Recently I had the occasion to chat with some friends of mine on the happenings of the day. One of the friends is a practicing Catholic and one is not much of anything. As different as these folks are, they had similar thoughts on the future. The near future. The Catholic friend told me that she feels that all the events of the last forty years are coming to a head. That the time is now. Tribulation. Triumph.
I appreciate her point of view and admit that I wonder sometimes myself. The next day I had a conversation with a slightly left leaning friend of mine. As is typical of us, we began chatting about the events of the past months. Initially hopeful about the election of Obama (although he won’t tell who he voted for. I think he is scared of me.) he has since soured. Remarkably, although not in the same terms or context, he also senses that the U.S. and the world are facing dramatic crises and changes in the not too distant future. He sees a poorer world, a simpler world. A new world having gone through the crucible of what is to come.
Two very different people and perspectives but with a common vision. Something is coming. Something soon. Something that will change everything.
In writing this post I have reflected on all that has transpired just since the new year. Stock market crashes, attacks on the Pope, attacks on the Church (from inside and outside), the funding of embryonic child destruction, and so much more.
For certain the Church and our country have been through worse crises. It is also certain that the Church, eventually, will triumph. But I can’t help but wonder. My friends feel it, I think I may feel it too. Something is coming, perhaps already begun. It is not pessimism, I don’t think, and it is not resignation either. I am still prepared for the fight however long it takes. But I realized when I decided to write about my friends sense of the future, I feel it too.
Is something coming? Do you feel it?
March 11, 2009 at 3:00 am
Patrick – gee thanks, now you’ve got Phil Collins in my head.
No, you’re not alone. Every day I wonder how much more patience must God have. How much more can He take and sit back and watch His children screw up His creation????
Live each day as it it were your last.
March 11, 2009 at 3:18 am
I have similar feelings, Patrick. It’s neither paranoia nor pessimism. Just a sense of an impending rendevous with…something. For the past year or so I’ve had a strong desire to remain in a state of grace, and to go to Confession much more frequently.
And to add what TragUnhipMom said – some day, God’s patience will expire, and Judgment will be served.
March 11, 2009 at 4:31 am
I feel it. I waver between worry and tinges of excitement. A little like Mother Angelica when asked about End Times: “Bring it on! I’m ready!”
I think we are living in “big history.” But…I’ve still got so many books to read!
The FatMan
March 11, 2009 at 5:29 am
I love the site. I have to say I to feel somethng big is coming, but its a combination of things; first, with the lifting of the SSPX excomunications and their rejoining the church along with the Tradtional Anglicans, the church is on the verge of epic renewal! Second the collape of 500 years of protestantism is begining. An lastly the possible reunification of the Orthodox and the Catholics ending 1000 years of disunity. All of this in my lifetime!
The church is being strengthened for a fight. The armies are forming. But don’t lose hope the Catholic Church will win and peace will come. The fight is coming!
March 11, 2009 at 5:37 am
From all these tragedies will rise extreme positions. People will cling to faith to withstand these hard times.
The scary version is that new faiths will arise. There can be a negation of the divine through atheism, negation of the capitalistic model through socialism, negation of freedom through the cult of personality.
The hopeful version is that traditional faith will achieve new depths and religion can be transformed into authentic relationships with God that will bear fruit in service.
In a word, heaven or hell will come.
March 11, 2009 at 5:48 am
I think people are starting to feel that are culture and mores, just like our economic system, are no longer sustainable. I certainly feel that way; the world of abstract finance is over- and so is the world of careless irresponsibility. Now is a good time to spread the message of transcendence- that true happiness and lasting satisfaction can only come through rising above the self. There is an opportunity here for the Christian message.
Let’s all pray for the Church and our Pope in the murky days to come! The enemy can read the signs as well, as evident by the near constant attacks on the Church in the last few months (Williamson, Brazil, Connecticut, ESCR, Mexico City, Orissa and on and on…)
March 11, 2009 at 8:13 am
Intriguing blog topic today. It be prudent, me thinks, to consider the attempt to introduce legislation in Connecticut as yet another (significant and worrisome) sign of things to come. Such a blatant attempt to interfere with the Church is entirely wicked, and it appears that the proposed legislation is the echo of an ideology that has its origin with certain catholics-in-name-only. Traitors! This is bold stuff… dark skill akin to that of the devil.
March 11, 2009 at 9:53 am
Tribulation??? Dude, you need to stop listening to the Protestant Fundamentalists.
March 11, 2009 at 10:10 am
yeah, I also feel that something big is coming. Not sure what, but life as we know it won’t be the same.
Just remember that whatever trials this old world goes through, that Our Lady of Fatima promised an era of unprecedented peace after it. Hopefully, by the Grace of God, I can make it through the trials.
March 11, 2009 at 11:27 am
I have to agree. In the past year, there is a feeling among almost all my friends that something is on the horizon. Part of it is unease and the other part is hope. This topic comes up at every coffee get together, dinners out etc. If I think about it too much it scares me so I just keep very close to the sacraments, pray every moment I can and place my trust in Jesus.
March 11, 2009 at 11:56 am
Perhaps it’s already here – perhaps it’s been here all along and we’re just realizing it now. I have felt a call toward simplicity, basic things, the Church, the silence of the monastery, time with God for a year now. I fear more that those in power will fail to see the signs and heed the call and our society will have to suffer a bigger fall as a result.
March 11, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Not to downplay your premonitions, but in a sense something is always coming.
The little daily interactions we have with each other, the prayers we say or don’t say, and the sacrifices we make or neglect have effects on others, some of whom we may never meet.
As C.S. Lewis wrote, we often forget it, but every day we work and eat and talk with immortals.
And as Fr. Corapi often says, we are in a war.
Courage, brothers!
March 11, 2009 at 12:20 pm
I, too, feel like something is coming. I truly mourn for the United States. I was too young to really remember what it was like when Clinton came into office, but this feels too different. It’s not all about political party, but at least with Bush, you knew his heart was in the right place, even if his execution was sometimes lacking.
With Obama and his new policies, I can’t help it, I feel a new evil has been unleased. Forget the economy or health care reform (except to the degree that abortion will become a fundamental health obligation in universal care). The brazenness of the attacks on life and marriage are about my worst-case scenario. It’s as if Satan has turned all of his attention to the U.S., now that he has pretty much gutted Europe. I foresee real persecution of my wife and our growing family in the coming years, along with the whole Church.
As LarryD said, I want to receive Confession frequently and remain in a state of grace. I will try to strengthen my faith, so the Lord can use me as his soldier in whatever battles he needs me.
March 11, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Do you feel it?
I do feel it. But then, I’ve felt it before, and nothing happened.
March 11, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I’ve spent time trying to figure out how what I would do now would be any different if this WAS the end of time compared to if it was NOT the end times. Ultimately, I haven’t gotten any taps on the shoulder from God saying that this is the end, but God did orchestrate a cross country move for our family and I’ve felt called to the wilderness.
Medical issues stemming from my difficulties in childbirth have given me the zeal to read just about every midwifery text book I can get my hands on. If people have to start going off the grid to have babies due to forced “family planning” numbers, it will be very important to have people who know how to safely deliver babies in low tech situations.
I think we have at least 15 years left before a serious confrontation, if one is coming. Other than that, our obligations remain the same: love God, serve Him and love one another in kindness and truth.
March 11, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Oh, IT is coming alright. Rest assured, IT is coming. Now, I don’t know what IT is, but IT is very, very bad.
I feel like a cloud of darkness is descending on everything. I feel IT in my bones and in my spirit.
God save us from IT.
March 11, 2009 at 1:50 pm
I don’t think it’s the end times so much as the end of America. Which, while sad (come on, admit it, we all managed to convince ourselves that we were ‘the city on a hill’) is hardly unprecedented or a harbinger of the end of days.
So, I think I must feel a lot like the Romans did when the Pax Romana dissolved and barbarians started sweeping across Europe.
Or like Europeans did during the plague, or the crusades.
I probably feel like the French did on the eve of their revolution, or like the British did as their empire broke up.
But, as disasterous as all these things were, the Church continued. Nations have always risen and fallen. Civilations crumble as the barbarians inside and out attack.
But the Church continues. Even if we don’t, even if our whole civilization doesn’t….
That said, even though I DON’T think this is the endtimes, it is the end of something big. And it’s going to hurt a lot. Rome brought peace and prosperity to the known world, but Rome failed.
I feel like I’m living in the last days of Rome. The republic is crumbling, we’ve decided we want an emporer. Rome hung on longer because it was revitalized by the church. (Contra Gibbons!) But the US? I have a feeling we’re just going down….
Sorry to be so depressing guys– maybe it’s just the change in the weather…..
March 11, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Is something painful coming? Definately.
End times? I doubt it. I think the end will be much less obvious.
The Church will see us through, that I’m not worried about.
So long as we don’t run out of wine, whiskey, and songs, I think we’ll be fine.
March 11, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Yes, I've felt that sense of foreboding for some time now. Remember how 9/11 shook people to their core — even non-religious people. "Everything has changed". I was hopeful that out of the rubble, people would come back to God. Almost 8 years later, the country is back to normal — only it's worse now. I agree that we probably aren't in the end times. People can predict it all they want, but Jesus said no one knows the day, nor the hour. But I do agree that the trajectory of America is swirling downward. How can we survive like the America of the 40s & 50s when 4,000 American citizens die EACH day? God will not be mocked. Something definitely is coming and I've felt this urge to start preparing physically and spiritually. Gird your loins, this is spiritual warfare at its most intense. Thank God for our Rock, the Catholic Church. Pray unceasingly. God bless.
March 11, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Deirdre,
I agree with you about the waning days of the United States (though in the course of history, this might take 20-50 years or more). The question is, who or what replaces the US as the reining empire? Does the Muslim takeover of Europe via immigration and birth, hastened by European “culture,” signify the rise of a Muslim state? Or will China actually get its act together? Russia has depopulated itself too much to ever be more than a significant regional menace, and I see that issue arising with China’s rapidly aging demographics, too.
Perhaps there will not be one or two dominant world forces, but 4-5 major regional forces and alliances (US, China, India, Brazil?). If a Central or South African nation could really transform itself, I could see a century of prosperity based in Africa. The Middle East is too fragmented, and Europe’s spine was removed a few decades ago, though it would like to think otherwise.
The world is very different now than the times when other nations crumbled. I don’t know who or what would fill the vacuum.