The other night I couldn't sleep because thinking about the election results filled me with a sense of doom. Like many Catholics, I see the current administration's policies as a growing cancer in the soul of America, and the world. Obama's victory seems like a blow to all that is good and an assurance of the spread of evil. America is like a snowball rolling down a mountain, picking up debris as it goes along. The longer it rolls, the faster it goes, and the more difficult it will be to stop to the point of being impossible. I've read a lot of opinions on what went wrong, such as Republicans are out of touch, too many white voters stayed home, Obama has the minority vote, and the single female vote. Is there any home of getting the democrats out of the presidency? Although I don't consider myself a democrat or a republican, I saw Romney as the lesser of two evils, a way to slow the descent of this gigantic snow ball. But . . . I realize I'm looking at all of this in a worldly way. I'm looking for worldly solutions, when the truth of the matter is that what's wrong in America, in the world, isn't a worldly one--it's a spiritual one. The "right" political candidate isn't going to fix what ails us, because what ail us isn't just the government, it's the heart of America, which is made up of the hearts of each and every American. The fact is the government didn't elect Obama, the people did, indicating we are a spiritually ill people. What went wrong, I ask myself, how did we get so diseased so quickly? One reason is lukewarmness. Too few Christians have spoken up. There's over 30,000 Christian denominations in the world, yet only one consistently speaks out against the immorality of abortion, contraception, homosexuality and so on. And that's the Catholic Church. Unfortunately, even the Catholic Church, including many of the bishops, often aren't vocal enough. Certain clergy members have also been corrupted the culture, and they're as ill as the rest of us, seeking to please the world instead of God, leading many astray. God help them, help us all. I think the Church is slow to react to change, but eventually she will organize the troops and catch up. In the end, other denominations will either crumble under the weight of political and cultural adversity, or perhaps worse, they will be so completely absorbed by secular trends that their truly Christian members will leave in droves. In the end there will only be one denomination not controlled by the State and its evil ideologies, and that will be Catholic church. Only the one true Church will be left standing to oppose the rising tide of darkness. How did we get to this point? I suspect it's because we haven'tutilized the weapons given to us--prayer and fasting. As for me, I have been a slacker in praying for the conversion of sinners everywhere, including myself. I have to ask myself, do I truly believe in the power of the rosary? Or have I written it off as useful and nice for some areas of my life, but surely it's not powerful enough to fix what ails my country and the world? Or is it? If so, what do I have to fear? God is in control, if He put me on the Earth to live through these times, then I'm where I'm supposed to be. Today, I will say the rosary and leave the fate of the world in God's hands. Who am I to worry when He has promised to be with us until the end of time? If I lose my resolve, and start to worry again, ceasing to pray, I'll ponder the words of the saints: “This is the remedy that should be used in the struggle against evil. Pray the rosary daily.” --In 1980, during an interview in Germany, Pope John Paul II said, holding up a rosary “It is not a question now of asking for great victories, as at Lepanto and Vienna, rather it is a question of asking Mary to provide us with valorous fighters against the spirit of error and evil, with the arms of the Gospel, that is, The Cross and God’s Word. The rosary prayer is man’s prayer for man.” --1983 Pope John Paul II "If you say the Rosary faithfully until death, I do assure you that, in spite of the gravity of your sins 'you shall receive a never-fading crown of glory.' Even if you are on the brink of damnation, even if you have one foot in hell, even if you have sold your soul to the devil as sorcerers do who practise black magic, and even if you are a heretic as obstinate as a devil, sooner or later you will be converted and will amend your life and will save your soul, if-- and mark well what I say-- if you say the Holy Rosary devoutly every day until death for the purpose of knowing the truth and obtaining contrition and pardon for your sins." --St. Louis de Montfort from The Secret of the Rosary "The Rosary is the weapon for these times." --Saint Padre Pio "There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot solve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary." --Sister Lucia, of the seers of Fatima "Let nothing trouble you, let nothing make you afraid. All things pass away. God never changes. Patience obtains everything. God alone is enough." --Saint Teresa of Avila
I don't know enough about American politics to make a judgement on who is better. But it does seem everyone here thinks Romney would be better. You say "Too few Christians have spoken up." The question is.... Would it have change the results? How many Christians you know have justified all the immoralities which is happening in our world? How many Christians have had abortions, use contraceptives, act in homosexual ways etc...? There are now too many so called Christians who don't stand up for Christ.
Great post Rain. It is amazing how these election results have really made many people take a step back and really absorb the news and really contemplate. I always wondered what it would be like right before the secrets/chastisements started. Would we (those of us trying to be apostles for this time) have an inkling that it is right around the corner...you know...a stirring in your heart...a very strong feeling... Given Padraig's feelings, Mark Mallet's, the election results, super-storm sandy followed closely after by another nor'easter, the Nov 2nd message...it certainly seems like the time has come. I don't even have an interest in all the talk of what went wrong for the republicans and how they can win in 2016...I don't think there will be an election in 2016...and who knows if obama will finish this term. It really is prayer time...prayer and fasting time. I have been slack in the fasting, but it's time to double down. Thank you for the reminders on the power of the rosary. Let us all consecrate ourselves, our family and friends to Mary for protection under her mantle.
