[Greek] τροπή (tropē), [Latin’ vicissitudo, [French] alternance: turn, turning, change, variation: Jas.1:17
How very prophetic! How times have changed! Those who often accuse others of being fascist are actually the real fascists!
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means change, turn, turning, putting to flight, throwing, and solstice.
Aeschylus’ Agamemnon 1237: “And how the all daring woman raised a shout of triumph, as when the battle turns, she feigned to joy at his safe return.”
Aristophanes’ Knights 246: “Courage! Attack him, put him to flight.”
Sophocles’ Ajax 1275: “Do you no longer remember anything of the time when you were all but destroyed in the turn of the battle.”
Thucydides The Peloponnesian War 6.69: “They at once took up their arms and advanced to meet them.”
Trophaeum Traiani. In 102 AD the Roman emperor Trajan erected an monument commemorating the victory (turning point) over the Dacians.
[Greek] τρόπαιον (tropaion), [Latin] trophaeum (trophy): This is a monument that would be set up at the site of a victory (turning point) over the enemy on the battlefield. This tropaion was customarily dedicated to a deity in thanksgiving for the victory.
New Testament: This term means change, turning, and variation. All good and every perfect gift comes from above from the Father. This references both the act of giving and the gift itself.
“All good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change.” Jas.1:17
Unlike the stars and planets, the Father remains shining bright and constant. The teachings from the Father also remain constant.
Early Christianity: The bones of the Christian martyrs were actually called trophies. It can be said that these Christians martyrs had won the ultimate victory in being faithful to Christ. They won the Christian race of life!
Current secular culture: For many critics, stating one’s Catholic (and Christian) views in response to something has now become fascist. Those who are offended and who refuse and cancel others are not fascist??? Things are really turned upside down. Times have really changed, but not for the better!
Trope: This term can be used as a figure of speech in changing the appearance of a word for artistic effect. An example of a trope is ‘Achilles heel’. This derives from Homer’s Iliad: “He pierced the tendons of both feet behind from heel to ankle.” The seemingly invincible Achilles was killed in this way. This trope refers to one’s weak spot.
Vicissitude: This is a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant.
Etymology: The Latin noun vicis makes reference to change, turn, alternation, time, season, condition, defect, and succession
“We do not want a church that moves with the world. We want a church that moves the world.” GK Chesterton
Conclusion:
Vice, trope, trophy, alternate, vicissitude
A trophy in the secular world signifies a turning point (victory).
It is important to note that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have always remained faithful and constant.
Winston Churchill was quite prophetic about those future generations who show fascist tendencies! (How have times changed!)
Update: In our current society, participation trophies are now being handed out for 12th place. (Because not hurting someone’s feelings is evidently more important than celebrating one’s achievement.)
Antifa is an autonomous far-left “anti-fascist” militant group who engage in protests, vandalism, violence, and setting up land mines. They also seek to disrupt others from speaking.
More and more people are accepting the notion that is unfair for transgender women to compete in women’s sports. (A change for the better for women’s rights).
Cardinal Roche says the the Latin Mass needs to be restricted because the “unchangeable” theology of the Church has “changed”. (The cardinal is actually saying out loud what the Vatican intends to do: remove the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM).
Why has there been greater interest and attraction to the TLM? Because of the greater silence, reverence, and worship at Mass
AOC calls the parents’ bill of rights as fascist (because it gives parents more control over their own kids).
AOC claims that Jesus’ message of love is making fascism look benign. Remember those ‘Jesus get us’ commercials? (Calling Jesus fascist is foolish and idiotic! Not a good look!)
Liberals believe that the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe vs. Wade is empowering “Christian fascism”.
In this post-Christian secular world, upholding traditional and unchanging traditions now seems counter-cultural.
The marriage rate is decreasing (a change for the worse).
Dating is now more associated with “hook up culture” and “body count” (a change for the worse).
The trad wife movement is actually a thing! (It seems that more women are unsatisfied or revolted by modern feminist expectations. Modern feminists, claiming to advocate for women’s freedoms, seemed to be triggered and offended by this.)
Washington and Lee University allowed Ibram X. Kendi to speak but many want to ban Matt Walsh from speaking. (Can you say fascist cancel culture?)
Many at Columbia University are now triggered and outraged that Columbia’s Federal Society visited Justice Kavanaugh at the Supreme Court. (Can you say offended entitlement?)
A theologian was fired by Cliff College for saying homosexuality is a sin. (So traditional doctrinal teaching is now considered hateful!)
May we could all be on to something: perhaps the more traditional ways (and past respectful political discourse) might be better after all!