# Reflections on Vatican II and a prayer for the United States
*2020-07-18*

> Bill Young reflects on the changes in the Catholic experience before and after Vatican II and emphasizes the importance of focusing on current societal and political challenges.

## The Catholic Experience Before and After Vatican II

I want to address a point raised by Dr. Taylor regarding Vatican II. While some people want to scrap the whole thing, I can offer a perspective on what it was like before and after the Council. Growing up in Catholic school before Vatican II, the Masses were in Latin, and to be honest, I didn't understand most of what was being said. The priest faced the cross rather than the congregation. In those days, the emphasis was often more on the fear of God than the love of God; it felt as though everything was a mortal sin and we were constantly told we were going to hell.

After Vatican II, the mindset shifted. We began to talk more about other religions and the possibility that those outside the Church might also find salvation. We have a greater focus now on Divine Mercy and the understanding that the Lord loves all of us and wants us to grow closer to Him.

## The Importance of Humility and Judgment

One of the biggest shifts was moving away from the idea that only Catholics go to heaven. We cannot judge others because we do not know what happens in a person's final seconds before they meet God. I think of the parable of the workers in the vineyard, where those who started late were paid the same as those who worked all day. If the owner has the right to be generous, then God certainly has the right to decide who enters heaven. It is not our place to judge; it is not our concern who is saved, but rather our own relationship with God.

## Focusing on Current Threats

While theological debates about the 1960s are interesting, I believe there are far more pressing issues today. We should be concerned about the protection of our Constitution, our freedom of religion, and our Second Amendment rights. I worry that if the far left succeeds in taking away our rights and property, we could face a new civil war. 

Instead of debating the errors of the past, we should be speaking out forcefully against the tearing down of statues of Mary and Jesus and the burning of churches. We need to put our energy into ensuring we have the right leadership in the United States to protect our freedoms.

## A Prayer for the Nation

In light of these challenges, I want to share a prayer written by Archbishop Vigano, the former ambassador from the Vatican to the United States. 

'Eternal God, King of kings, Lord of lords, graciously turn your gaze to us who evoke you with confidence. Bless us, citizens of the United States of America; grant peace and prosperity to our nation. Illuminate those who govern us so that they may commit themselves to the common good and respect the law. Protect those who defend the inviolable principles of the natural law and your commandments against the repeated assaults of the enemy of the human race. Keep in the hearts of your children the courage for truth, for love, for virtue, and perseverance in the midst of trials. Make our families grow in the example of our Lord, together with His most holy mother and St. Joseph in the home of Nazareth. Give our fathers and mothers the gift of strength to educate wisely the children with whom we have been blessed. Give courage to those in spiritual combat to fight the good fight as soldiers of Christ against the furious forces of the children of darkness. Keep each one of us, O Lord, in your most sacred heart, and above all, he whom your providence has placed at the helm of our nation. Bless the President of the United States of America, so that, aware of his responsibility and his duties, he may be a knight of justice, a defender of the oppressed, a firm bulwark against your enemies, and a proud supporter of the children of light. Place the United States of America and the whole world under the mantle of the Queen of victories, our unique leader in battle, the Immaculate Conception. Through her and through your mercy, may the hymn of praise be raised to you, O Lord, from the children whom you have redeemed. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.'

*Rather than dwelling on theological disputes from the past, we must pray for our leaders and actively defend our faith and freedoms in the present.*