Page:SermonsFromTheLatins.djvu/585



Ex. : I.  Religion  and  patriotism. II. Conflict. III. History of question.

I. Church   superior  to  State:   1. Origin. 2. Nature. Mission and  destiny.

II. History: 1. Church's work. 2. State's  opposition. 3. Europe  of  to-day.

III. Church in  America:  1. Her enemies. 2. Her  work. 3. Solution  of  problems.

Per. : Fidelity  to  Church,  and  golden  rule  in  time  of  conflict.

Brethren, love  of  religion  and  love  of  country are two  of  the  master  passions  of  every  Christian, every Catholic  heart. And because  master  passions, therefore, by  no  other  cause  is  the  human  breast  so painfully  convulsed  as  by  a  conflict  between  Church and State,  by  the  conflicting  emotions  of  patriotism and religious  fidelity. In such  a  crisis,  when  called upon to  choose  between  Church  and  State,  between Christ and  Barabbas,  too  often,  alas! the world  has answered, Barabbas. Thus when  Pilate,  presenting Jesus to  the  Jews,  said:  "Behold  your  King,"  they roared back:  "  Away  with  Him,  we  have  no  king  but Caesar." Again, all  through  the  history  of  the Middle Ages  runs  the  echo  of  a  struggle  to  haul down the  sacred  emblem  of  Christianity — the  cross — and hoist  in  its  stead  the  symbol  of  civil  authority— the  flag. And even  in  our  own  times  and  in  our