Glorious St. Joseph, model of all who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work in the spirit of penance in expiation of my many sins; to work conscientiously by placing love of duty above my inclinations; to gratefully and joyously deem it an honor to employ and to develop by labor the gifts I have received from God, to work methodically, peacefully, and in moderation and patience, without ever shrinking from it through weariness or difficulty to work; above all, with purity of intention and unselfishness, having unceasingly before my eyes death and the account I have to render of time lost, talents unused, good not done, and vain complacency in success, so baneful to the work of God. All for Jesus, all for Mary, all to imitate thee, O patriarch St. Joseph! This shall be my motto for life and eternity. - Prayer of Pius X

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Poverty as Conscientious Objection

Our whole modern economy is based on preparation for war and that is one of the great modern arguments for poverty. If the comfort one had gained has resulted in the death of thousands in Korea and other parts of the world, then that comfort will have to be atoned for. The argument now is that there is no civilian population, that all are involved in the war (misnamed defense) effort. If you work in a textile mill making cloth, or in a factory making dungarees or blankets, it is still tied up with war. If one raises food or irrigates to raise food one may be feeding troops or liberating others to serve as troops. If you ride a bus you are paying taxes. Whatever you buy is taxed so you are supporting the state in the war, which is "the health of the state," exactly to the extent of your attachment to worldly things of whatever kind. 


[Day, CW, April 1953]

Posted by Colin at 5:28 AM

1 comment:

__REV__ said...

Yes indeed.

I'm in the middle of "Jesus for President" and Shane Claiborne uses similar themes.

America is the modern Rome. We lust for empire.

Maybe John's Apocalypse 17-18 should be required reading in our churches and schools. The prophetic voices must start rising up!

REV

February 4, 2009 at 7:12 PM

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