Jesus condemned by Michael D. O’Brien
THIS week, the Mass readings begin to focus on the Book of Revelation. I am reminded of a stunning turn of events for me personally back in 2014.Continue reading
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Final Thoughts from Rome
The Vatican across the Tiber
A significant element of the ecumenical conference here was the tours we took as a group throughout Rome. It became immediately apparent in the buildings, architecture and sacred art that the roots of Christianity cannot be separated from the Catholic Church. From St. Paul’s journey here to the early martyrs to the likes of St. Jerome, the great translator of the Scriptures who was summoned to the Church of St. Laurence by Pope Damasus… the budding of the early Church clearly sprung from the tree of Catholicism. The idea that the Catholic Faith was invented centuries later is as fictitious as the Easter Bunny.Continue reading
Day 4 – Random Thoughts from Rome
WE opened up this morning’s ecumenical sessions with a song. It reminded me of an event several decades ago…Continue reading
Day 3 – Random Thoughts from Rome
St. Peter’s Basilica, the view from EWTN’s Rome studios
AS various speakers addressed ecumenism at today’s opening session, I sensed Jesus say interiorly at one point, “My people have divided Me.”
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Continue reading
Day 2 – Random Thoughts from Rome
St. John Lateran Basilica of Rome
DAY TWO
AFTER writing you last night, I managed only three hours of rest. Even the dark Roman night couldn’t fool my body. Jet lag wins again.Continue reading
Random Thoughts from Rome
I arrived in Rome today for the ecumenical conference this weekend. With all of you, my readers, on my heart, I took a walk into the evening. Some random thoughts as I sat on the cobblestone in St. Peter’s Square…
STRANGE feeling, looking down on Italy as we descended from our landing. A land of ancient history where Roman armies marched, saints walked, and the blood of countless many more was shed. Now, highways, infrastructure, and humans bustling about like ants without the fear of invaders gives the semblance of peace. But is true peace merely the absence of war?Continue reading
The New Beast Rising…
I am travelling to Rome this week to attend an ecumenical conference with Cardinal Francis Arinze. Please pray for all of us there that we may move toward that authentic unity of the Church that Christ desires and the world needs. The truth will set us free…
TRUTH is never inconsequential. It can never be optional. And therefore, it can never be subjective. When it is, the result is almost always tragic.Continue reading
The Great Chaos
When natural law and the responsibility it entails are denied,
this dramatically paves the way
to ethical relativism at the individual level
and to totalitarianism of the State
at the political level.
—POPE BENEDICT XVI, General Audience, June 16th, 2010
L’Osservatore Romano, English Edition, June 23, 2010Continue reading
Saint and Father
DEAR brothers and sisters, four months have now passed since the storm that wreaked havoc on our farm and our lives here. Today, I am doing the last repairs to our cattle corrals before we turn toward the massive amount of trees that still remain to be cut down on our property. This is all to say that the rhythm of my ministry that was disrupted in June remains the case, even now. I have surrendered to Christ the inability at this time to really give what I desire to give… and trust in His plan. One day at a time.Continue reading
Medjugorje… What You May Not Know
The six seers of Medjugorje when they were children
Award-winning television documentarian and Catholic author, Mark Mallett, takes a look at the progression of events to the present day…
AFTER having followed the Medjugorje apparitions for years and researched and studied the background story, one thing has become clear: there are a lot of people who reject the supernatural character of this apparition site based on the dubious words of a few. A perfect storm of politics, lies, sloppy journalism, manipulation, and a Catholic media mostly cynical of all-things-mystical has fueled, for years, a narrative that the six visionaries and a gang of Franciscan thugs have managed to dupe the world, including the canonized saint, John Paul II.Continue reading
Going to Extremes
AS division and toxicity increase in our times, it is driving people into corners. Populist movements are emerging. Far-left and far-right groups are taking their positions. Politicians are moving toward either full-on capitalism or a new Communism. Those in the broader culture who embrace moral absolutes are labeled intolerant while those who embrace anything are considered heroes. Even in the Church, extremes are taking shape. Disgruntled Catholics are either jumping from the Barque of Peter into ultra-traditionalism or simply abandoning the Faith altogether. And among those who are staying behind, there is a war over the papacy. There are those who suggest that, unless you publicly criticize the Pope, you are a sellout (and God forbid if you dare quote him!) and then those who suggest any criticism of the Pope is grounds for excommunication (both positions are wrong, by the way).Continue reading
Surviving Our Toxic Culture
SINCE the election of two men to the most influential offices on the planet—Donald Trump to the Presidency of the United States and Pope Francis to the Chair of St. Peter—there has been a marked shift in public discourse within the culture and the Church itself. Whether they intended it or not, these men have become agitators of the status quo. All at once, the political and religious landscape has suddenly changed. What was hidden in the darkness is coming to light. What could have been predicted yesterday is no longer the case today. The old order is collapsing. It is the beginning of a Great Shaking that is sparking a worldwide fulfillment of Christ’s words:Continue reading
The Fall of Mystery Babylon
Since writing this follow-up to Mystery Babylon, I am stunned to see how America continues to fulfill this prophecy, even a few years later… First published August 11th, 2014.
WHEN I began to write Mystery Babylon in 2012, I was taken aback at the remarkable, mostly unknown history of America, where the forces of darkness and light had a hand in her birth and formation. The conclusion was stunning, that despite the forces of good in that beautiful nation, the mysterious foundations of the country and its present state seem to fulfill, in dramatic fashion, the role of “Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth.” [1]cf. Rev 17:5; for an explanation as to why, read Mystery Babylon Again, this present writing is not a judgment upon individual Americans, many whom I love and have developed deep friendships with. Rather, it is to shed light on the seemingly deliberate collapse of America that continues to fulfill the role of Mystery Babylon…Continue reading
Footnotes
| ↑1 | cf. Rev 17:5; for an explanation as to why, read Mystery Babylon |
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The Power of Judgments
HUMAN relations—whether marital, familial, or international—have seemingly never been so strained. The rhetoric, anger, and division are moving communities and nations ever closer to violence. Why? One reason, for certain, is the power that lies in judgments. Continue reading
The Growing Mob
Ocean Avenue by phyzer
First published March 20th, 2015. The liturgical texts for the referenced readings that day are here.
THERE is a new sign of the times emerging. Like a wave reaching the shore that grows and grows until it becomes a huge tsunami, so too, there is a growing mob mentality toward the Church and freedom of speech. It was ten years ago that I wrote a warning of the coming persecution. [1]cf. Persecution! … and the Moral Tsunami And now it’s here, on Western shores.
Footnotes
| ↑1 | cf. Persecution! … and the Moral Tsunami |
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Toward the Storm
ON THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
IT is time to share with you what happened to me this summer when a sudden storm assailed our farm. I feel certain that God allowed this “micro-storm,” in part, to prepare us for what is coming upon the whole world. Everything I experienced this summer is symbolic of what I have spent nearly 13 years writing about in order to prepare you for these times.Continue reading
Choosing Sides
Whenever someone says, “I belong to Paul,” and another,
“I belong to Apollos,” are you not merely men?
(Today’s first Mass reading)
PRAY more… speak less. Those are the words Our Lady has allegedly addressed to the Church at this very hour. However, when I wrote a meditation on this last week,[1]cf. Pray More… Speak Less a handful of readers somewhat disagreed. Writes one:Continue reading
Footnotes
| ↑1 | cf. Pray More… Speak Less |
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Hope and Healing Conference
ARE you worn out, tired, or joyless? Are you discouraged, depressed, or losing hope? Are you suffering from your own brokenness and that of those around you? Does your heart, mind, or body need healing? At a time when the Church and the world continue to descend into turmoil comes a much-needed two-day conference: Hope and Healing.Continue reading
Weep, O Children of Men!
First published March 29th, 2013.
WEEP, O children of men!
Weep for all that is good, and true, and beautiful.
Weep for all that must go down to the tomb
Your icons and chants, your walls and steeples.
Pray More… Speak Less
The Hour of Vigil; Oli Scarff, Getty Images
MEMORIAL OF THE PASSION OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST
Dearest brothers and sisters… it’s been so long since I have had the opportunity to write a meditation—a “now word” for our times. As you know, we have been reeling here from that storm and all the other problems that cascaded during the past three months. It seems that these crises are not over, as we just learned that our roof has been rotting and needs to be replaced. Through it all, God has been crushing me in the crucible of my own brokenness, revealing the areas of my life that need to be purified. While it feels like punishment, it is actually preparation—for deeper union with Him. How exciting is that? Yet, it has been extremely painful to enter into the depths of self-knowledge… but I see the loving discipline of the Father through it all. In the weeks ahead, if God wills it, I will share what He is teaching me in hopes that some of you may also find encouragement and healing. With that, onward to today’s Now Word…
WHILE unable to write a meditation the past few months—until now—I have continued to follow the dramatic events unfolding throughout the world: the continued fracturing and polarization of families and nations; the rise of China; the beating of war drums between Russia, North Korea, and the United States; the move to unseat the American President and rise of socialism in the West; the growing censorship by social media and other institutions to silence moral truths; the rapid advance toward a cashless society and new economic order, and thus, central control of everyone and everything; and last, and most notably, the revelations of moral putrescence in the Catholic Church hierarchy that has led to a nearly shepherd-less flock at this hour.Continue reading
Wormwood and Loyalty
From the archives: written on February 22nd, 2013….
A LETTER from a reader:
I totally agree with you — we each need a personal relationship with Jesus. I was born and raised Roman Catholic but find myself now attending the Episcopal (High Episcopal) church on Sunday and becoming involved with the life of this community. I was a member of my church council, a choir member, a CCD teacher and a full-time teacher in a Catholic school. I personally knew four of the priests credibly accused and who confessed of sexually abusing minor children… Our cardinal and bishops and other priests covered up for these men. It strains belief that Rome didn’t know what was going on and, if it truly didn’t, shame on Rome and the Pope and the curia. They are simply horrid representatives of Our Lord…. So, I should remain a loyal member of the RC church? Why? I found Jesus many years ago and our relationship has not changed — in fact it is even stronger now. The RC church is not the beginning and the end of all truth. If anything, the Orthodox church has just as much if not more credibility than Rome. The word “catholic” in the Creed is spelled with a small “c” – meaning “universal” not meaning only and forever the Church of Rome. There is only one true path to the Trinity and that is following Jesus and coming into relationship with the Trinity by first coming into friendship with Him. None of that is dependent upon the Roman church. All of that can be nourished outside of Rome. None of this is your fault and I admire your ministry but I just needed to tell you my story.
Dear reader, thank you for sharing your story with me. I rejoice that, despite the scandals you have encountered, your faith in Jesus has remained. And this doesn’t surprise me. There have been times in history when Catholics in the midst of persecution no longer had access to their parishes, the priesthood, or the Sacraments. They survived within the walls of their inner temple where the Holy Trinity resides. The lived out of faith and trust in a relationship with God because, at its core, Christianity is about the love of a Father for his children, and the children loving Him in return.
Thus, it begs the question, which you have tried to answer: if one can remain a Christian as such: “Should I remain a loyal member of the Roman Catholic Church? Why?”
The answer is a resounding, unhesitating “yes.” And here is why: it’s a matter of staying loyal to Jesus.
Update from Up North
I snapped this photo of a field near our farm when my hay equipment broke down
and I was waiting for parts,
Tramping Lake, SK, Canada
DEAR family and friends,
It’s been awhile since I have had a moment to sit down and write you. Since the storm that struck our farm back in June, the whirlwind of ongoing crises and problems has kept me away from my desk literally ever day. You would not believe it if I told you all that continues to happen. It has been nothing short of a mind-numbing two months.Continue reading
On True Humility
A few days ago, another strong wind passed through our area blowing half of our hay crop away. Then the past two days, a deluge of rain pretty much destroyed the rest. The following writing from earlier this year came to mind…
My prayer today: “Lord, I am not humble. O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart unto Thine…”
THERE are three levels of humility, and few of us get beyond the first. Continue reading
Surpassing the Pharisees
WE hear these words from the Gospel several times a year, and yet, do we really let them sink in?Continue reading
Your Kindness
SINCE the storm on Saturday (read The Morning After), many of you have reached out to us with words of comfort and asking how you can help, knowing that we live on Divine Providence in order to provide this ministry. We are so grateful and moved by your presence, concern, and love. I am still a bit numb knowing how close my family members were to possible injury or death, and so grateful for God’s watchful hand over us.Continue reading
The Morning After
BY the time evening rolled around, I had two flat tires, had broken a taillight, took a huge rock in the windshield, and my grain auger was spewing smoke and fuel. I turned to my son-in-law and said, “I think I’m going to crawl under my bed until this day is over.” He and my daughter and their newborn baby just moved from the East coast to stay with us for the summer. So, as we walked back to the farmhouse, I added a footnote: “Just so you know, this ministry of mine is often surrounded by a whirlwind, a storm…”Continue reading
The Last Effort
The Last Effort, by Tianna (Mallett) Williams
SOLEMNITY OF THE SACRED HEART
IMMEDIATELY after Isaiah’s beautiful vision of an era of peace and justice, which is preceded by a purification of the earth leaving only a remnant, he writes a brief prayer in praise and thanksgiving of God’s mercy—a prophetic prayer, as we will see:Continue reading
The Wrangling Over Words
WHILE couples, communities, and even nations become increasingly divided, perhaps there is one thing that we nearly all agree upon: civil discourse is rapidly disappearing.Continue reading
The Coming Age of Love
First published on October 4th, 2010.
Dear young friends, the Lord is asking you to be prophets of this new age… —POPE BENEDICT XVI, Homily, World Youth Day, Sydney, Australia, July 20th, 2008
Challenging the Church
IF you are looking for someone to tell you that everything’s going to be okay, that the world is simply going to go on as it is, that the Church is not in a serious crisis, and that humanity is not facing a day of reckoning—or that Our Lady is simply going to appear out of the blue and rescue us all so that we won’t have to suffer, or that Christians will be “raptured” from the earth… then you have come to the wrong place.Continue reading
The Catholic Fail
FOR twelve years the Lord has asked me to sit upon the “rampart” as one of John Paul II’s “watchmen” and speak about what I see coming—not according to my own ideas, pre-conceptions, or thoughts, but according to the authentic Public and private revelation through which God continually speaks to his People. But taking my eyes off the horizon the past few days and looking instead to our own House, the Catholic Church, I find myself bowing my head in shame.Continue reading
Human Sexuality and Freedom – Part V
TRUE freedom is living each moment in the fullest reality of who you are.
And who are you? That is the aching, over-arching question that mostly eludes this present generation in a world where the elderly have misplaced the answer, the Church has fumbled it, and the media has ignored it. But here it is:
Human Sexuality and Freedom – Part IV
As we continue this five part series on Human Sexuality and Freedom, we now examine some of the moral questions on what is right and what is wrong. Please note, this is for mature readers…
ANSWERS TO INTIMATE QUESTIONS
SOMEONE once said, “The truth will set you free—but first it will tick you off.”
Human Sexuality and Freedom – Part III
ON THE DIGNITY OF MAN AND WOMAN
THERE is a joy that we must rediscover as Christians today: the joy of seeing the face of God in the other—and this includes those who have compromised their sexuality. In our contemporary times, St. John Paul II, Blessed Mother Teresa, Servant of God Catherine de Hueck Doherty, Jean Vanier and others come to mind as individuals who found the capacity to recognize God’s image, even in the distressing disguise of poverty, brokenness, and sin. They saw, as it were, the “crucified Christ” in the other.
Human Sexuality and Freedom – Part II
ON GOODNESS AND CHOICES
THERE is something else that must be said about the creation of man and woman that was determined “in the beginning.” And if we don’t understand this, if we don’t grasp this, then any discussion of morality, of right or wrong choices, of following God’s designs, risks casting the discussion of human sexuality into a sterile list of prohibitions. And this, I am certain, would only serve to deepen the divide between the Church’s beautiful and rich teachings on sexuality, and those who feel alienated by her.
Human Sexuality and Freedom – Part I
ON THE ORIGINS OF SEXUALITY
There is a full-blown crisis today—a crisis in human sexuality. It follows in the wake of a generation that is almost entirely un-catechized on the truth, beauty, and goodness of our bodies and their God-designed functions. The following series of writings is a frank discussion on the subject that will cover questions regarding alternative forms of marriage, masturbation, sodomy, oral sex, etc. Because the world is discussing these issues every day on radio, television and the internet. Does the Church have nothing to say on these matters? How do we respond? Indeed, she does—she has something beautiful to say.
“The truth will set you free,” Jesus said. Perhaps this is no more true than in matters of human sexuality. This series is recommended for mature readers… First published in June, 2015.
Courage in the Storm
ONE moment they were cowards, the next courageous. One moment they were doubting, the next they were certain. One moment they were hesitant, the next, they rushed headlong toward their martyrdoms. What made the difference in those Apostles that turned them into fearless men?Continue reading
Enough Good Souls
FATALISM—an indifference fostered by the belief that future events are inevitable—is not a Christian disposition. Yes, Our Lord spoke of events in the future that would precede the end of the world. But if you read the first three chapters of the Book of Revelation, you’ll see that the timing of these events is conditional: they hinge on our response or lack thereof:Continue reading
Mini Skirts and Mitres
“The Glitter Pope”, Getty Images
CHRISTIANS in the Western World are no stranger to mockery. But what happened this week in New York pushed new boundaries even for this generation.Continue reading
Interpreting Revelation
WITHOUT a doubt, the Book of Revelation is one of the most controversial in all of Sacred Scripture. On one end of the spectrum are fundamentalists who take every word literally or out of context. On the other are those who believe the book has already been fulfilled in the first century or who ascribe to the book a merely allegorical interpretation.Continue reading
Turn in the Road
WHAT should be our personal response to the elevating confusion and division surrounding Pope Francis?Continue reading