In These Decisive Times

As I began my prayer this morning, a wave of various emotions washed over me. It was a wave that began in the middle of the night, one filled with great anticipation, yet stocked with the unknown. We are entering into decisive times where a final sifting is taking place. Consider these three prophetic voices, spanning over nearly 70 years:

The final battle between the Lord and Satan will be about marriage and the family because it is the decisive issue. —Sr. Lucia of Fatima in a letter to Cardinal Carlo Caffarra, 1983; cited in Twilight of Marxism: Medjugorje, the Downfall of Systematic Evil, and the Fulfillment of the Secret of Fatima by Dr. Thomas Petrisko, (p. 743), Kindle Edition.

We are now facing the final confrontation between the Church and the anti-Church, of the Gospel and the anti-Gospel of Christ versus the anti-Christ… It is a trial… of 2,000 years of culture and Christian civilization, with all of its consequences for human dignity, individual rights, human rights and the rights of nations. —Cardinal Karol Wojtyla (JOHN PAUL II ), at the Eucharistic Congress, Philadelphia, PA; August 13, 1976; cf. Catholic Online (quote confirmed by Deacon Keith Fournier who was in attendance)

A a great battle is about to take place. A battle between my Son and Satan. —Our Lady to Marija Pavlovic, Sunday, August 2, 1981; Ibid. Twilight of Marxism, (p. 745)

The very foundations of our faith, the rock upon which the Church is built, is being tested by the Great Storm that is descending upon the world. Divisions are multiplying; wars are intensifying; technology increasingly threatens and assails our job security, relationships, freedoms, and purity of heart. The days drag on… the years go by… and the saints become increasingly weary, just as Scripture seems to foretell…

He shall speak against the Most High and wear down the holy ones of the Most High… (Daniel 7:21, 25; cf. The Wearing Down of the Saints)

At the same time, I am moved with a kind of awe-filled excitement knowing that the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart is another day closer; that God is going to bust through the chaos and darkness of our times as the prophecies of both Heaven and the Magisterium come to fulfillment, and the world’s course will be forever altered. For Jesus Christ is Lord of this Storm too.

Forging On

It is against this backdrop that I daily continue to discern my own calling that has morphed over the past 30 years — from television reporter, to recording artist, to now the unexpected work of writing and speaking to you through The Now Word. I can honestly say that I have no interior sense that the Lord has asked me to stop or change course from this apostolate. If anything, I wonder if He is calling to a more frequent engagement of the intensifying Storm (discerning that). Nonetheless, your emails and responses to this work continue to confirm that it is bearing the right kind of fruit, and so I forge on.

Part of the inner turmoil I experienced this morning was the realization that donations have steeply dropped off this year. In fact, were it not for a single soul from the eastern U.S., we would have run dry months ago. The rising cost of living, overall economic uncertainty, and the fact that I rarely ask for help are probably all contributing factors.

As you know, I hate having to beg. But as I opened the Gospel this morning, these words jumped from the page, and I knew it was time to appeal to you again:

Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. (Matt 10:9-10)

In other words, Jesus was asking His Apostles to trust in His providence. At the same time, “the laborer deserves his keep”, meaning that His providence will come through the Body of Christ.

Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words — go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. (v. 11-14)

What I am finding now is that the issues we face are becoming increasingly complex. It is taking many more hours to read, research, and understand what the Lord is asking me to speak to, even though the “now word” is often simple and straightforward. This remains a full-time ministry for me to keep up and provide reflections to you that are rooted in facts and our Catholic Faith. I have staff salary, large expenses, and technical needs to keep our websites running, and unexpected expenses like the one this month (we have had an unprecedented 20 inches of rain here in northern Alberta, and our sewer line has partially collapsed under the weight of the soil, which will cost thousands to repair).

Yes, I need your support, as always. But I want to say to those who are suffering economic hardship: please do not feel burdened or guilty if you cannot donate to this ministry. Instead, donate your prayers. I repeat to you the words of Isaiah with joy and sincerity:

All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, buy grain and eat; come, buy grain without money, wine and milk without cost! (Isaiah 55:1)

July is an awful time to reach out for support, as people are on holidays, spending their savings on vacations, etc. So I deeply apologize for the timing… but we are down to the wire, and I have little choice — barring a win at the lottery (but I guess you have to buy a ticket first!).

For my part, I will continue to provide reflections here, correspond with readers, keep Countdown to the Kingdom and our newsite updated, and answer those invitations to speak at conferences or on other webcasts as they come. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for your prayers, Masses said, past support, and words of encouragement.

I wish you peace…

P.S. I will try to resume podcasts of these reflections ASAP! I am coming into hay season here on our little farm, so it will also be busy over the next couple of weeks — if the rain stops! Thanks for understanding!

Thank you!