Nothing New

It can be hard to fight despair and discouragement, especially when the onslaught from the Evil One is unrelenting.  History repeats itself over and over again in a violent chaotic circle.  We convince ourselves that we are somehow new, enlightened, we have moved beyond history.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  We are in the same boat being tossed against the waves.  The real difference is that now we have the ability to wipe out millions of people.  We can kill each other for any number of reasons at an alarming rate.  But, we are enlightened, we hear it again and again.  What makes us think that we are enlightened?

Is it the murder of 55 million and counting pre-born babies (not to mention the 1.3 billion worldwide)?  Is it that now killing the handicapped and elderly is compassion and not Fascism?  We have just changed the language.  Is it that children are seen as a right or entitlement?  Or that children are accessories and not human beings who deserve the love and support that comes from a father and mother?  Somehow everyone deserves a child regardless of their relationship status or healthy environment.  Is it the mass shootings, violence, abuse, and drugs?  What makes us better than our predecessors? Pray tell.

We are no different, except in technology.  We still committ human sacrifice to the gods, they just have different names.  We are still scapegoating, even though Christ came as the ultimate scapegoat. Right now we are no better, but we still have the potential to be.  We always have the choice to turn from evil, even in the darkest of days.  We can reverse course before it is too late.  Sure the hour grows late.  We just have to turn to Him and seek forgiveness and change our course.

Why do I worry and warn?  I am a mother.  I look at my beautiful daughter and wonder what she will live to see.  I wonder what I will live to see.  Priests dragged off to jail?  Or myself?  It never dawned on me until recently what being Christian really meant.  It means an assurance of persecution.  It means a risk of imprisonment or worse.  How do I know this?  First because Christ promised persecution in the Beatitudes and second because there is nothing new under the sun.  Christianity has always had a precarious relationship with pagan societies, and now is no different.  Unfortunately, the  false god of our day strikes directly into the heart of the Church.  It destroys families and perverts who each one of us was created to be in the image and likeness of God.

There is always hope, but the battle has been won in the next life.  We must continue to fight the spiritual battle here.  We must pray, fast, serve, and never give up hope.  It is difficult some days.  The deluge of the forces of evil can knock the wind right out of you.  Just remember that without Christ life has no meaning.  Think about it.  If the battle is not won then this life is a complete waste.  Our hope is in Him.  I pray when the time comes that I have the strength to stand firm and not flee.  St Peter, pray for us.