Preparedness

                                                              Preparedness

Eileen Renders

   In the twilight of my years, I have always thanked God for a never-ending supply of energy. With that energy, I have always searched for positive ways to expend my efforts to achieve, and accomplish. Today, I find that facing my mortality, I can say, more than ever, I am still positive.

   Realistically however, I have seen many decades of generations and witnessed the ups and downs of a typical life, and this is a time when I truly sense that our time of grace may be over. The world on a daily basis, faces everything from floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, mudslides, war, pandemics, and escalating violence in the Streets. These conditions are not in the United States exclusively but around the globe. Many deny that we may be in the “End Times” saying we have seen all of these happenings before, and the world has not ended. God has never given a “specific time” when it will all be over, our time of grace, that is. Although it is true, that we have seen wars, flooding, tornadoes, and crime many times earlier, it occurs to me those past episodes do not compare with the intensity, or the fact that it is all occurring now on a daily basis.

   We are sure that God is not wanting any of us to be hurt, especially our children, but it is happening. We have caused it, and God has allowed it. God has given us all ample time to mend our sinful ways, to spend time in prayer, at Mass, and in quiet meditation hoping to create a more intimate relationship with Him. To frequent the sacraments, to teach our children how to live by the Ten Commandments that Christ Himself, has laid down for us.

   Preparedness requires that we obtain absolution for our sins, and sincerely promise not to hurt god again, to resist Satan. In doing so, God will shower His people with understanding, courage, and the trust that will help us in making a final transition from this world into God’s Kingdom where we will remain in joy for eternity.

   Not knowing when or how the Last Days will come and take us away, does require remaining in the state of grace, and trusting in Christ. He is our salvation, Christ has shown His great love for us through His Crucifixion and instituting the Sacraments, and in providing us all adequate time to get to know and love Him, it is our responsibility now to pick up our Crosses and carry them with hope and trust. This is only accomplished by living a life that will allow God to give us the strength and courage to face our mortality, and maybe even look forward to our meeting with God face to face.