth of the human person.
This grave error has disastrous consequences because collectivism rests on the lie that we can be “good” or benevolent without Christ–that we can find freedom, joy, and peace without Him.
This has, and always will be the lie of the collective atheistic social republics.
The good news is, by God’s mercy, this deception is being stripped away.
And are we surprised? Throughout human history, God is always the One who rescues us from deception and death.
So, what are we to do?
A Christian’s highest duty is to obey and worship God alone, and in the way He commanded us to worship Him.
When we don’t do this, we are left vulnerable to various forms of tyranny.
Collectivism will always be a form of tyranny; it is the ultimate master-slave paradigm.
Like a creeping vine, it chokes out human initiative, ingenuity, creativity, human expression, innate individual rights, and genuine charity.
Why? Because these cannot be mandated, manufactured or harvested, but flow from God alone.
Likewise, human beings should not be mandated, manufactured or harvested, but should flow from the love of two married individuals–a man and a woman–who participate in God’s divine love.
Anything else is a degradation and abuse.
A Christian also knows that God has given each of us an inherent individual right to life, liberty and property, and that only He has the right to take these away.
Knowing all this, why on earth would anyone fall into the trap of believing collectivism is a good thing for any society to adopt?
Like any lie, it is disguised with portions of the truth. And it promises comforts it could never (and would never) provide: security and equal access of goods and services for all.
The truth is, the world has never worked this way. We were not designed for homogeneity but distinctness and (dare I say it), diversity. Everything has a unique design and purpose ordained by God.
We are each equal in dignity but different in that we possess various kinds and degrees of talents, graces, and abilities.
The second lie is that everyone will be treated equally under the law.
The temptation to believe this is almost irresistible today. Yet, collectivism brings about just the opposite.
Even in Christ’s time, the high priest, Caiaphas, unknowingly prophesied this important truth that still repeats itself today:
“You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed.“
It turns out the opposite happened: Silencing the One Who gives life resulted in the Siege of Jerusalem in 70 A.D, resulting in the tragic murder of thousands, and effectively ending the Old Covenant animal sacrifices. Knowing this would happen, Christ shed tears right before He suffered His Passion and death, lamenting:
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”
And,
“Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.”
Caiaphas’ declaration illustrates the collectivist’s mindset, which promises equal rights for all while silencing those who oppose it, or those who are inconvenient (such as in the shocking murder of Noelia Castillo Ramos and the harvesting of her organs).
For each one of us, rejecting Christ results in our eternal death.
And, like in the time of Christ, deceit and murder are still the sins of choice for those in power.
Are we surprised? Satan is the master deceiver and murderer. Even now, he tries to take down the “children of light” (Eph 5:8).
But God is always a step ahead.
Amid the darkness, He has quietly been recruiting armies of young Catholics, giving them the grace of conversion.
Record-breaking numbers of young Catholics came into the Church on Easter Vigil all over the world, reminding us that God is life, and that life will be victorious.
It always has been…even with death intermingled.
“You set other men to rule over us –
but we passed through fire and water,
and you led us out to our rest.”
Ps 66:12 (JB)
Have a blessed Easter Octave!
Christus Rex oritur!