We find ourselves longing for a time when moral values seemed more widely shared, when church pews were full, and when children respected their elders. In many cases, there’s a sense of spiritual loss as well—especially in the face of today’s secular culture, where God is often sidelined in public life.But here’s the question: were the “good ol’ days” really that good? More importantly, what does Sacred Scripture say about nostalgia, longing for the past, and the temptation to believe that we’ve lost something irreplaceable?
Let’s take a deeper look.
Nostalgia: A Universal Human Emotion
Nostalgia isn’t a new phenomenon. Every generation seems to think that things were better in their youth. The clothes were smarter, the music had more soul, the streets were safer, and people had more common sense. There’s truth in some of it—but perhaps not the whole truth.
It’s natural to remember the past with affection, but sometimes we forget the difficulties that came along with it. War, disease, injustice, poverty—these existed in every age. The challenge is to see the past clearly, neither overly romanticised nor unfairly condemned.
King Solomon, in his wisdom, warned about this tendency in the Book of Ecclesiastes:
“Say not, ‘Why were the former days better than these?’ For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.” (Ecclesiastes 7:10, RSV-CE)
This is a key passage. Solomon recognises that while the past might appear more appealing, it is unwise to yearn for it as though it were a golden age. The sentiment may stem not from truth, but from frustration with the present. Such longing can blind us to what God is doing now.
Israel in the Wilderness: A Lesson in False Memory
One of the clearest biblical examples of nostalgia leading to error is found in the story of the Israelites wandering in the desert. After being freed from slavery in Egypt—a miraculous liberation led by Moses—they began to grumble. They missed the food, the familiarity, the routine of Egypt… even though it was a land of oppression!
“Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” (Exodus 16:3, RSV-CE)
Here we see a distortion of memory. Egypt, a place of suffering and forced labour, is suddenly remembered as a land of comfort and abundance. Their nostalgia led them to question God’s plan and Moses’ leadership. How often do we do the same?
Like the Israelites, we sometimes romanticise past situations that were, in truth, damaging or spiritually dangerous. Just because something is familiar doesn’t make it holy. Just because it’s “traditional” doesn’t mean it’s right. If we’re not careful, our longing for the past can cause us to reject the grace and growth God is offering us today.
Jesus Christ: The Fulfilment of Time, Not a Return to the Past
Christ didn’t come to take us backward—He came to fulfil the Law and bring something new. In His own words:
“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but new wine is for fresh skins.” (Mark 2:22, RSV-CE)
Jesus warns against clinging to old forms that can no longer contain the reality of God’s active grace. The coming of the Messiah wasn't a call to return to a previous age of religious customs or political order—it was a movement forward into the Kingdom of God.
He did, of course, fulfil all that came before—but He didn’t seek to restore Israel to Davidic glory or take people back to the Garden of Eden. Rather, He brought the new covenant: a promise of eternal life, forged through the Cross.
Our Catholic faith is rich with tradition, yes—but it is also living. The Holy Spirit continues to guide the Church, not in circles, but towards the fulfilment of all things in Christ.
Are We Losing Our Values?
Still, it’s hard to deny that society today seems to be drifting from Christian values. When we look at declining Mass attendance, the confusion around gender and family life, or the moral relativism that prevails in schools and media, we can become disheartened.
There’s a temptation to say: “Back in my day, people knew right from wrong.” And perhaps they did—externally. But internal conversion of heart has always been rare. Jesus Himself said:
“Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.” (Matthew 7:13, RSV-CE)
There has never been a time when most people chose the narrow path. In every generation, God’s faithful few have walked it often alone, often misunderstood.
Even during so-called golden ages of Catholicism—medieval Europe, Victorian England, or the pre-Vatican II Church—there were serious problems: corruption, political manipulation of religion, superstition, and injustice cloaked in religious language. We should not mistake outward religious observance for widespread holiness.
God Works in the Present
A key danger of romanticising the past is that it blinds us to what God is doing now. If we’re always looking backwards, we can miss His action in the present.
Jesus said, “My Father is working still, and I am working.” (John 5:17, RSV-CE)
God is not stuck in a particular century or style of church music or way of dressing. He is the eternal “I AM”—always present, always active, always offering grace.
This is especially relevant for Catholics today. Many faithful feel a deep sadness about the state of the world and the Church. It’s easy to get stuck in a loop of complaint, comparing today unfavourably with an idealised past.
But we are called not to retreat, but to engage—to be saints in this time, not another.
Learning from the Past, Not Living in It
The Catholic Church honours tradition—not because the past was perfect, but because it teaches us how to live now. The saints, martyrs, councils, devotions, and liturgies of the past are not relics to be locked in a museum. They are treasures that point us to eternal truths.
We must avoid both extremes: idolising the past and discarding it. The Catechism reminds us:
“Tradition is to be distinguished from the various theological, disciplinary, liturgical, or devotional traditions, born in the local churches over time. These are the particular forms, adapted to different places and times, in which the great Tradition is expressed.” (CCC 83)
The past teaches us, but Christ commands us to follow Him now. That includes embracing the cross in today’s world, evangelising in a digital age, defending life amidst confusion, and remaining faithful when it’s unpopular.
A Better Longing: Not for the Past, but for Heaven
Ultimately, the yearning we feel for the “good ol’ days” is probably a deeper longing—for innocence, for unity, for a sense of belonging and peace. These desires are not wrong. But they cannot be fulfilled in this world—not fully.
St Paul wrote:
“But our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20, RSV-CE)
Rather than longing for a past time, we are called to long for our true home: the eternal Kingdom of God.
Heaven is not behind us. It is ahead. No matter how comforting or beautiful parts of the past may have been, they are but shadows of the glory that is to come.************Hope, Not Hindsight So, were the “good ol’ days” really that good? Perhaps. In some ways, yes. In many ways, no. But the greater truth is this: we are alive now by God’s design. He chose us to live in this time, with these challenges, to be His witnesses. We are not called to rebuild a bygone age, but to be faithful today. We can treasure what was good in the past without becoming paralysed by it.
The Church needs saints in the 21st century—men and women who trust that God is working now, and who answer His call with joy and courage.
As Catholics, our hope is not in the past. Our hope is in Jesus Christ—“the same yesterday and today and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8, RSV-CE)
So, let us give thanks for the past. Let us live with zeal in the present. And let us long not for yesteryear, but for Heaven.
Let the past inspire you—but let the present be where you act. Heaven is our goal.
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A prayer for the rest of the week for all who read this blog post and for all who never will.
God of compassion, embrace us with Your mercy this week. Forgive our sins, heal our wounds, and help us to forgive as we long to be forgiven.
May Your love be known in every corner of the world, and may Your peace rest upon us all.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.************
A prayer for the rest of the week for all who read this blog post and for all who never will.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of this week, for the breath in our lungs, for the people You place in our lives, and for the hope of eternal life with You.
Bless us with thankful hearts, and help us to live each day as a hymn of praise.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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