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While the U.S. now suffers from a frightening absence of moral authority, all Catholics should take heart in their faith more than ever. We must be the change we wish to see in the world, the salt of the earth; we must not simply wish a better more moral America, but create it ourselves. Hope will fuel the faith and love necessary to educate modern Americans to put away their prejudice and ignorance, and embrace a better way to live. If they want to persecute Christians, let the fault lie with them, not us. Yesterday's second reading from Peter applies well in this time: "For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil." Veterans know better than to look at the decadence consuming the country. They rise above it and set an example of bravery and strength for their fellow men. They remind us that virtue has much more power than vice. - Benedict Augustine