Inglorious Nation

The movie "Inglorious Bastards" won at the weekend box office, taking in over $30 million. The bloody plot is all about killing nazis in creative, telegenic ways. Quentin Tarantino, the director, seems to be in old form stirring up this gory spectacle. Brad Pitt earned a healthy sum as star, and his character lived up to Brad's recent declaration that he doesn't believe in God. Not believing in God/Jesus frees us to simply believe in the righteousness of ourselves, our actions, our motives. Certainly this is a picture of our original sin.

Violence is America's apple pie, with ice cream. The American people have over 200 million guns in their homes. Over 30,000 people die of gun shots each year, more than nearly all other nations combined, perhaps all. We have our military presence in over 130 countries, as well as fighting two wars of choice in Iraq and Afghanistan/Pakistan. We can count on some crazy shooting up a workplace, a home, or a school a few times each year. Put it on your calendar. MSNBC has a ratings bonanza with its "Lock-Up" weekenders. People are showing up at President Obama's town halls with sidearms and assault rifles. Fox news speaks of "amped up" Americans who are "taking the extra step and getting the gun out". Then there are the holocaust murderer and the killer of "Tiller the Baby Killer". Problem solving run amok! I must admit to celebrating when I heard the host of "Hardball", Chris Matthews, as he interviewed the gun-totting sign holder, ask him, (paraphrase), "Don't you know the history of our nation and people bringing a god-d----gun into the presence of the President of the United States?"

The June 29 issue of The New Yorker carried an article by Lauren Collins called "Over There-Blam". She wrote of the marriage of military, music, and violence. Specifically, she cited a recent book "Sound Targets: American soldiers and Music in the Iraq War", "...which examines the role of music in military recruiting, combat, interrogations, and morale...." One soldier, Colby Buzzell, an M240 Bravo machine gunner says, "I'd listen to Slayer to get all into it". Another, from the Fourth Infantry Division, says "LilJon's 'I don't Give a F---' was an anthem-soldiers called it their 'getting cranked' song, and they would chant its refrain until they were ready to leave the base". Eminen provided another crank song, "Die, motherf----, die".

And now there is violence over health care! Health care! What ought to be the domain of compassionate, gentle civility, has become a battleground for venting frustrations over you name it! Hatred! Fear! If ever there was a time for the Church to step up its witness, it is now.

The Psalm for this Sunday is Psalm 15:

O Lord, who may abide in your tent?

Who may dwell on your holy hill?

Those who walk blamelessley, and do what is right.

and speak the truth from their heart;

who do not slander with their tongue,

and do no evil to their friends,

nor take up reproach against their neighbors;....

We are given the Sermon on the Mount, and the grace to love the enemy. Our liturgies sing of the mercy of God and each of us being expressions of God's mercy. A truly great song, "The Canticle of the Turning" by Rory Cooney, based on the "Magnificat", shouts: "My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn." To the ramparts! Sing a different song! Fight with weapons of the Spirit!

Peace!

Ron