I am hopeful but ready for a rough ride

You are very correct, Jesus wasn't 'targeted', but as I stated in previous post -'he had come to their attention..'

The below is taken from Anne Catherine Emmerichs book,

As Jesus had in the schools illustrated His answers and explanations by all kinds of examples from nature, art, and science, the scribes and doctors had diligently gathered together masters in all these branches. They now began, one by one, to dispute with Him. He remarked that although, properly speaking, such subjects did not appear appropriate to the Temple, yet He would discuss them since such was His Father's will. But they understood not that He referred to His Heavenly Father; they imagined that Joseph had commanded Him to show off His learning.

Jesus now answered and taught upon medicine. He described the whole human body in a way far beyond the reach of even the most learned. He discoursed with the same facility upon astronomy, architecture, agriculture, geometry, arithmetic, jurisprudence and, in fine, upon every subject proposed to Him. He applied all so skillfully to the Law and the Promise, to the Prophecies, to the Temple, to the mysteries of worship and sacrifice that His hearers, surprised and confounded, passed successively from astonishment and admiration to fury and shame. They were enraged at hearing some things that they never before knew, and at hearing others that they had never before understood.

Jesus had been teaching two hours, when Joseph and Mary entered the Temple. They inquired after their Child of the Levites whom they knew, and received for answer that He was with the doctors in the lecture hall. But as they were not at liberty to enter that hall, they sent one of the Levites in to call Jesus. Jesus sent them word that He must first finish what He was then about. Mary was very much troubled at His not obeying at once, for this was the

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first time He had given His parents to understand that He had other commands than theirs to fulfill. He continued to teach for another hour, and then He left the hall and joined His parents in the porch of Israel, the women's porch, leaving His hearers confounded, confused, and enraged. Joseph was quite awed and astonished, but he kept a humble silence. Mary, however, drawing near to Jesus, said, "Child, why hast Thou done this to us? Behold, Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing!" But Jesus answered gravely, "Why have you sought Me? Do you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" But they did not understand. They at once began with Him their journey home. The bystanders gazed at them in astonishment, and I was in dread lest they should lay hands upon the Boy, for I saw that some of them were full of rage. I wondered at their allowing the Holy Family to depart so peaceably. Although the crowd was dense, yet a wide path was made to permit the Holy Family to pass.

 

Wow. In gospel account there is no hint of animus. Only astonishment at His wisdom.

 

Brilliant!

 

This is today's sad reality.

All I can do for my children and grandchildren is pray and offer penance.

And I feel like an old woman! Totally worn out
Lord Have Mercy
Jesus I trust in your Divine Mercy

 

I could have written this Josephite. This is exactly how I feel. Lord have mercy on us! Christ hear us. Christ graciously hear us. Jesus I trust in Your Divine Mercy.

 

Yes, yes.. of course. We are not required to believe anything other than sacred scripture. As we know however, some visionaries are recognized by the church as authentic.
I think Anne Catherine Emmerich is one such. Mel Gibsons movie 'The Passion' was based on her book....

 

I agree. I dont discount it at all. It makes sense.

 

Leaving Corona virus aside - even leaving the current worldwide disasters, famines etc aside (for they seem so far away, and do not directly touch most of us here) - but focusing instead on the great apostasy --- for it has very likely touched all of us; this rejection of the faith.

I see it in once packed-out Sunday masses that are now half-empty pews.
I see it in the half-hearted homily of many priests; afraid to offend.
The homilies of aged priests should be full of wisdom; but they too are drained by the ever-watchful eye of the world.
I see it in the negative reactions of my now adult siblings at the mention of the faith.
And by default, I see it in their children; who cannot recite a Hail Mary.

Most profoundly tho, as a social worker, I see it in the breakdown of the family. There is a catastrophe afoot. The very bedrock of society is falling.

The result is that children do not just apostasise; but they downright 'hate' - and their default position often is aggression, hostility, violence, loss of morals, and worse.

The apostasy is here.
We really must be close to the end.

 

You have spoken true. This apostasy touches us all. It is truly desperate--these poor lost worldly people. Priests cowered and bishops silent. "The ones who should speak will remain silent"(Our Lady of Good Success) Thank God for the promise that Our Lady is coming.

 

I've been digging back into Divine Mercy at the adoration chapel again lately. Even though I've read it many times I always find many things I have forgotten or just didn't stick with me.

The words from Jesus about the 3PM Holy Hour really struck me this time since I am in the same boat with family and friends, etc. Jesus is very explicit when he talks about praying for others. He says I WILL give them the grace of conversion. Now, He doesn't say when (could be at the moment of death) or how or if many or most will reject this grace but I have to believe and trust that Jesus wouldn't ask this and offer this if it wasn't effective. I trust Him, he doesn't lie and doesn't mislead. So I know most of my family will be converted even if the illumination is long after. This also goes for the conversion of all sinners.

More About the Hour of Mercy
From the Sisters of Merciful Jesus
In October 1937, in Cracow (Poland), Lord Jesus instructed Sister Faustina to venerate the hour of His death and to connect with Him in prayer referring to the value and merits of His Passion.

“I desire that you know more profoundly the love that burns in My Heart for souls, and you will understand this when you meditate upon My Passion. Call upon My mercy on behalf of sinners; I desire their salvation. When you say this prayer, with a contrite heart and with faith on behalf of a sinner, I will give him the grace of conversion. This is the prayer: O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us, I trust in You” (Diary 187).

“At three o’clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony. This is the hour of great mercy for the whole world. I will allow you to enter into My mortal sorrow. In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion…” (Diary, 1320).

“…as often as you hear the clock strike the third hour, immerse yourself completely in My mercy, adoring and glorifying it; invoking its omnipotence for the whole world (…). In this hour you can obtain everything for yourself and for others simply by asking; it was the hour of grace for the whole world – mercy triumphed over justice
(…) try your best to meditate on the Stations of the Cross in this hour, provided that your duties permit it; and if you are not able to say the Stations of the Cross, then at least step into the chapel for a moment and adore the Blessed Sacrament, My Heart, which is full of mercy; and should you be unable to step in to the chapel, immerse yourself in prayer wherever you happen to be, if only for a very brief instant. I claim veneration for My mercy from every creature” (Diary, 1572).

“On the Cross, the fountain of My mercy was opened wide by the lance for all souls – no one have I excluded!” (Diary, 1182).

 

Jackzokay,

Such a heartfelt burden to place in the Lord's hands when one personally experiences the loss of Faith in our younger generations. For the evil one, patience is not something he needs to cultivate. His deception has been woven throughout the generations. Of course, he then dumps on us claiming the rebellion of our younger generations is our fault thus causing discouragement.

Now is the time to cry out with great fervor: Jesus, we trust in Thee! Does the Lord not hear our prayers? Does not Our Heavenly Father have a plan to thwart the enemy? Does not the Holy Spirit know and claim as His own those whom He has baptized through and into the Church. Let us trust in the compassionate Wisdom, the perfect timing of the Almighty, and the Triumph of His Daughter, Mother Mary!

 

As I kneel before you,
As I bow my head in prayer,
Take this day, make it yours
And fill me with your love.

Ave Maria,
Gratia plena,
Dominus tecum,
Benedicta tu.

All I have I give you,
Every dream and wish are yours,
Mother of Christ,
Mother of mine, present them to my Lord.

Ave Maria,
Gratia plena,
Dominus tecum,
Benedicta tu.

As I kneel before you,
And I see your smiling face,
Every thought, every word,
Is lost in your embrace.

 

Yes, it is both amazing, and disturbing. I have to admit my youngest is the the one who has fallen the furthest away from his faith. He was basically 'indoctrinated' by leftist professors at a very liberal college, and grad school was even worse. By the time he had graduated from the 'twilight zone university' he had become the authority of everything, and had developed an aversion to his faith. There are moments when I hear him talking and I think, " Who are you, and what have you done to my son? "
I think it will take a catastrophic event to bring these kids back to the Church.

 

Jo we have a lot in common. My youngest too--leftist liberal college and then graduate school--and I too wonder. He told me about 7 years ago that "my" Church says he's going to hell and that he didnt care because all the cool people would be there. I dont know how I managed to get through that conversation. I told him that I needed him to promise me one thing. As his mother I was asking a serious promise. He said "what is it?" And I said "to imprint on your mind and memory this truth. That God is mercy itself. That Jesus will always forgive you. That there is nothing He wont forgive if you ask Him with a sincere heart. Right up to the last minute."
He gave me a pained look but said "okay." Just to end the conversation probably. I am trusting Our Lady on this one.

 

Yes, the events will get people on their knees. But as a father who has 2 in college now (getting brainwashed) I firmly believe that prayer is most important, especially from their father. Have your husband watch this video from Father Heilman and the exorcist Father Chad Ripperge who teach about how as their father he has God given rights to bind demons away from his children and your home and whole family:

 

I just listened to a talk on sensus fidellium so worth listening to. It goes right to this very thing. Its titled "despair not good soul."
Just listened to it!

 

Will do. Thank you for this. My husband is taking our son's departure from faith very, very hard.

 

At that moment AED, you were blessed with just the right thing to say to your son; he will remember his mother's words when the time comes. Without our prayers, and the grace of God to hold us up, I don't know how we would ever manage.

 

Very powerful reminders, thank you!

 

I love listening to Father Ripperger. I have learned so much about the sacraments and sacramentals through his lectures and talks. Fathers and Mothers have many tools at our disposal to help combat the scourging of these times we simply must pick them up and use them.