Once in a while, something odd comes up that makes us appreciate the wonders of our modern age. We see more tests than ever for souls, including our ability to love our neighbors.
A Ford Dealer’s Report From Tom Selkis’ (Latham Ford) Facebook – True story at the dealership.
“I’ll try to make this as short and to the point as I can. One of my salesmen here had a woman in his office yesterday wanting to lease a brand new Focus. As he was reviewing her credit application with her he noticed she was on social security disability.
He said to her ‘You don’t look like you’re disabled and unable to work.’ She said, ‘Well I’m really not. I could work if I wanted to, but I make more now than I did when I was working and got hurt (non-disabling injury).’
She said the gov’t sends her $1500.00 a month in 1 check. And she gets $500.00 a month on an EBT card (food stamps), and $800.00a month for rent. Oh yeah, and 250 minutes free on her phone. That is just south of $2800.00 a month. When she was working, she was taking home about $330.00 per week. Do the math and then ask yourself why should she go back to work.
If you multiply that by millions of people, you start to realize the scope of the problem we face as a country. She didn’t lease the Focus here because the dealer down the road beat our deal by $10.00/month. Glad to know she is so frugal with her (our) hard earned money.”
So, we see what happens in prosperous democracies. First, everyone has an opportunity to tell lies to get money from their neighbors. At Judgment, Lying + stealing = Compound Fraud. As automation and importing goods from low-labor nations reduce costs, modern Babylons can give ever more to those willing to say “I’d like to work, but I just can’t.”
It would be miraculous if they used their free time to say a dozen Rosaries a day, pray to end abortion, and help those less fortunate than themselves. But, they don’t. Even if they don’t work and pray for the good of others, they are our neighbors and out test is to love them.
They face a greater test. What happens to the souls of those who bear false witness to take from their neighbors? Is the difference between a Mortal and Venial sin still about a thousand dollars?
No Babylonian wants to hear such questions. We probably shouldn’t ask. The most dangerous thing about Democracy is clear. Democracy gives every person an opportunity to lie and steal from their neighbors even as it distracts them from thinking about the risks to their souls at Judgment.
