Were Things Really That Good In "The Good Old Days"

The expression "the good old days" typically refers to some belief that things were good then - as opposed to now. It's a thought or sentiment that grows as we grow older. But it can also manifest itself before we're looking wistfully upon a past that we've gilded with a bit of enhanced memory - i.e., when we're younger. (Excuse the flowery language - just a self-indulgence.)

Some of us may have worked for companies whose older employees remarked on good old days. Two such instances:

In one, a well-known consumer products company, some of the older folks who had been there for several decades opined on the perks and general atmosphere of what was once a mighty dominant company in its industry. By the time I got there, those good old days were long gone. Disappointing, to some extent. But it paid a salary and so I carried on. The company's dominance was and continues to be chipped away by more vibrant competition.

A second: A large financial institution, dating back to the founding of our country. It's staid tradition had hit many bumps in the road. The wise (?) leaders realized the culture had to change. I arrived during that transitional period. You could sense what the older folks had grown used to. You watched them face the change with some skepticism laced with a bit of trepidation. A part of me saw the necessity to get with the times. Another part understood that what once was - those good old days - had a character and charm that would be sorely missed. Having lived through that transition, it ultimately was accompanied with sad sort of undercurrent that ran through the whole experience.

In some ways in both instances, you could see and sense that, indeed, the good old days weren't just the figment of some imagination.

On the other hand, now is now. And we're called to work each day, no matter our circumstances, no matter what the past may have held for us - good and bad. We wipe the slate clean and get on with the tasks at hand. We attend to them recollected in the Presence of God, knowing we want to do all for His Greater Glory.

Since we already know that our spiritual life plays an essential role in our daily work, we thank God for our Holy Catholic Religion. It serves to guide us in its teachings, based on centuries of traditions handed down to us directly from Our Lord, through His Apostles and their successors.

The thing is, we all know that Holy Mother Church has been, and continues to be, buffeted by those who do not wish her well. Sadly these are not only attacks from the outside, but they include undermining from within. 

With that, we may look back on some image of "the good old days" of our Catholic Religion. 

Well, in such times it's best to remind ourselves that those good old days may not have been as good as it seems during these not-so-good-days. 

Something that Father Willie wrote in the dawning days of the 20th century - at a time so many would consider "good old days" for our Catholic Religion - may temper any feelings that cause us to be downhearted as we face this new day at work? 

I think it is evident that, in these days of awful sin and hatred of God, our Blessed Lord wants to gather round Him a legion of chosen souls who will be devoted, heart and soul, to Him and His interests, and upon whom He may always count for help and consolation. Souls who will not ask “How much must I do?” but rather “How much can I do for His love?” A legion of souls who will give and not count the cost, whose only pain will be that they cannot do more and give more and suffer more for Him who has done so much for them. In a word souls who are not as the rest of men, fools perhaps in the eyes of the world, for their watchword is sacrifice and not self-comfort.

Imagine: This over a century ago, in Ireland - a country known at the time for being thoroughly Catholic!

With that, let's put on our spiritual armor, join this "legion" and get on with the day's labor!