www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall What do you think . . .

your life would be like if it were very difficult to remain a Catholic or Orthodox Christian? Where would you see yourself?

This is not a flip question and it is not something that has an easy answer. If you've got an easy answer, you either don't see the potential for active persecution out there or you're telling yourself it can't happen in the United States or other Western countries.

Reread the British thread about thought control.

Take a look at the conditions people endured under militant atheism.

Understand that the Bible is considered hate speech in certain of its verses in some Western countries at this writing.

Look at the annual attempts to censor Christmas and the discouragement of Christian students in public schools over various issues while it is okay to have them recite Muslim prayers and study the Quaran in some places in the name of "diversity."

BOB

It is not about to remain Catholic or Orthodox Christian, it is about to remain with Christ.

If I would have to confront the power of darkness, I would pray to remain with Christ, to remain sane in mind. In Romania there is a dark past, communism etc. I would choose to die, may Christ have mercy upon my sinful soul.

Brother Bob, people, communism was violent and aggressive, but what I see coming from Western world is much worse. In EU etc there is a project in which they want to ban any religious expression in pubic, they want that we have chips and other control things. They attack the life by any means.

"The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God "
They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds;
There is no one who does good.
The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men
To see if there are any who understand,
Who seek after God.
They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt;
There is no one who does good, not even one..."

I'm puzzled. Romania is assuredly no paradise, but why would I choose to die if I lived there?

Fr. Serge

It seems that I was severely misunderstood.

I see it coming much sooner than the majority of people do, and not just from the government. There is a rapidly growing group of people within the US who are becoming militantly anti-Christian. Just visiting various online forums, reading letters to newspapers etc, it becomes abundantly clear how much hatred there is for Christianity. How soon before we see a repeat of what occured in Spain in the first 3 decades of the 20th century, when Satanic mobs firebombed churches, and murdered priests and nuns in broad daylight.

I too think that unless we do something about it, this could happen sooner than we think. Being at a secular school has shown me the kind of animosity people hold for Christianity, particularly Catholicism. Most of it, I believe, is due to their ignorance. I think the best thing we can do is to educate our children and instill the faith in them so that, when challenged, we can all stand up and say "no you're wrong, that isn't what the church teaches or believes." Let's forget about being PC and start living BC-biblically correct.

I believe that Mark Steyn is correct when he writes that America is the last least hope. When we fall we must stand and face the persecution or move to Africa, Asia, or South America. (Or maybe Texas).

CDL

So move to Ireland!

Fr. Serge

Easy to do? I'm still looking for Right of Return paperwork (like the Palestinians are bucking for), but have yet to find it.

Sadly thats all ready happening not on that massive of a scale of course but preists and nuns are being killed churches burning. (Weather thats arson or actual accidents I don't know.)

I understood Marian.

He was saying that if he had to choose life outside of the Eucharist, he would still choose Christ.

Philippians 1
20
My eager expectation and hope is that I shall not be put to shame in any way, but that with all boldness, now as always, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
21
For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.
http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/philippians/philippians1.htm

"What do you think your life would be like if it were very difficult to remain a Catholic or Orthodox Christian? Where would you see yourself?"

The world is one scary place BOB. I try not to dwell on it too much for if I do I could be lost in despair.

I think it is very difficult to live the life now. Not just the interior life, but life for a young family in a community can be tough. The ridicule is very intense at times. Truly living the life presents many strained relationships in the extended family, community, sometimes within the Church herself. Protecting the youth is one tough job; with GOD'S help we can do anything. Lord have mercy.

When it gets bad enough (and I do believe those days are coming) we celebrate secretly, even if it comes to celebrating within the family unit alone. Whatever it takes we do it. If it comes down to death, then we will be prepared for that, may the Blessed Mother look after her children. The only sure answer I have is to stay close to the Mother of GOD, refuge of sinners.

What do I think it will be like in the future, more of the same, just much more intense. GOD is already preparing a people for the days ahead....The bright spot that I do focus on is the climax of the battle, when GOD will rise up the most wonderful Saints. St Louis de Montfort gives us a description of the Saints of the latter times in the book, True Devotion to Mary:

"They will carry the gold of love in their heart, the frankincense of prayer in their mind and the myrrh of mortification in their body. They will bring to the poor and lowly everywhere the sweet fragrance of Jesus, but they will bring the odour of death to the great, the rich and the proud of this world.

57. They will be like thunder-clouds flying through the air at the slightest breath of the Holy Spirit. Attached to nothing, surprised at nothing, troubled at nothing, they will shower down the rain of God's word and of eternal life. They will thunder against sin, they will storm against the world, they will strike down the devil and his followers and for life and for death, they will pierce through and through with the two-edged sword of God's word all those against whom they are sent by Almighty God."

I see hostility right in my own home towards Catholicism. My dear wife doesn't understand, nor does she make an attempt to. My work is having a banquet and the Bishop will be there. She was concerned that we might start saying "Hail Mary" and she'd be left just sitting there. I need a severe move of the Lord on my wife's heart. Lord give me strength to endure....

I will offer prayers for this intention.

I wonder if your best witness to your wife right now would not be having gainful, full time employment that supports your family. That may seem a bit harsh, and I truly understand where you are coming from. However, God has given you a wonderful wife, and two precious little ones, that my dear brother is your first responsibility. God is a God of order. He wants us to love him and give our all for him, but, you as husband, father, and head of household, have the work of provision - after all, isn't that what God did for us first - he made provision. Possibly you can do this work with the radio station - that you are doing now - as a second job.

Even good things, or things that seem to be good, are not always what God desires for us at a given point in time. I would suggest that you get with your priest and be totally honest with him about your situation and see what he recommends you do.

Read 1John 4, and ask what is it that is making you afraid to work in the world. Maybe that is where you witness needs to be. God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of boldness, love, and compassion that needs to be taken to a hurting world. http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/1john/1john4.htm

Has your being Catholic come about since your marriage, or were you an inactive Catholic when you got married? It sounds like this is all something 'new' to your wife. She is pregnant, under financial duress, working full time, and caring for another child, plus a home, and husband. Stop and take notice, no wonder she is upset.

Don't force religion on her, but love her into the Catholic Church. In her eyes right now, one of the best ways you can do that and show her God's love is through provision for your family.

God bless you!