In September, I came across a growing number of Christian blogs, both Catholic and Protestant that were warning of very grave events about to happen in October. Then came the horrific Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7. Many fear that we are on the cusp of World War Three.
Our society seems to be in free fall toward total collapse. All civility in American politics is gone. There is no debate of issues or discussion of policy. Political discourse seems to be entirely comprised of name-calling and accusation. We are in a state of anarchy in many large cities – there is no rule of law as violent criminals are released without bail for the sake of “equity.” Meanwhile political opponents are routinely harassed, arrested, and left to sit in jail for months without trial for misdemeanor offenses like trespassing.
I this environment, it is difficult to shut out the noise and listen to the voice of the Lord. A few weeks ago, I came across a YouTube video of Fr. John Ricardo addressing a group of priests and religious during a Eucharistic Revival for the Diocese of Marquette in Northern Michigan in June 2023. . Eucharistic Revival – Fr John Ricardo
Fr. John’s message was a paradigm shift for me. I have watched the whole video at least three times. It has restored in me peace and it has renewed and strengthened my trust in the Savior who loves to save. The whole video is about 25 minutes and well worth listening to the entire message.
Fr. John reflects on the Gospel account of Jesus meeting the disciples on the road to Emmaus:
“Jesus is asking them questions. He is probing them to see how much faith they have. But the scriptures aren’t just documenting an event that happened in the past but it is also for us now. Jesus is also probing us right now to see how much faith you and I really have.
“As you sit here and you look out at the world, are you anxious? Many of us are. As you look out at the country, with all that is happening in our country, are you anxious? With all that is happening in our church, are you anxious? Because He says, I’m not. I’m not anxious, I’m not nervous, I’m not worried, because I Am LORD. I hold the rulers of the world and church in my hands. And nothing can thwart my plans. So why are you anxious if I am LORD?
“Do you know and do you believe that I have defeated but not yet destroyed the power of sin? Do you know and do you believe that I have defeated but not yet definitively destroyed the power of death? Do you know and do you believe that I have defeated but not yet destroyed the power of Satan? I have routed Hell and I have no rival. Do you believe that?”
I do believe in Christ’s victory over sin and death. I do believe Jesus has conquered Satan. Now I need to live my daily life in accordance with my belief. Like St Peter walking on the water, I need to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. For if I focus on the wind and waves of our current culture, I will lose heart and sink. Jesus has this. He is not anxious; he is not worried. Christ is victorious and he has a plan.
For some reason God, in all his wisdom and love, wants us to participate in his plan. It is not because we have great intellect or courage or virtue. He is capable of doing this on his own. Yet he invites us to join with him in reaching out to a world that has never known God. He calls us to be his body here on earth that those without hope can once again have hope. Those who are unloved can know God’s love.
How do we do this? How can we possibly respond in our weakness?
St. Augustine shows us where we can start. In our broken world on the verge of war, we can begin with praise. This excerpt is from the Office of Readings from Saturday of the 34th week in Ordinary Time.
“Even here amidst trials and temptations let us, let all men, sing alleluia. God is faithful, says holy Scripture, and he will not allow you to be tried beyond your strength. So let us sing alleluia, even here on earth. Man is still a debtor, but God is faithful. Scripture does not say that he will not allow you to be tried, but that he will not allow you to be tried beyond your strength. Whatever the trial, he will see you through it safely, and so enable you to endure. You have entered upon a time of trial but you will come to no harm – God’s help will bring you through it safely. You are like a piece of pottery, shaped by instruction, fired by tribulation. When you are put into the oven therefore, keep your thoughts on the time when you will be taken out again; for God is faithful, and he will guard both your going in and your coming out.”
This Fall my Bible study has been watching and discussing The Rescue Project from Acts XXIX. This series (also by Fr. John Ricardo) is a life changing account of the gospel, the Good News. I think many of us don’t know how to respond to the good news of Jesus because we don’t really understand what it is that he has done for us. If you are looking for something to do for this Advent, I highly recommend it. It is powerful and it is free. Check it out.
You Are Loved 