I am delighted with the news that Gen Z (1996- 2012) is flocking to the Latin Mass. This is great news for my Pre-War generation who, during the 1960/70’s felt astonishment as progressive leaders in Academia, Church and Politics sparked a social revolution when they dumbed down so as to, “appear relevant” to the wider population.” How, and why they thought themselves irrelevant is debatable, and I leave readers to figure that out.
The social revolution of the 1960s did not resolve the old questions about life’s origins, meaning, purpose and destiny but there was a reduction of interest in them. I believe the costs of that neglect are being felt today.
Britain is currently involved in another revolution, and this one is more serious because it uses as its norm, the dumbed down output of the sixties.
I do not despair however, as Gen Z+ is now sowing the seeds of revival. Thanks to the scriptures, the saints and philosophers they see vacuity of purpose all around them.
They are now seeking the Truth behind the creation of life. A life in which we self-consciously identify ourselves in relation to others in a material world, much of which we can measure, delineate and predict. They are seeing the First Cause of all things seen and unseen, as being our creator God.
Others do not believe that. Choosing instead to belief notions of a pre-existing energy force so great as to create an expanding universe of matter. More recently, mathematicians have proposed that mathematics existed prior to the formation of the world and so is ‘somehow’ its cause.
An early and persistent belief is that life began when a bolt of lightning struck a soup of chemicals and created a single living cell. Later theory has that cell merging with a different one to became mitochondria. This is fed by daylight and has a digestive and waste removal system allowing the cell to replicate and hey presto, eventually, plants, woodlice and humans emerge.
The option I choose is the one chosen by Gen Z and many leading scientists. Scientists who risk losing grants, awards, tenure and careers when they acknowledge belief in God, “The maker of all things seen and unseen.”
But let’s move on from this cosmological stuff to simpler issues, such as the loss of control by our civil establishment, over the nation’s law enforcement, economy and borders.
Because they will not agree as to causes; their failure means that ordinary folk have to make their own sense of the chaos, whilst simultaneously retaining perspective and balance. This, I do it by drawing on the satirical humour of Gilbert & Sullivan. In the Operetta Iolanthe, Private Willis, A Sentry outside Parliament ruminates in song on the Intellect of the MP’s.
- When all night long a chap remains on sentry-go, to chase monotony, He exercises of his brains That is, assuming that he’s got any
Though never nurtured in the lap of luxury, yet I admonish you I am an intellectual chap
And think of things that would astonish you - [Chorus]
I often think it’s comical – Fal, lal, la! How Nature always does contrive – Fal, lal, la! That every boy and every gal
That’s born into the world alive
Is either a little Liberal
Or else a little Conservative!
Fal, lal, la! - When in that House MP’s divide If they’ve a brain and cerebеllum, too
They’ve got to leave that brain outside and vote just as their leaders tell ’em to.
But then the prospect of a lot
Of dull MPs in close proximity
All thinking for themselves, is what No man can face with equanimity.
Chorus
His scepticism resonates throughout the opera as when the pompous Lord Arrarat boasts about the importance of politicians during the Battle of Waterloo. “When Wellington Thrashed Bonaparte as any child can tell, The House of Lords throughout the War did nothing in particular, but did it rather well.”
In previous articles I have asked readers to pray for our nation and leaders. I have good reason to know that God answers prayer, but bear in mind that his answer may not be what you want. However, it will assuredly be what you need.
“It is no secret what God can do. What He’s done for others he will do for you.”
