Being Catholic in today's society requires and demands much courage. This reality is one that has been present since the birth of our Church. One may think we are immersed in " the hardest of times" or facing "unbearable darkness", yet, we must remind ourselves about a not so distant history in order to continue striving toward supernatural hope; enabling us to remain persistent in prayer and faith. This history I mention is written throughout the course of time and in various places where The Universal Church is found. It is written in the stories of Christ's first followers, the lives of our Saints, and numerous Martyrs. It is heard through the Psalms of David.
For many members of our Church living outside the North Americas the courage needed for them is very different. Though our freedom is threatened in many ways and seems to be fearfully progressing, there is a harsher reality present within the lives of many of our Catholic brothers and sisters in the world. There are those forbidden to attend Mass and even speak the name of Jesus. For them, there is a present reality being lived that shares equal brutality with the history we read. It is this reality that calls me to courage. It is their witness of faith that reminds me of our need to work for the Eternal. It is the reality of extreme Christian persecution from parliament to playgrounds that calls me to "trust in our Lord's love for us" as we fight to uphold His will.
Today, as we are faced with radical oppression and circumstances, Let us recall the Lord's immeasurable love for us. May we rest in the fact that our Holy Catholic Church is not held together by the hands of sinful humans but by a Divine embrace of protection and love .
"Pray, hope, and don't worry" (St.Padre Pio)
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