{"id":46557,"date":"2022-01-05T19:05:03","date_gmt":"2022-01-06T01:05:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/?p=46557"},"modified":"2022-01-08T13:09:40","modified_gmt":"2022-01-08T19:09:40","slug":"an-unapologetic-apocalyptic-view","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/an-unapologetic-apocalyptic-view\/","title":{"rendered":"An Unapologetic Apocalyptic View","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/h5>\n

 <\/p>\n

…there is none more blind than he who does not want to see,
\nand despite the signs of the times foretold,
\neven those who have faith
\nrefuse to look at what is happening.\u00a0
\n<\/strong><\/em>\u2014Our Lady to Gisella Cardia<\/a>, October 26th, 2021\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h5>\n

I AM<\/strong> supposed to be embarrassed by this article’s title \u2014 ashamed to utter the phrase “end times” or quote the Book of Revelation much less dare to mention Marian apparitions. Such antiquities supposedly belong in the dust bin of medieval superstitions alongside archaic beliefs in “private revelation”, “prophecy” and those ignominious expressions of “the mark of the beast” or “Antichrist.” Yes, better to leave them to that garish era when Catholic churches billowed with incense as they churned out saints, priests evangelized pagans, and commoners actually believed that faith could drive away plagues and demons. In those days, statues and icons not only adorned churches but public buildings and homes. Imagine that. The “dark ages” \u2014 enlightened atheists call them.<\/p>\n

But I’m not ashamed. In fact, I feel sorry for those who cower behind the hedges when apocalyptic themes stroll by; or those who quickly change the subject before breaking a sweat; or those who pretend in their homilies that we didn’t just hear Mass readings on the “end times” (a perfect time to focus on Old Testament yore, tell a joke \u2014 or just remind everyone that each day could be our “end time.”) However, after watching and praying in this apostolate for 17 years; after listening to pope after pope since the 1800’s declare that we are entering the apocalypse;[1]<\/sup><\/a>cf. Why Aren’t the Popes Shouting?<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/span>