"These are the Times that try men's souls"

"These are the times that try men's souls..."

This quote by Thomas Paine seems more applicable today than at any time in my 60 some odd years on this earth. It is easy to see why, and it is easy to see the worry in the eyes of those around us. I see it in the teenagers that I work with in our parish, I see it in the eyes of everyday people that pay attention to what’s going on.

Every time you turn on the news, evil is brutally on display; folks are being brutalized and beheaded in a gruesome manner for all the world to see, all because of their Christian faith, or because their version of other faiths don’t square with the faith of the group doing the brutalizing. Young women are brutally put to death, and sold in slavery. Britain, France, and Australia have not been spared. The United States itself is a major target, with malls being threatened, and even the families of our military service members being put on notice. It’s a daily drumbeat that most certainly can be described as evil, and, recently, Rome was threatened, the "land of the cross".

But, you know, this is not the first time there appeared to be a showdown between good & evil. World War I and World War II both had theologians wondering if these were the end times, as foretold in the Gospels, and for good reason. The evil had seemed to become overwhelming, seemingly on a scale that was unprecedented. Even as far back as the American Civil War, events of the day were being interpreted in that way. I suppose in the days of the Barbarians sacking and pillaging old Europe, theologians of the day were saying "this is it".

Now, for myself, I don’t get too involved in esthiology (the study of Revelation). I’ve come to the conclusion that it really doesn’t matter much, in the overall scheme of things, whether my interpretation of that particular book of Scripture is right or wrong. What will happen, will happen. When I went back for my Theology degree at the age of 46, we had several theologians, Catholic and Protestant, come and explain to us their belief on what John’s writings told us. All were very accomplished, smart, men and women, and knew their business. But, they spent more time arguing among each other than anything else. It was an interesting intellectual exercise, for sure, but not very conclusive.

At the end of the day I realized this....the key to getting through, keeping your attitude, is this simple fact: Remember that God is in charge. Period. I came to the conclusion that our time serving Him would be better spent focusing on what He wants us to do, than to second guess His plans for the end times; Let Him handle it.

So, that’s what I do. I hang on my faith. I am very close to, and very much a devotee to the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, just like the Groom at the Wedding of Cana, when she told the groom, "Do what He tells you to do" . At Fatima, she stated unequivocally that "In the End, My Immaculate Heart will Triumph". So, there it is, end of story. I believe it, and I stand on it.

Every time I receive the Eucharist, the literal Body & Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, I realize the absolute power that God has through His Son, Jesus Christ", and the strength that is given us through our Communion with Him. Every time I pray my Rosary, I am reminded by the mysteries of the absolute fact of our Lord’s power, and of Our Lady’s intercession. As St. John Paul II stated many times...."Be Not Afraid".

Every time I see what good people do for each other, from feeding and sheltering the homeless, to healing the sick, to providing uplifting and inspiring entertainment by using talents that are God given, I am reminded that the author of Life is still very much alive and well, through believers and others of good will.

I realize that it’s hard not to be concerned. Anyone with any intellect must be concerned and wary of what’s going on. And, our leaders must be doing what is in their power to combat this evil. We are charged, as Christians, to stand up to evil when we see it. However, let there be no doubt as to what the end result will be. Our Lord's words to us, and His death and resurrection guaranteed it.