Sunday May 5, 2024
I have been a Knight of Columbus for more than thirty years. You can imagine my shock when rioters across America pulled down statues of Christopher Columbus in 2020. For them, he was a colonial oppressor. For me, he was the explorer who discovered the New World. His navigation opened the way for Hernan Cortez, the conquistador of Mexico, who had a zeal for God and greed for gold. The best book I have ever read is William Prescott’s History of the Conquest of Mexico. Revisionist historians imagine Pre-Columbian America as an idyllic paradise, like a Diego Rivera painting. The shadow side of this image is the human sacrifice that took place as depicted by the 2006 movie Apocalypto.
Europe is still recovering from the atrocities of World War II, Christians fighting Christians. Today Israel and Iran—Jews and Muslims—are bombing each other. Such carnage leaves some forsaking God and religion. But, as C.S. Lewis points out in Mere Christianity, imagine the depravity of humanity without the enobling vision and virtue carried by religious tradition. It took me years to dispel idealism and see myself and humanity for what we are, a mixed bag. Every time and culture, people and nation are in need of the gospel, and never more so than today!
Our parish and Church are much better thanks to the lived faith of our members who are Knights of Columbus, a fraternal charitable organization. We recognize them for fish fries and pancake breakfasts. Just this last week they served special needs children as part of the Diocesan Day of Sharing and they helped me host a barbeque for our school dads. Please see me, Pablo Santoyo or Todd Thompson for more information about becoming a Knight of Columbus here at Saint Joachim.
In Christ,
Rev. Robert P. Capone