We are witnesses of two historic moments in the configuration of the Mexican State. For one thing the Pope Benedict XVI was received as Head of the Vatican State during his official visit to Mexico, and second, the Senate approved the amendment of the Mexican Constitution, which states that our country is a “secular republic” (Art 24 and 40 Mexican Constitution, 29 March 2012).

Even if Mexico is a Catholic country, sadly, there is contraction in our laws that promote secularism; the cause came from our History. There was a mason influence in the creation of religious federal laws in 1855-1859 (before it was out our actual Constitution).

During the visit of the Pope to Mexico from 23-26 of march 2012 he was received by the President of Mexico, Felipe Calderon, and his wife, Margarita Zavala. Mexico is in period of elections, so there were present also the three candidates to the Mexican Republic.

In this period of Holly days in the expo Bicentenary Park, Leon Guanajuato, Mexico, at the Sunday Holly Mass in front of 640, 000 people his message was a hope for all the Catholic Community: “…The desire for a heart that would be pure, sincere, humble, acceptable to God was very much felt by Israel as it became aware of the persistence in its midst of evil and sin as a power, practically implacable and impossible to overcome. There was nothing left but to trust in God’s mercy and in the hope that he would change from within, from the heart, an unbearable, dark and hopeless situation. In this way recourse gained ground to the infinite mercy of the Lord who does not wish the sinner to die but to convert and live (cf. Ez 33:11). A pure heart, a new heart, is one which recognizes that, of itself, it is impotent and places itself in God’s hands so as to continue hoping in his promises. Then the psalmist can say to the Lord with conviction: “Sinners will return to you” (Ps 50:15). And towards the end of the psalm he will give an explanation which is at the same time a firm conviction of faith: “A humble, contrite heart you will not spurn…”

This picture is of a mother and child from Nicaragua sitting at their kitchen table in 1984. This is probably a working class family with a very small annual income. The two things that stand out in this picture are the picture of the Last Supper on the left and the picture on the right is of Che Guevara. This family lived under the decrees of Che who was a proponent of liberation theology. Liberation theology incorporated leftists’ policies into the teachings of the Catholic Church. Nicaragua is one of the many Latin American countries who were not only majority Catholic, but also were led to by the liberation theology movement passed by authoritarian leaders.  Politics is an important part of human society, because it represents the governance and welfare of people. Laws and government are important to civil society, because it is a means of governance, stability, and social order. I think this picture represents the universality of politics and government over time. Early governments were mostly tyrannical and authoritarian and over the course of human history societies evolved into more democratic states. Latin America is an example of a region plagued by civil unrest over the past several decades as many of its countries have been involved in political unrest.

Many governments who have tried to exclude religion from the public sphere have suffered the consequences of political corruption, war, famine, etc. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, there are four types of law: Eternal, Natural, Human and Divine. Over the centuries, when man has taken God out of the law and refined man’s character in the law, the results of human history testify to what happens when man erases God from the natural law.

“The Times They Are a-Changin” was a song written by singer- songwriter Bob Dylan that came out back in 1964. The song deals primarily with issues of racism, poverty, and social change. The 1960’s were a turbulent time for American society. Many movements would be influential in what many have termed the breakdown of the American family and American morals. Indeed, almost 50 years later, it is worthy in recognizing how the times have changed and maybe to add on to Bob Dylan’s song, “The Times Keep on Changin”.

The 1960’s and 1970’s saw the birth of many movements and social changes in American culture. The first and most prominent is the rise of Feminism. Amidst racial tensions and a fight for Civil Rights, the birth of Feminism for many signaled another equally important battle in the fight for Civil Rights. Another movement which changed American culture was the Gay Rights movement. People who were homosexual, bisexual, transgender, etc sought out to fight for their rights as normal people who believed that they should be treated as equal as heterosexuals. “Don’t Stop me Now” by Queen is an example of a song which reiterated the motive for what is most commonly known as Gay Rights.

The United States would be forever changed by the famous Supreme Court ruling in 1973, which is known as Roe v. Wade. In effect, this landmark supreme case gave women the legal rights to have an abortion. Almost 40 years later, millions and millions of babies have been victims to that notorious court case. Chaka Khan’s famous song “I’m Every Woman” and Helen Reddy’s “I am Woman” emphasized the role of woman in society and the freedoms women should enjoy and keep.

The mores of youth in the 1970’s were also drastically changing as movements such as the Yuppies and Hip Hop were beginning to change groups and affect the outcome of individual decisions. For example, the Yuppies, also known as Young Urban Professionals were people who enjoyed the Hedonistic world, it was an extension of the “Me” generation. In effect, it was a culture which put the individual first and others second. It was a complete opposite from the Judeo- Christian saying that notes, “Put God first, Others second, and Yourself last”. For the Yuppies, money was the most important status symbol and social marker. The Yuppies were a perpetuation of Materialism. Materialism is a lifestyle which makes things and objects the primary motive for living. Madonna’s “Material Girl” is an example of just how widespread this philosophy was back in the 1960’s and 1970’s.

Musical styles such as Techno introduced the Rave. Essentially, this was a large gathering of young people who engaged on drugs, alcohol, narcotics, etc. The main goal was to be in an induced state, thus making the experience more lasting and memorable.

Today Feminism and other “ISMS” of our time are continuing to destroy American culture and the American family. The divorce rate in this country is an example of how the times are changing. The recent Obama mandate is literally infringing upon the rights of those with conscious and moral beliefs against abortion and life issues.

What is next for the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave? What is next for our future generation? What kind of legacies are we putting into place for our future leaders? When are people going to grow out of their “I’m Lovin it” lifestyle and start to put things into proper perspective. Remember although you only live once, you also die once. Make your time on Earth memorable and impactful. Regardless of our religious beliefs, sexual attractions, political devotions, etc there is one thing WE can all agree on. One day we will all die and we will either remain locked up in our earthly tomb’s or maybe, just maybe be confronted with Heaven or Hell.

In closing, I would like to end with the parable Jesus spoke back 2,000 years ago, although the times are changing this teaching doesn’t change.

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  By their fruit you will recognize them… “Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”   When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching.-  Matthew 7:15-28