I despise ideological progressivism in all its forms: Darwinian (especially loathsome evolutionary psychology!), Marxist, Hegelian, techno-scientific, sexual-liberational, Enlightenment liberal, democratic-capitalist, evolutionary or revolutionary.
History, human life and reality itself is NOT progressive in some linear, inevitable, quasi-mechanical or dialectical fashion!
Being in its entirety, human history, every particular soul, family, community, nation, generation, civilization...is DRAMA!
Being in every dimension is reflective of the Eternal Event of Love that is the interior life of the Holy Trinity.
There is no "arc of history" or "winning side of history" other that salvation history.
Looking forward, there is no substantial change expected. Until Christ returns in Glory!
Human history is structured by two events: the Fall and the coming of Christ.
The Fall of Adam and Eve was preceded (outside of history) by the rebellion of Lucifer. We humans emulated this rebellion. Each of us and all of us have continued this mimesis. And so we are trapped in the toxicity/dysfunction/pathology of sin/evil/death/guilt/loneliness. Human life on earth has always been and will always be participation in the battle between God and Satan. Life here is incomprehensible except as a participation in a greater, eternal drama.
The "arc of history" has already peaked in the person of Christ. In his human life from his conception at the Annunciation (which in my view exceeds in significance his birth) and his Pentecostal sending of the Holy Spirit. There are two historic itineraries: to Christ (BC) and from Christ (AD).
History is structured interiorly as an absolute binary: for Christ or against Christ.
The reception, by Mary and the apostles, of the Holy Spirit, at Pentecost is the pinnacle of history. It will never be excelled. It will never be improved upon.
The spousal love affair between Christ and his bridal, Marian Church was consummated at Pentecost. Everything after that is "living happily ever after"...as well as continuance of the spiritual warfare in another, triumphant if disguised mode.
The Church was conceived in the Annunciation but born at Pentecost. The Church in her totality was there that singular day, in the communion of Mary and the Apostles in the Holy Spirit.
The Church is a living, organic body. It changes in time, but not substantially. There is growth and development...always of that which was already inherent, if not apparent. There is corruption, loss, death. As with any living, organic creature.
But the Holy Spirit is ever present and inherent; ever surging with new energy, creativity, generativity.
The Drama of Christ is the drama of every life, community, encounter...and is twofold: that of love and that of combat. Like any good movie, story, biography, play: there is love. There is battle.
Every human life...every community...every experience and encounter...recapitulates mysteriously either the spousal triumph of Christ the Bridegroom and Warrior...or the capitulation of Adam and Eve to Lucifer.
It is futile and delusional to seek comfort in any version of progress.
It is for each of us...together...to engage the exhilarating Drama of combat and love in every time and place.
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