Posted on 09/05/2005 7:05:25 AM PDT by NYer
TORONTO, September 2, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - In his thought-provoking editorial in September's Catholic Insight magazine, editor Rev. Alphonse de Valk puts the same-sex "marriage" onslaught into a perspective that perhaps many have been thinking but have not voiced. Writing about the recent enactment of gay "marriage" legislation in Canada, Fr. de Valk writes, "But let us not be despondent. Instead, let us set this latest defeat in its proper context so that at least we may understand what we are facing."
The editorial quotes the Roman Catechism (Council of Trent, 1546) as teaching that "the general judgment will be preceded by these three principal signs: the preaching of the Gospel throughout the world, a falling away from the faith, and the coming of the Antichrist." It notes that the "first has been fulfilled". Indeed on February 21, 2001, in an address which received scant attention, Pope John Paul II, speaking of the "signs of the times," announced that the Gospel was "spread now in all corners of the planet."
With regard to a falling away from the faith, Rev. de Valk says, "It is now recognized within the Catholic Church that the loss of faith among the peoples who once constituted Christendom is well advanced. Recently, Pope Benedict spoke of Europe as a Godless society. 'Europe,' he said, 'has developed a culture that, in a manner unknown before now to humanity, excludes God from the public conscience, either by denying Him altogether, or by judging that His existence is not demonstrable and therefore uncertain and belonging to the realm of subjective choices, something, in any case, irrelevant to public life.'"
The editorial adds, "The heartland of Christianity, Europe, while retaining pockets of strength as in Poland, has essentially apostasized, and so have overseas settlements such as Australia and Canada and, to a lesser extent, the United States." The article does not come to any conclusions or make any predictions regarding these facts and how they appear, for the first time in history, to complete the first two conditions for the "general judgement".
Particularly striking about the editorial is the fact that Rev. de Valk has never been prone to apocalyptic suggestion. Rather, as an academic, political analyst and historian, he has in the past been known to disparage any such suggestions.
Frightening.
Frightening.
Coincidence? What are the odds? Like Rev. de Valk, I normally rationalize away apocalyptic events but something truly odd occured last night. And I just can't shake it.
After packing the basset boys off to bed, I opened the Bible to read them a 'bedtime' story. As usual, I allowed the Book to open at random (we've read such wonderful stories that way!).
The Book opened to Ezekiel 7 - Thus says the Lord God. Disaster upon disaster! See it coming! An end is coming!
After days of watching the news stories on Katrina, I shuddered and let the Book open to another story ...
The Book opened to the Book of Nahum. I had never read this one so I began reading out loud ... "The Lord's coming in Judgment!"
I trembled. Soft brown basset eyes looked up at me. Once again, I let the Book open at random.
This time the Book opened to Matthew 24 - Beginning of Calamities.
With that, I closed the Book, turned off the light and began praying the Rosary. I realize the Bible is filled with many prophetic books and stories of calamity and disaster .... but what are the odds of this occuring 3 times in a row?!
I'll never attend a gay marriage, mainly because I don't want to have to kiss the bride.
But they are such a lovely couple; it's just tearjerking.
Will Boston and San Francisco be the next sites of natural disasters?
I'll give you 2:1 odds that either one or both of the brides has HIV.
Be not afraid. Even as John Paul II preached that and lived it, to the end of his days, so must we, confident in the Resurrection of Our Lord and our place in heaven through Holy Church, its sacraments, saints, and the protection of Our Lady and Archangel Michael.
We shall not be moved by false prophets, even if they claim to be Christians, Prods or Catholics. We shall not be moved by omens and confusion. Our faith is built on the eternal Rock.
No one but the Father knows the day and the hour. For us individually, and for God's good green Earth, Our Lord will come like a thief in the night, so what is there to fear?
If I can say with Paul at that awesome hour, that I fought the good fight, it will be enough.
Erin go Bragh!
Tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic
Tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic
Tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic
Tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic
Tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic
The hour is nigh. Time's running out.
....
-Theo
Tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic
Tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic
Tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic
Tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic
Tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic
The hour is nigh. Time's running out.
....
-Theo
Wait just a darn minute? Canada sanctifies perverts marrying and NEW ORLEANS get a hurricane?!
The Lord's ways are mysterious indeed.
"Wait just a darn minute? Canada sanctifies perverts marrying and NEW ORLEANS get a hurricane?!
The Lord's ways are mysterious indeed."
Is this God "chastizing those whom He loves"?
It seems often enough that those closest to God are the ones who bear the most burdens and sufferings, for the sake of the Body, the Church (Col 1:24)
Regards
I think we are being told. I am a lazy sleeper, but for the past couple of months I am rooted out of bed at an early hour to get to daily Mass.
It is as though someone is telling me, "Get!"
The only thing holding this back are the remaining Catholics who still adhere to the faith. As their numbers dwindle, the floodgates will open. There will be nothing left to prevent modern society from slipping into the post-Christian barbaric abyss. It will be a cruel, hideous, and inhuman stage of post-civilization.
Preliminary? We've been in the midst of it. The signs actually are pointing to the peak already having been. Embryonic stem cell issues will be a problem so long as the medical community is convinced that something good will come of it. That is a problem.
At this point, all we can do is pray and do our best against it.
"Wait just a darn minute? Canada sanctifies perverts marrying and NEW ORLEANS get a hurricane?!
The Lord's ways are mysterious indeed."
Like New Orleans is as pure as the wind driven, pre-acid rain snow.
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