How to Keep Your Sanity in an Insane World
Author: Fr. James Farfaglia | Source: Catholic.org
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX (Catholic Online) - The following is an excerpt from Get Serious! A Survival Guide for Serious Catholics, a new book by Father James Farfaglia."It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only."
Charles Dickens' words at the beginning of A Tale of Two Cities can describe most periods of human history. His words certainly apply to the times that we live in.
Only the blind and the apathetic would assert that our times are not challenging. We do live in a time of upheaval.
It is easy for many to become discouraged. However, this is not a possible response for those who call themselves true disciples of Jesus Christ.
Serious Catholics are overwhelmed by the meltdowns around us. Many are alarmed by the ever increasing collapse of the Catholic Church in this country. In some parts of the country parishes are closing at an alarming rate. Clergy scandals continue and the dwindling ranks of priests are replaced by foreign priests that nobody can understand.
A Muslim extremist wipes out a room full of American soldiers while our bravest men and women continue to fight a war that has no exit strategy or clear plan for victory. National politics has become alarmingly polarized as radicals attempt to change our great nation into a European-style socialist state.
Meanwhile, the country continues to morally spin out of control because we have forgotten God. British historian and philosopher Arnold Toynbee (1889-1975) once said: "Civilizations die from suicide, not by murder."
Nevertheless, within all of these challenges, there are many signs of hope and renewal.
Please, continue reading here.
Commentary. I offer this take as a counterpoint to what I said earlier today. I may not like the headlines, but my faith is on Jesus Christ, who protects his Church from the powers of hell and of death.