The ability of man to illude himself is infinite.
The two great ideologies of the last century were convinced that they would last for a very long time, perhaps forever. Communism believed itself to be immortal and the Third Reich was to last at least 1,000 years. They did not and at their demise they left millions of innocent dead and shattered societies.
Until a few years ago modern man also lived a splendid illusion. There was to be a new world order, Europe would be a cohesive entity, sharing and exporting its values, a beacon of hope for the whole world.
Most importantly, many thought that, at last, God had been put firmly in His place, that is, as much as possible out of the public sphere and eye.
He was at best to be ignored, living as if He did not exist, or at worst, under the pretext of ‘tolerance and freedom’ have a ferocious war waged against His divine, eternal laws.
It is sad and pathetic to see how many journalists, politicians, academics, etc., scramble and stumble over each other in order to appear ‘liberal and progressive’ lest they seem nonconforming with the ‘dominant thought’ prevalent among us.
What therefore is the great illusion that is being lived out today? It is that a godless society, bereft of moral values with no compass or absolute principles to adhere to can ever hope to fully satisfy the restlessness, often unrecognised, and deepest yearning for the transcendent, that lie in the deep recesses of our heart.
Moreover, whereas before we could allow ourselves to feel good and comfortable living in our affluent societies, now the arrival of thousands of unfortunate people fleeing from war-torn countries and the increasing acts of terror have brought us face to face with such misery and wretchedness that our certainties are faltering, unable to provide answers and solutions.
Where then lies the answer to all this?
The Christian has the answer, a 2,000-year-old one, Christ and His good news, ever new and unequalled, offering hope where there seems to be none and which our cynical and sceptical society is simply unable to provide since one cannot give what one does not possess.