A college friend was stunned I wanted to "give it all up" to consider becoming a Franciscan priest. He couldn't understand how "anyone could live off of less than $2M a year." For real. In the decades that followed, our paths diverged. He went on to make over $500M, and now manages his own multi-$B hedge fund. Living the dream, most would say.
Shortly after that, in seminary, the wisdom of Pope St. John Paul II awakened me to my unique identity and mission in building the "cornerstone of civilization"... Catholic marriage and family. One of the building blocks along the way was helping to drive the successes of Hollywood films. With that came another temptation to go off the rails: Colleagues were perplexed how I could turn down the capacity to retire in a few years, if I'd just move the fam to L.A.
Why did I choose to "give it all up"? As St. Francis understood, it wasn't giving up. It was gaining. Everything. God so alive in marriage and family. And so many others. Which was such an anchor while working with ecclesial institutions that were more crippled than those in the secular world. Given strength to embrace the "opportunity" to suffer for the very ones causing it.
All along I was "haunted." By clear awareness that God made us all cripple. That we might radically rely upon Him. I was haunted by the awareness that, for too many "good" and "practicing" Catholics, our aspirations for this world are robbing us of the next. We can not adore both. And too many of us are compromising. Settling. Playing games. Lost in the lukewarm. (Rev. 3:15-17)
The defining reality we share: God's Hand right now is literally reaching into each of our lives, particularly through our sufferings, molding us. That we might see the world as He sees it. As it truly is. Sanely. "God-bathed." (Frank Sheed, "Theology and Sanity") That we might accept our truest, eternal identity and mission. And live it. Fully. Now.
Those humbly availed, with all you've got (or striving to be), thank the Lord Jesus Christ. Right now. From your heart. For those who find it convenient to regard all this as "over the top," please, don't let my profound imperfection, my broken witness, my fallen humanity, stand in the way.
But please don't dismiss the same from Our Blessed Mother. Corroborating the Gospel of these days. And so many "approved" private revelations. God is speaking from the heavens. The door of Mercy is closing. Justice is upon us. For those with eyes to see, this is playing out around us.
One example of many. Our Lady, Akita, Japan, to Sr. Agnes Sasagawa, October 13, 1973:
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"As I told you, if men do not repent and better themselves, the Father will inflict a terrible punishment on all humanity. It will be a punishment greater than the deluge, such as one has never seen before. Fire will fall from the sky and will wipe out a great part of humanity, the good as well as the bad, sparing neither priests nor faithful. The survivors will find themselves so desolate that they will envy the dead. The only arms which will remain for you will be the Rosary and the Sign left by My Son. Each day recite the prayers of the Rosary. With the Rosary, pray for the Pope, the bishops and priests."
"The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals, bishops against bishops. The priests who venerate me will be scorned and opposed by their confreres...churches and altars sacked; the Church will be full of those who accept compromises and the demon will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord.
"The demon will be especially implacable against souls consecrated to God. The thought of the loss of so many souls is the cause of my sadness. If sins increase in number and gravity, there will be no longer pardon for them"
"With courage, speak to your superior. He will know how to encourage each one of you to pray and to accomplish works of reparation."
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Lord Jesus Christ, be my Lord.
Without reserve. Without fear.
All I have and am is Yours.
Awaken us now.
Pour forth Your Holy Spirit.
Let Your Kingdom come.
Amen.
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