It sure seems that way doesn't it Padraig. No one seems to care. I often wonder just how few truly do get it and pray for mercy. I look around at church often just to see people's faces and when I look around I don't see many looks on their faces that would suggest they get what's going on or even get what is going on in the mass. Basically I see a lot of lukewarm just going through the motions. Now I don't look with judgement and don't want to assume people's interior lives with God but when I look around it saddens me because I just don't see the love that we must give to God and then I get sad for Him because I know He is looking but also He knows everyone's heart. How many hearts are focused on Him versus just focusing on getting to the end of mass so they can get on with their lives. It really saddens me but it also helps me to pray even harder for those souls to come to know and love Him. While we all live and breathe, even the furthest away has time to repent and to love.
It reminds me of Noah's Ark. The people laughing and jeering at Noah for building a great big wooden boat far from the sea. Mad. Then the rains came...
38For, as in the days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, even till that day in which Noe entered into the ark: 39And they knew not till the flood came and took them all away: so also shall the coming of the Son of man be.
Latest Medjugorje Message, August 25, 2024 “Dear children! Today, my prayer with you is for peace. Good and evil are fighting and want to prevail in the world and in the hearts of people. You be people of hope and prayer and of great trust in God the Creator to Whom everything is possible. Little children, may peace prevail in you and around you. I am blessing you with my motherly blessing that you, little children, may be joy for all those whom you meet. Thank you for having responded to my call.
It seems as though most people are asleep to whats going on. At least around here. If the legacy media tells them they will believe it. Otherwise it doesn't exist for them. I am so fatigued by the rampant unbelief all around me. And God forgive me, I am a coward. I keep silent. I endure small talk but all the time I want to say WAKE UP! In social settings its so difficult. I really lack courage. It must be confessed. Sins of omission are scarier sometimes than sins of commission.
I like to think that we are all called to different missions in life based on the personalities God bestowed on us. Not all are extroverted people and thus they will never have the courage or comfort to tell people to wake up. I feel like God knows who we are so when those individuals are not the type to be vocal, I don't believe that to be a sin because that is not the personality God gave us. Those that are not called to be vocal have other callings from God. Think of the cloistered nuns and monks. They don't speak to hardly anyone and yet they are in constant prayer and I would assume many suffer for souls. I could be completely wrong of course. I am not one to tell people like it is, but I do find ways to work with God and bring that to others in different ways. I'd say pray on it. If it bothers you and you do want to be one that is more vocal, then ask God for his grace to help you and if it is in His will for you, He will, but if it is not His plan for you, then pray to know what that plan is so you can do the work He set out for you. You would be amazed how God works in many. I don't speak to many on my faith and belief and yet, just yesterday my wife told me that so many know me and see me as a very devout person. Many say this to her. I had no idea and how would these people know my faith unless God placed that in their hearts and minds through what they may have noticed in me. That made me feel good because others then may find that attractive and it begins to work in their souls to work on their own personal relationship with God. God's light in and through us is very attractive. So be His light in the world and it will shine through you regardless of whether or not you are vocal about it. What is the old saying? Actions speak louder than words!
I tend to only speak out if I think they will listen of if there is a rush of bad tempered blood to my brain. There isn't a lot of point speaking to those who clearly will not listen. Witness the catacombs.
I get what you are saying I find it exceedingly difficult to articulate the faith orally yet I have penned a book on the rosary and our lady so you could say I prefer the pen to the tongue. St Therese is patron saint of the missions yet was a cloistered nun. If only we could fully understand the power of prayer we would be.truly astonished. The key is to become prayer warriors and saints. All else flows from that.
Thanks for this Padraig. Hardened hearts really don't want to hear. It comforts me to hear you say this. In the case of family members I hesitate because I don't want to push them further away. I've been listening lately to some good priests talking about the necessity to fast when we pray for others. Just give up one thing a day says Fr Mark Beard.
