Catholics don’t run for the hills. We don’t run away and hide to give in to the spirit of fear or despair. Catholics aren’t scared.
In times of war, famine, disaster, and tragedy, we Christians are not called to look away. It is our call to act in charity to protect the weak, care for the wounded, and comfort the mourning.
Even for those that don’t believe in God, this makes some sense for the good will of man. If there was no creator, then we would be left to do everything ourselves, and there would only be hope if we pulled together and did it on our own. This is where a lot of people, even Christians, get it wrong. We’re not on our own, and thank God for that because we wouldn’t be able to do it on our own. Only a complete dependence on God will get us through.
Now stop and take a look around your life today. We don’t have to look around too far to see the brokenness of this world and the cloud of confusion that has caught up the culture.
It’s easy to see devastation when there are deaths or families lose their homes, but there is much more to life what we can see and touch.
We are living through a horrific spiritual disaster right now.
Sometimes when we surround ourselves with only like-minded people it’s easy to be convinced that we’re all ok, and that there are some people out there somewhere that need conversion.
First, we need conversion of our hearts. Then, every single one of us needs to pray more. We need a Church that falls to it knees in submission to our Lord and offers prayers for the world, especially for those that do not believe.
The spiritual disaster that surrounds us goes deep into the soul , but has many external symptoms that are going ignored because their sources aren’t considered spiritual.
- We have countless broken families and single parents.
- Millions of innocent children being slaughtered in the womb.
- The human body being abused through drugs, mutilation, and objectification.
- Uncountable numbers of men, women, and children sold and used as slaves.
- Generations addicted to pornography and false knowledge of sex.
And this is only part of it.
For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.
Ephesians 6:12
There is a war going on for our hearts. We know which side not only will win but has already won. The problem now is that we need to convince ourselves without a doubt and then offer the gifts of faith and grace to those around us.
It may seem like there are a lot of political issues going around right now because it is an election year, but there are problems that go far beyond politics. These issues cost more than taxes, these problems costs souls.
We could find Christian communities and isolate ourselves from the world in such a way that we don’t have to face the world, but that’s not our mission. Having those communities will help in strengthening our personal faith, but it goes in vain if we only serve ourselves.
It is difficult because when souls are involved so are emotions that can be swayed easily in different directions. They have and will call us bigots, haters, intolerant, oppressive, stupid, and many other names that shouldn’t be repeated, but that’s to be expected.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:10-12
If we will be persecuted anyways, I challenge you to hold true to all of the faith and not just the parts that are easy, happy, and convenient. I love Austin, but there are still many parts of our area that really need Jesus, the real Jesus.
As we near the elections, more and more issues will only become more common in conversations. It’s important for us to do our part and vote, but it’s also our responsibility to reveal Truth in charity.
We will stand strong because Truth will not change and God is on our side. I could say that there will be uncomfortable moments, but that would be an understatement. Still, Catholics Aren’t Scared.
Get ready.
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle…
“My God’s not dead. He’s surely alive. He’s living on the inside, roaring like a lion.” – David Crowder Band (Like A Lion)
