Dear Parishioners,
With all of the craziness and
divisiveness in our world today, I am careful not to become another polarizing
figure contributing to the chaos. However, I believe we must always try to
speak the truth with love (see
Eph. 4:15) as St. Paul encourages.
The recent death and injury of
school children trying to attend Mass in Minnesota was tragic and heinous. I
dare say it was diabolical. So was
the murder of an innocent Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska
on the train in Charlotte, North Carolina. She did absolutely nothing deserving
death. Whether a person liked or agreed with Charlie Kirk or not, an assassin’s bullet is never the answer to
solve any disagreement. Yet, some people took a type of sick and twisted
pleasure in witnessing another human being’s tragic demise. Can’t we see how
cheap life has become to various disturbed people in our society?
Moreover, as a remedy to any problem or injustice, people should never
riot and destroy property, burn down buildings, loot retail stores, throw rocks
at cars, or justify causing physical pain in the name of some cause. We can all
remember times in the not-so-distant past when this all occurred. Will pulling
down historic statues actually change history or make life better? Will
murdering or assaulting people in the cities, towns or villages make people
want to live in those areas? Where has the moral compass gone?
The problem with modern society is complex, but underlying it all is a spiritual
warfare taking place before our eyes. There is a battle for the soul of
each person, the soul of our nation and the world. Chaos, destruction, lies and falsehoods are products of the
devil and his legions. Do not deceive yourself. Satan hates humanity and wants
to see its utter destruction. In his mind, God was a fool creating us and even
more absurd in becoming one of us and redeeming us through the Blood of Christ.
Death on a cross? We were never
worth the effort. Abortion, euthanasia, a redefined marriage and human
sexuality, a self-imposed gender identity, and anything distorting Almighty God’s plan for us are seen as good things—within our
“rights” as humans—rather than evil and contrary to His will.
The only lasting solution to our problems is a turning (a conversion) to Jesus Christ and His message of
salvation. The Gospel is good news
for a reason. And, I did not simply say a return to god, because not all images and understanding of the true God (the Holy Trinity) are equal.
There are many, many false gods in
the world. Jesus is the Son of God
and He came to establish God’s Kingdom on this earth as it is and will be
forever in Heaven. He came to do His Father’s will. He sent the Holy
Spirit to guide and protect the Church.
The spiritual battle will continue, I fear, because of the stubbornness of
our hearts, the abuse of our free-will, the enticements of the devil, our lack
of concern or initiative, our pride and arrogance toward God, and many other
reasons. However, time will run out for all of us. Whether it be by death (which comes to all) or by the
Lord’s return in glory, we will soon be facing God quicker than most of us
would like to admit. Judgment and eternity are right around the corner,
especially as we age and realize our limitations. Act now while there is time.
The Sacraments of Penance and Reconciliation and Holy Communion (Mass) are the most important spiritual helps for daily living within the Catholic Church. Participate in them often. Attend Mass in person every week (when you are physically able). Sacraments bring us grace (God’s life) unlike anything else. Yes, we need to pray, to read the Bible, to participate in works of mercy and demonstrate charity as well. We need to be other Christs—Christians.
But time will run out.
Fr. Ed Namiotka
Pastor
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