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Ecclesiastes 4:13 "Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who will no longer take advice". 

 

I think a lot of our current disharmony is due in large part to many older people acting the part of the old and foolish king who will no longer take advice. The youth are upset with their elders. They feel we have created a society centered around us, without thinking of their future. We've consolidated wealth in our portfolios, we own homes that we either refuse or can't afford to leave, and we deny them the freedom and future we had at their age. We've pulled the ladder up behind us, and refuse to listen to their advice or complaints.

 

On the other hand, though, while they may be poor, and may have valid complaints, many of our youth are not at all wise. One effect of the selfishness of the elders has been to corrupt the youth's formation and education, and instill in them a false view of reality, one that frequently replaces faith. The foolish elders are, after all, the parents, teachers, and administrators who are forming the children! In our schools, and the body politic, these foolish kings silence or force out anyone who does not toe the party line, and thus create a system that steeps our children in a secular religion that they then promote with all the zeal of the newly baptized. The rich, old, and foolish kings have created a generation of youth that is poor, bitter, angry, and foolish, itself. It's quite a mess! I think this tweet from last night regarding the NYC mayor's race sums up the situation well. 

 

While this sounds so grim, though, there is always reason to hope. First, God always knows what's going on. Everything that is happening is part of His plan to call all people back to Himself, both the old and the young. When we have so far turned from His ways, we have to suffer before we can completely come back to Him, and that stage of suffering is the one set for us right now.

 

Second, the wise are always among us. The youth are already coming back to the Church in good numbers, as they wisely see that is where the true hope lies. The elders will be more difficult, as they are still quite comfortable, and comfort is a great obstacle to faith. There are wise men and women among the elders, though. Just look at the vibrant Catholic ministries that have popped up, led by both clergy, like Bishop Barron, and laypeople, like Matthew Kelly.

 

So there is hope, as there always is, including that as we slog through this mess, we grow stronger and wiser ourselves. As we go, though, we, both young and old, should evaluate ourselves frequently. We should ask ourselves if we are truly pursuing truth and wisdom, or if we are centering our lives and our hopes for the world around selfish, foolish ideas that will only further the suffering of the poor and vulnerable now and in the future. We should critically look at the historical fruits of what we are advocating, and be willing to take advice and to change if the effects of our beliefs don't align with our professed ideals. Refusing to change, and silencing anyone who gives advice contrary to what we believe, shows lack of wisdom, and we have enough of the foolish right now. We are a nation that is rife with foolish kings and youth, we need to seek out, and to be, the wise.