Perspectives of a Wanderer

You have hear of the quote “Patience is a Virtue”. However, in todays society, it seems to have been turned into a vice. In society where “instant gratification” is expected, the short term seems to be the only thing that people care about. This has given way to a sort of myopic about the larger picture.

Take as an example, the bio-fuel controversy and food prices. Yes, bio-fuels are contributing to higher prices, but it is only a very small part of it. Over speculation in the commodity markets, government paying farmers NOT to plant, can the cost of oil making production and transportation costs rise all contribute more that the diverting of some crops to make bio-fuels.

What many do not see (or do not want to see in some cases) is that more and more sources of bio-fuels are being developed and they are starting to become available on the market. It may take a few years, but expect less and less bio-fuels being made from non foodstock materials. Secondly, farmers are starting to bring fallow land out of the government programs and are starting to utilize them again. There is over 3o million acres of unused farmland. In addition, land that is not considered to be farmable can be used to grow grasses that can be used to biomass for the bio-fuels industry. Lastly, there are many places around the world that can support crops that is not being used due to conflicts and government mismanagement and corruption. If these obstacles can be eliminated, this land can be used for producing food.

All of the above can increase supplies of food and this lower the cost not only by the supply, but costs of transportation since it will be closer to where it is needed. And, with the increase in bio-fuels from non foodstock, energy cost will come down too due to the alternatives to oil.

Yes, there will be pain in the short run and people do not like that because of their myopia. However, if the bigger picture of the long run is looked at, the future can and will be better for it.

Yes. patience is a virtue. I just wish other would see that.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. 15 Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven”. (MT 5: 14-16 RSV)

Many today are afraid to show their faith both through words and/or action out of fear of ridicule of their faith. We are meant to light to the world not remain hidden. This has been true from the very beginning. Throughout the first couple of centuries of the Church, Catholics openly expressed their faith even under the penalty of death.

Today, it seems many have been defeated by the Secular Relativism that has permeated every aspect of society. Wanting to fit in has overridden the moral backbone that has made up society. This is not the way it is meant to be. Like the Catholics of the first century, we must resist the trappings of the Secular Society so we may live.

Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you. (MT 5: 11-12 RSV)

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” (Mt: 28: 19. RSV)

That was the command of Jesus at the end of the Gospel of Matthew. However, it seems many Catholics these days are either unaware or unwilling to heed this command. They seem to think it is only a job for priests and deacons to proclaim God’s word. No. It is everyone’s duty. Plus, we can reach where they cannot.

A prime example of this is our everyday interaction with Muslims. Many Muslims are unaware of the true teachings of God the Father which the Jesus, God the Son, proclaimed. This is due to their sole reliance on the Quran and the teachings in the mosques.

With more and more Muslims immigrating to Christian countries, there are more opportunities to do this evangelization. We need to do this not only with words, but also with actions. By seeing how we live our lives according to the Word of God, there is a greater chance of converting Muslims to the truth.

Do not think this is possible? It has been reported that over 6 million Muslims converted to Christianity worldwide in a recent year (I have a feeling this number is low). Most of these is in Africa where there is extensive missionary activity. There are no real numbers for the US but, in France, the number was 15,000 in that same period of time.

The opportunity is there, we need to take full advantage of it.

Over the past number of years, I have been wondering if I have made the right choice in my calling in life or should I have pursued another calling.  I freely admit I am not a people person so being single is not the issue involved. Where I am coming from is what should of been my calling within the Catholic Church.  I have felt for quite awhile that I should be doing more.

I know late vocations are becoming more popular (especially for the priesthood), but I am not sure it would be for me.  Yes, I can read people well but, as I said before, I am not a people person.  Besides, I have very strong opinions on many things that may ruffle to many feathers and I like the ability to move when I like.  This would probably also rule out the diaconate.

The only other possibility would be teaching or writing.  This could be a real possibility, especially the writing portion.  Of course, that means going back to school for advance degrees.

In the past, I have experienced periods of spiritual dryness.  Most of these have occurred during times of stress.  My latest bout is no exception.

However, where some of that stress is coming from this time I have not experienced before.  Usually it has been work (which is part of it this time) or family related.  This time, part of it is related to the parish I belong to.

I have chronicled the issues in other posts, but I am not sure how I am gonna get over this.  I love how the  Ordinary Form of the Mass is celebrated there and there is very few parishes that celebrate it with that level of reverence.

Maybe I need to take another retreat (personal this time) to revitalize myself.  I do not know.  I think I will bring this up with a priest I  know the next time I see him.

Looks like that break may be coming sooner than I though.  I was basically told by a “parishoner” that I should leave.   I did not realize the cliquish nature of that parish until I became a member of it.

Also, since my confraternity is closely associated with that parish, I may have to give that a second thought too. I do not want to, but I may.

Although I do not put much credence in the “shock articles” indicative of the Main Stream Media, I believe they may be doing a service for once. There is a need to produce more agricultural goods.

With the push for bio-fuels (which I contend does not have to be made out of and currently produced food stock), and rising food prices, farmers need to bring their fields back into production. What stops them? The government subsidising farmers not to plant crops. Billions of taxpayer dollars are wasted on this program. In addition, these subsidies cause prices to remain artificially high, thus creating an extra burden on the country and the world.

With over 30 million acres inactive (and that is just registered farm land) , just think how much more crops could be produced and what the reduction in prices would mean.

Reading America Alone: The End of the World As We Know It by Mark Steyn, I see how dangerous Relativism is.  Due to relativism’s  illogic, the population in many western and Asian countries are close to or are in decline due to being below the replenishment point of 2.1 children per woman.

Since the relativist myth that the world is over populated has been exposed as a fraud, they are using the “man made global warming” myth to further their goal of exterminating the human race from earth.

We, who reject this dangerous philosophy, must stand up to the Relativists and eliminate them from any influence in today’s society.  Only then will society once again flourish under to moral authority and guidance of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

This is a follow up to the incident in What Makes the EF Mass Unpalitable to me.

Since that incident, I have not felt comfortable at Mass at my current parish. To be honest, it has not been just that incident though. There is one priest there who I have issues with. Some of his recent homilies have come close to crossing a line that I have and some of his writings on his blog have gone over that line.

Maybe it is time, I took a break (unofficially) and visits other parishes like I have done in the past. Some on a forum where I am active have invited me to visit their parish. From what I have read, it is similar to my parish in its reverence at the Ordinary Form of the Mass.

I have not decided yet on what I should do. Maybe I need to talk to my Spiritual Director about this. He know this other parish since his order has done missions there.

On a forum where I am a member, there has been a discussion of Hamas Cleric Predicts ‘Rome Will Be Conquered by Islam’ (also Islam plans to topple the Papacy). In that discussion, a counter article was presented ( Islam and Christianity: Looking at the Numbers ) on the millions (6 million was the number given) of Muslims that convert to Christianity each year.

It makes you pause and wonder if the total number of Muslims is really as high as stated.  Do they still count Muslims who converted as Muslim.  I think they do (i.e. Once Muslim Always Muslim).  Secondly, is 6 million converts last year accurate or are there more that have secretly converted and are not in the numbers. Lastly, is the rate of conversion steady or is it increasing.  Somehow, with the migration to non-Islamic countries increasing, I would have to guess the rate is also increasing.

It will be interesting to see how the numbers go in the next couple of years.  I, for one, see a bright future if these numbers hold.