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October 25, 2018Just so we’re all on the same page, let’s begin by briefly talking about what the term postmodern actually means. It refers to an “era” of time. The “Postmodern Era” began in the early 20 th Century. It was preceded by the “Modern Era” (17 th Century to the early 20 th Century), which was preceded by the “Pre-Modern Era” (16 th Century and before). Universities devote entire semesters to studying just one of these time periods. We don’t have time here to delve into all the details like that, however, it is possible to look at the marking characteristics of this time we call “postmodern.”
At the end of the modern era, key thinkers like Friedrich Nietzche began to question the Enlightenment, which paved the way into postmodern thinking. We were experiencing the crash of science and reason during this time – man was coming to the end of himself you could say.
The era of Postmodernism ushered in a new philosophical mindset: NOTHING was at the center of the universe, which is one of the marking qualities of this time we live in. And when nothing is at the center of the universe, then anything goes because nothing really matters. This philosophical mindset sets the stage for moral relativism and secular humanism.
You can see the philosophical backdrop of our culture that postmodernism engenders; the ramifications of it are all around us. Recent studies have revealed that more than 90 percent of church-going teens do not believe in absolute moral truth (Barna Research Group). What is most striking is how drastically that figure has changed in the past 20 years. The number of believing teens who did not believe in absolute moral truth was closer to 50 percent in the mid 90s.
What is causing this crisis of morality? We are seeing the impact of postmodern philosophy. As each new generation is born, the effects of this become more firmly rooted. Today’s young people are one of the first generations to be raised by parents who were fully immersed in postmodern thinking from their birth.
With the erosion of the true center for the universe – God – we are left grasping for straws as to what we are here for. There is no meaning or purpose for our existence, and that reality itself has had devastating effects on todays’ young people.
Saint John Paul II saw it coming, and from the first days of his election began reaching out to the young generation of the Church. He saw the errant philosophy and where it would take us, and his entire pontificate would be devoted to preaching the “truth” that was becoming so relative.
Saint John Paul II, Pope Benedict and Pope Francis all have spoken similarly, recognizing the emptiness of our culture and where it is taking us. Pope Benedict made some striking remarks about the “dictatorship of relativism” (Pre-Conclave Homily, April, 2005).
His emphasis was that the true good of society is no longer the pursuit of truth, but the pursuit of relativism itself. It seems that the only “absolute” is that nothing is absolute. Does it begin to become clear why people are so confused? We could never navigate all these challenges without the powerful assistance of the Holy Spirit. There is a clear necessity of the move and work of the Holy Spirit in evangelizing people today.
How else can we help people encounter Christ and become authentic disciples of Him? Critical to this work is the move and power of the Holy Spirit. Why? I would go as far as to say that without the work and move of the Holy Spirit, any ministry effort in our time could be absolutely fruitless.
How could you possibly address all these postmodern philosophies on your own, without the clarifying revelation provided by the Holy Spirit? (CCC#1695) How could you lead people into prayer without the Holy Spirit, who is the source of holiness and the master of prayer? (CCC #749). It is the Holy Spirit that will enlighten, strengthen and renew them (CCC #1695), and lead them to a life of prayer (#768). We need to invite the Holy Spirit into all our efforts in our parishes, schools and many Catholic apostolates and organizations!
Archbishop Coakley has issued a repeated call for prayer for a “new Pentecost for the New Evangelization.” He has written on this numerous times in this very publication. And, that call has been repeated over and over by the last several pontiffs in the past 15-20 years.
We need the Holy Spirit in this postmodern era. We need all the gifts and power the Holy Spirit brings for the works of evangelization and renewal. Let’s be praying for a greater and greater outpouring of the Spirit in this time!