November 8th Fast

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JMJ

"We are now standing in the face of the greatest historical confrontation humanity has ever experienced.  I do not think the wide circle of American Society, or the wide circle of the Christian Community realize this fully.  We are now facing the final confrontation between the church and the anti-church, between the Gospel and the anti-gospel, between Christ and the antichrist.  This confrontation lies within the plans of Divine Providence.  It is therefore, in God's Plan, and it must be a trial which the Church must take up, and face courageously. . . 

We must prepare ourselves to suffer great trials before long, such as will demand of us a disposition to give up even life, and a total dedication to Christ and for Christ.  With your and my prayers, it is possible to mitigate the coming tribulation, but it is no longer possible to avert it, because only thus can the Church be effectively renewed.  How many times has the renewal of the Church sprung from the shedding of blood?  This time, too, it will not be otherwise.  We must be strong and prepared and trust in Christ and in His Holy Mother and be very, very assiduous in praying the holy Rosary." 

(Karol Cardinal Wojtyla, November 9, 1976)

From a a political or secular viewpoint, times are uncertain and ever changing, but we know that Christ never changes, nor does His plan for us.  It is important to engage in the world, but in doing so we cannot anchor our hearts to it.  God allows us to feel the insecurity of the world in order to instill in us a greater dependence on Him.

He has given us a pathway to heaven, and the greater the difficulties that come with it, the more abundant the graces He disposes to us. It is folly to anxiously or angrily think about the future days ahead.  It gives God more glory and will draw more people to Him if they instead perform their daily duties with an obedient spirit and a joyful heart.

Our world is in sore need of evangelization, too many live in misery without even realizing it.  Faithful families can and will be the quiet light that draws them out of the darkness.  The wolves may circle the sheepfold, but the Shepherd stands watch ready to guard His sheep from attack.  We must not be fearful of the attacks or temptations to come, but rather through prayer and penance, prepare ourselves for any trials that will arise.

Our Blessed Lady knew from the moment Simeon spoke to her in the Temple that a "sword would pierce her heart", that she would suffer greatly because of the suffering of Her Son.  And yet, though she kept the prophecy in her heart, pondering its meaning, she did not wait anxiously for the coming day, constantly wondering when it would come and dreading the time of its arrival.  Rather, she lived a life of prayer and sacrifice, ever faithful to her vocation as wife and mother. And when the day came for Her Son's "hour", she, herself, started Him on the path to His Passion asking Him to work His first miracle in Cana.  She abandoned herself to God's mercy throughout her life and her trust in Him was firm, formed on the solid foundation of prayer.  Let us turn to her in times of temptation or uncertainty, imploring her assistance and asking her to help us trust in God and have the courage necessary to triumph over trials.