Most importantly at this time, each one of us must be seeking perfection, which is why I started the series so long ago. What impedes the spiritual life is mostly sin and the tendencies to sin, but faulting thinking about the nature of the Church in the world and the proper response is the third obstacle.
The false thinking resembles these types of comments. Like a "True/False Quiz" ask yourself if you fall into these categories. Also, look at all the persecution tagged articles here.
"Oh, God will protect us and hide us and we shall not be hurt". False.
"The Church will see a huge number of converts and become triumphant as in the past." False
"I am just going to be quiet and let God take care of these problems which are too big for me." False
"All the Christians will come together in the end and stand up against persecution." False
And so on...
The proper attitude of a Catholic, some of whom are being persecuted even now, paying fines for not taking part in ACA, losing jobs because they are teachers who refuse to teach the ssm is "ok", DREs who stand up against the lies concerning the possibility of women priests or inter-communion, should include the following mind-sets.
One, the Church will last until the Second Coming of Christ, but most likely as a small remnant.
Two, the Church will be purified and soon of all the errors, including the errors of some bishops supporting ssm, communion for the divorced-remarried and not annulled, support of abortion, support of contraception will be eradicated, leaving a remnant. Expect more than one schism across the world.
Three, Catholics have a duty to save souls and evangelize now, as the window of opportunity will shut soon.
Four, we shall not have regular access to the Mass and the sacraments. If anyone has a habit of mortal sin, this must be rooted out now, as one may not be able to get to confession in the near future.
Five, each Catholic must cooperate with grace now and work with God on personal holiness, purity of heart, and the life of the virtues. I see few people concerned about developing the virtues and gifts of the Spirit. Without the virtues being operative, one cannot stand up to evil and persevere in goodness.
Six, Catholics must learn to love the enemy, but be wise about whom to trust.
Seven, Catholics need to build local communities now-should have been done thirty years ago.
Eight, fasting, penances, prayers must be daily practices.
Nine, Catholics need to stop pretending that they "have all the time in the world" to sort things out.
Ten, Catholics need to work in the place God has placed them now, now, now.
The Pope Emeritus warned us and few paid attention. We have been warned.
Remember, to think like a Catholic is to think like one who is a sign of contradiction in the world.
May I add today's Gospel? We must do our little bit daily. That is our Catholic duty.
Mark 6:34-44
When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them,for they were like sheep without a shepherd;
and he began to teach them many things.
By now it was already late and his disciples approached him and said,
“This is a deserted place and it is already very late.
Dismiss them so that they can go
to the surrounding farms and villages
and buy themselves something to eat.”
He said to them in reply,
“Give them some food yourselves.”
But they said to him,
“Are we to buy two hundred days’ wages worth of food
and give it to them to eat?”
He asked them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.”
And when they had found out they said,
“Five loaves and two fish.”
So he gave orders to have them sit down in groups on the green grass.
The people took their places in rows by hundreds and by fifties.
Then, taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven,
he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples
to set before the people;
he also divided the two fish among them all.
They all ate and were satisfied.
And they picked up twelve wicker baskets full of fragments
and what was left of the fish.
Those who ate of the loaves were five thousand men.
