What are your thoughts on this decade that's closing out? On a personal level it was a rollercoaster, it started with me fully apostatizing from a nominal non-practicing Catholic to a Deist, and having my sexual perversion really take off. Yet now, towards the end of this decade I have reverted (It turns out I reverted in July, not August, though I still love the month of the Immaculate Heart.) and become a fully Faithful practicing Catholic, with a great love and devotion for Our Lady. On the level of the state of the world and the Church, I'd have to sit down and look over all the news stories before giving my thoughts on them. There are a lot of positive stories and developments, there is an upsurge in young people attending the Latin Mass and seeking restoration in Catholic Tradition; Salvini and Bolsonaro have consecrated their countries to the Immaculate Heart of Mary; and several States in the Union have established, or are seeking to establish powerful Pro-Life laws. However, there are also a large number of very bad and disturbing stories in this decade, that seem to mark a very low point in the history of humanity, while my country continues to goes downhill, Ireland has gone into full-blown apostasy; Sodomy is being normalized around the world; there is a stunning rise in paganism and full-blown Satanism; and while young people are rejecting the mainstream Left, there are polls implying that many young people haven't rejected Leftism as a whole, many young people still don't value religion and ethics that much, and a significant number them are okay with Communism. However when it comes to negative news stories of the 2010s, by the far worst stories were the Summer of Shame, and the Shamazon Synod. Right now, the only events I can think of that rival the Summer of Shame and the Shamazon Synod, are Biblical events. And the really disturbing thing about these two events, is that they violate the Two Greatest Commandments, Love of God, (violated by the Shamazon Synod) and Love of neighbour for God's sake. (violated by the Summer of Shame) I'm not 100% sure when the Chastisement is coming, but I think the fact that the Two Greatest Commandments have been violated in a spectacular way, is strong evidence that the Chastisement is coming sooner rather than later. But what are your thoughts? Has this decade been a good one or a bad one, and what significant personal events have happened to you during this decade?
I recall a blog (remember those?) post I made in December 2009 or January 2010, toasting to a hopefully happier decade ahead (the 00's were awful). With one notable exception, it wasn't. A sudden drastic pay cut (no warning)...a layoff...dealing with gossipy knuckleheads who did us some real harm...optimism again in mid-2015...which 2016 politics demolished. Oh, and I became a published poet. That's a 2nd notable exception. Wish I could say I have hope for this new decade, but "older/wiser." Let me finish by saying I hope this current time is "the darkest hour just before dawn." And that dawn is soon here!
Yeah I remember blogs, I remember googling something and often having the majority of the results being blog posts, Good ole' days! I also don't see things taking a turn for the better in the decade to come. But in regards to the state of the Church, I hope we're nearing "the dark before the dawn" because, as I mentioned in the first post, it looks like we're hitting incredible lows right now, I have a hard time imagining things getting worse. I hope fair well in the years, I'll keep you and all my brother and sister Catholics in my prayers.
In our turbulent times, Christ still offers his gifts of mercy, peace December 24, 2019 (LifeSiteNews) – In December 2020, just 12 short months away, who knows what life will be like. In less than a year from now, the outcome of the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election will have already been decided. Given the increasing divide in this country, it's hard to imagine an election outcome without the face of America irrevocably changing. The 2016 election aftermath was only a taste of what we will see in 2020. Festering anger leads to hatred. Festering frustration leads to bitterness. The culture of death is insane with rage about recent progress for the pro-life cause, which has led to some liberal states pushing the line all the way to post-birth infanticide. Men and women who have barely reached middle age are reminiscing like greybeards about "the good old days", the days when both political parties were able to lose graciously, accept the result, and bide their time until the next Presidential election. But the reality of politics today would be considered too unrealistic for fiction, or too outrageous for satire, just a few decades ago. Will the short reprieve from the incessant downhill cultural slide be violently taken away from us? Or will God grant us a further reprieve, another chance for America to collectively stop and reflect on the path it is taking? Either way, it may only be a reprieve or postponement of the inevitable. A complete victory for God, life, and family -- and a complete defeat of the Culture of Death -- will only happen if God wills it. But God doesn't force His gifts on those to whom He has given the gift of free will. Mankind must do its part. If the majority of Americans choose to ignore God, despise His truth and His commandments, or desire to live a life of selfishness, materialism and pleasure, then God will give them what they seek, with all the consequences that naturally follow on that path. Unfortunately, that would mean suffering and disappointment for those who love God. For in most calamities throughout history, the good suffer along with the bad. Whatever happens, it is all in God's hands. And as we once again turn our attention to the mystery of the Incarnation this Christmas season, we see God's mercy up close and personal. The good, the penitent, and the humble will always have access to God's mercy, no matter how persecuted or outnumbered they become. Meanwhile, the unrepentant can only await the terrible hand of God's justice. Any victory they can connive or steal will be short-lived at best. We, who love God, can spend our time in quiet contemplation of Jesus, born to save us, and Mary His mother. Our greatest source of strengh, hope, and security is the infant Jesus, true God and True Man, the Prince of Peace, who we will receive into our hearts during this most blessed of seasons. "But as many as received him, he gave them power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in his name. Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." (John 1:12-14) From: https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/i...-christ-still-offers-his-gifts-of-mercy-peace
Nice Thread, Rosary Wielder. Well, Wow. The Last Decade, huh? So much has happened in my personal life; many struggles, many difficulties, many blessings, many joys. All I remember is that God has been Good amidst it all and brought me through everything, as He always does for us all imo. I'm looking forward to the Next Decade with anticipation. On the level of the World and Church: Yes, the 2020 election should be good, and hope Trump wins big. Beyond that, in Church matters, I hope to see more steps taken, for the TLM to be more widely available everywhere, for the Kingship of Christ to be more openly proclaimed by the Bishops, for steps to be taken toward the Consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart, to the definition of Mary as Co-Redemptrix with Christ, Mediatrix of All Graces, and our Advocate with the Trinity. On a personal level. I hope to write an apologetic book on the lives of the Apostles, the dates of the Gospels etc, intended to be helpful to Hindus, Muslims and other non-Christians in coming to Christ. I'm researching and studying for that. It's interesting stuff. I feel my calling is to devote my time and talents to do my little part for the growth and expansion of Christ's Kingdom on Earth. Anyway, on the universal level, I do see a lot of positives, along with things to be concerned about. One sign of great hope, for me, is how many young people are really coming to love our Tradition and our Faith; the resurgence of interest in that imo is a hugely positive sign for the future. Hopefully, it is a step toward Church Restoration. God Bless.