Hot Take: This is the best time to be a Christian
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- Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
- Prophets of doom say the Church is dying. They wish we could go back to the past. Not me. I think we're at a really exciting time in Church history.
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22 years an atheist, came to Christ, 1 year a protestant, now, in OCIA and converting to Catholicism. I feel BLESSED!
I converted from new age spiritualism to Catholicism about six months ago.
Welcome home!
@@fallenkingdom-zd8xh Thanks brother
May I ask why?
@@LuisRamirez-vv4dk Because spiritualism is nothing but feel good. It’s not stable ground on which you can build a life.
This reminds me of old joke I've heard:
Two Swiss watch salesmen, one old and one young, are sent to a wild African country to investigate whether there is any demand for watches there. The old salesman returns with sad face and reports: "No chance. No one wears a watch there." The young one returns full of enthusiasm: "Amazing opportunity! No one wears a watch there!"
I rediscovered my faith a couple months back, after a decade long hiatus of youthful pride and agnosticism.
Good friends brought me back to the straight path, and life is looking better than ever.
Its always the best time to find God.
Praise the Lord!
what an amazing testimony, God bless! 🙏
Welcome home
Fr. Casey, at least here in Brazil, I've realized that a lot of young people are becoming more aware of their Christian Catholic faith. I have the impression that in the social media scenario, for example, where young people stand out, there has been an increase of evangelization. Also, a catholic event for youngsters here in Brazil called PHN reunited around 200 thousand people worshiping Christ. I've also recently came back to Jesus and I'm now getting to know more Catholicism. So, I think something important is going on, thank God
Eeee outra Brasileira q acompanha F. Casey!!
Watching this video as I wait for the 6pm friday mass. We may not be the many, but we are SO willing to be here.
Here is another one BR! God Bless you, sister.
Has there? Social media's currency is likes and dislikes. It commodifies human interaction, dumbs it down to a series of dopamine hits. Who can truly experience evangelization in that type of climate?
"The Church will become small and will have to start afresh more or less from the beginning. She will no longer be able to inhabit many of the edifices she built in prosperity."
- J. Ratzinger, 1969
But there are more Catholics than a century ago.
@@stephenandersen4625
In numbers or in disciples?
In numbers, but the thing is that’s just population overall growth. If we take into account the none Catholics, the number of Catholics isn’t very much bigger in proportion to the rest of the population now, of course we have quintupled in number since the last century though.
I am no longer convinced that is true. I watched Shameless Popery on the prophesy of Daniel 2.
@@BensWorkshop
Do you have the link for that video? I'd be interested in watching it.
One thing I don't agree with is the baggage bit. Most non-religious young people i talk to have "inherited" baggage from a lifetime of propaganda and lies
Yes, there is some of that, but it's only skin deep.
@BreakingInTheHabit i hope you are right, father. Thankfully, God can change hearts no matter how lost any of us may be. 🙏🏻
@@BreakingInTheHabit yes and no, a good number of LGBT+ people say what they have is "religious trauma" and go to therapy for it as well as other mental health issues. However, this isn't because of the Catholic Church as I'm sure you agree, but the South has a good chunk of crazy homophobic people terrorizing LGBT+ and left leaning people as a whole, most being of various protestant denominations. We need to figure out how to reach both the LGBT+ community and also the old crazies terrorizing the crapola out of them.
But this is a great and truthful video and keep letting Jesus work through you 😀
True that. I’m a Christian but the church and that last book in the Bible has put me through so much trauma that at some points I’ve thought of just giving it all up.
@@gmg9010I hear you. But giving up is what the enemy wants. Remember you aren't doing it alone, call to GOd for holy and vibrant Catholic community and God will connect you. It may not be in the way you imagined but it will happen. God's only waiting to be asked!!!
I joined the church this Easter as Catholicism is the last unchanged bastion of the west. I have graduated from Protestant seminary, fought cancer, am not healthy and yet find wonderful peace in our Lord Jesus Christ and the comfort of Our Lady. I often wonder if I missed my calling to be a priest but am happy to be home in the Church at large.
The church is also reaching many new people and places. As it did for me, a young person in Sweden some years ago, I am now training to become an organist, choir director and so on. God bless the holy catholic church!
Invite your Swedish friends to church!!!!
Wow, I can only imagine how hard and lonely it is to be Catholic in Sweden.
I agree. In the dark days of secularism we have the opportunity to rebuild the reputation of Christianity and evangelize this fallen world. There are never bad times to be Christian, just difficult times, and difficulties make for strength.
We were brought out of the dark ages, a time when the church could define reality only by the power of secularism. The only reason we stopped burning witches is secularism. And if you want to rebuild your reputation then hand over the child abusers you are hiding to the secular authorities.
I believe the peak of secularism has already happened. People are dissatisfied with the nihilism and crazy culture it’s brought, and want truth. We just have to invite them to our churches and educate them what we believe and why. The church will go through a springtime, winter never lasts forever.
Many Marian apparitions also say the church will have trouble, but after this period it will grow stronger
@@bikesrcool_1958 Do you not think we know what you believe? I mean it is not as if you folks are shy.
@@kevinkelly2162 Believe it or not, NO. Many people in this post-Christian society does NOT know the very basics of Christian faith, let alone the reasons why we do believe.
@@bikesrcool_1958 Marian apparitions are false, those are not really Mary. None of the predictions come from those stories has ever been true. It is a lying spirit out to deceive people.
I am here for this, Fr Casey. I have total faith in Christ’s Church. The Church has survived millenia of disruption, change, conflict, and prevails in spite of human frailty. Praise the Lord for He is good and His mercy endures forever 🙏
As an older Catholic, thanks for this message of hope.
Thank you, Father Casey, for this optimistic message. Without struggle, there can be no growth. If the history of the Church has taught us anything, it is that it thrives in the midst of turmoil. A muscle that is in a continuous state of relaxation, doesn't get stronger. In fact, it atrophies. A muscle that, periodically and with consistent frequency, experiences tension will get stronger. Strife purifies the faithful, and reveals the imperfections that we need to address.
I love this perspective! It's like a fresh start. Society isn't forcing anyone into religion anymore. I really like when you said something about people coming to church nowadays because they are genuinely more devoted and convicted. 🤩
Sure, but consider that a guy like Ethan Hawke, a staunch Democrat, can't have a short, sweet, honest conversation about God with his friends without them looking at him with suspicion. He confirmed as much to Dr. Russell Moore.
I woke up today thinking to myself, I'm happy to be Catholic in a time when it is unpopular unlike it was in earlier decades. When the inevitable feeling of emptiness overwhelms the secular world, everyone will come running to the Church, I thought to myself. And when that day comes, I will know that for myself and my house, we served the Lord even when it wasn't what everyone else was doing. And then I see this video first thing on my screen when I opened UA-cam this morning. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Fr. Casey.
I agree we live in interesting times, where our action make a difference. Renewal and revival is coming! God bless you brother!
Or is it? 🤔
That's a positive view from the new mindset of Gen X, Gen z. Let's BE active in our missions, church wide and personal. May we glorify You More, Lord God. In Jesus' name. Amen 🙏
I had a similar thought a few weeks ago:
"When it's easy to be a Christian, it's hard to find a Christian. When it's hard to be a Christian, it's easy to find a Christian."
Nowadays the world has so many more enticing alternatives to being Catholic; some of those alternatives are shallow pursuits, some alternatives are "churches" that are more in-line with modern popular talking points. The vine is being pruned, as it were; and once the dead branches are gone, we can explode out.
❤❤❤ the line.." we'll just have to rely on God for once." AMEN!
I’ve seen the opposite in my Parrish. All three Sunday masses are packed with a very young congregation. I think people see the craziness of our times and running back into the arms of Jesus. I love to see it.
I agree with you that this is the worst of times/best of times for the Church. As a gay man who knew the psychological torture imposed by the Church in the 1950s and 1960s, I thank God that the Church today has a better understanding of LGBTQ issues. I look forward to the future.
The Bible says it is an ABOMINATION
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH MAY CHANGE
BUT THE WORD OF GOD SAYS IT IS AN ABOMINATION and they will all go to hell if no repentance and Holy Ghost
Thank you Father!
Yes! Amazing. This is why I want to be a sister. God bless you. You inspire me
I will pray that you fulfill your desire to become a sister. May God continue to bless you and fill you with the Holy Spirit. 🙏💒🕊✝️
It's also a great time for Christians to start afresh and new. I almost see it as akin to decluttering and renewal. I'm from Australia and fires come often, but it gives way to the new life. I think this is a great time to rebuild towards a "Glory Days 2.0" - we need to learn from the past so we can forge a better future. I'm not a good consistent Christian (so pray for me people in the comments), and I hope that this will be a sign for Greater Graces and things to come.
Our parish family (2 churches & 1 school) has experienced amazing growth. We are hosting The Rescue Project this fall & looking forward to great attendance.
Father, I grew up in my Catholic Faith. I’m holding on to my faith. There are many of us. Many don’t go to church but still believe.
I agree with you, Father. We have to get to basics! I love it! I'm ready!
Such an optimistic view on a current situation!
I'm from a country in Eastern Europe, Serbia, and here it's pretty much the same situation (Note: Here most of the people is Orthodox Christian).
We had long bad streak of communism which slowed down religious upbringing, but when people went back to faith, it seems like the same thing happened where many became believers who were not truly dedicated to the Christ, they just attended the liturgy or celebrated Saints only for a sake of tradition and obligation.
Currently I'm studying illustration on Academy, and here huge percent of younger folks are atheists and don't want to hear a single word about God and Christianity. I find this situation really interesting, because I had the same thought like you Fr. Casey, how good these times are to be a Christian!
It's really hard and challenging, but also this situation gives the opportunity to spread love and faith again, to start all over again.
It also puts a lot of responsibility on us, to be a true followers on Christ, because they will know the men by his fruits...
Sometimes when I get a little bit discouraged, I just remember all the martyrs and apostles who lived in a very hostile pagan environment and they showed people the true faith by the example of their own life :)
Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this. Ecc 7:10
This!!
Very true - people often look back on some sort of imaginary, idealized past which didn't really exist. Every age has its problems. .
@@valwhelan3533 For sure, and a LOT of abuse was hidden then by nuns and priests and not given any thought it you dared to complain. Sometimes good comes out of bad and trusting that much and allowing that much power isn't good.
@@deb9806 Yes, it was (and still is) that way in every organisation but it should have been stamped out with a Christian zeal in God's Church. Those who knew and failed will have to give an account of themselves as scripture says.
@@BensWorkshop I loved the Spotlight movie, (Vatican approved) because it showed a small portion of the scandal but how people thought, how they acted and reasons why for some.
How very well said. The sound of "those walls falling down around us" is the sound of our opening ourselves up, literally not being closed in; it is the sound of freedom, of a rejuvenated Pilgrim People of God making our way - like our sisters and brothers in the early Church itself - to the Truth and the Life. As we sing in a popular hymn down here in Peru, "We are together, as brothers, members of one Church, walking to that encounter with the Lord. The road is long, in the desert beneath the sun...." We have wandered deserts before, to get to the Promised Land. And we should take great joy in wandering that desert once more. Faith. Always, always, Faith.
Thank you for the refreshing and optimistic take! Currently my local parish is going through a process of merging with a few other towns due to the lack of priests in my area and the catholic community being quite small. I think the local atmosphere is quite sad a lot heavy homilies talking about how everyone is lukewarm and following society too much which I fear is only driving more people away. But hopeully things Will start looking up as you predict.. I think we need more hope and optimism in the church so that it doesnt become a self fullfilling prophecy
Absolutely spot on, God bless you! Great message. Fr PJ
Father Casey, thank you for this. This honestly sums up so much of what I feel is drawing me back to Catholicism after not attending since I was a young child. The local parish I go to is few in number but never have I felt such a strong spirit every time I step foot in its walls. We are very much the minority but it honestly makes me feel so much more connected to the church because of it. I feel like Pope Francis also sees the writing on the wall and his ministry has really shown that in how he has been reaching out to so many, especially the young, and calling attention to the social issues of our day with compassion and wisdom. I've never been so excited to be a Catholic. I'm hoping to start OCIA here very soon and move towards communion and confirmation.
It's pretty amazing how accessible the writings of the saints and church fathers are, especially in good English translation. That's something that would have been so inaccessible for the average person until recently (new works translated every year). So thankful for that!
My parish's OCIA #'s are going up! Hope is a theological virtue.
The Holy Spirit is on the move, May God be praised!
I agree with your premises. Some Pew Research numbers show that Christianity is leveling off after many years of decline. The people who are now ready for God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit in their lives are coming to the church for the committed relationship that it is.
It's anecdotal but I see full pews in CT where I live. 30s up. I see college at near Yale because some students will go to the Sunday at 5 mass. I see some families with 4 kids and many young getting married in church. I work with 2 but 40 couples are getting married in our church next year. So I am sure it has dropped and closing some churches helped others fill but it's still heartening to see them week to week.
Amen, 58 year old cradle Catholic, I LOVE being Catholic, no joke. Love the Lord, love Jesus, love the Mass, grateful. I/we have had some lessons to learn
I feel like this is true! I am very connected to the church. But I follow the online streams. Sometimes I ask Blessed Carlo Acutis to pray for me that the internet following of the church is accepted. Sure, I know being in the church is better. But I can't go there without help (disabled). I think that there are more people like me. Without being there 'just to be there'. I do miss the holy Eucharist though.
@josje4508. Please call your Parish Priest asap. Somebody from your church can come to your home to give you communion. My church does this to the sick, hospitalized, disabled and the homebound everyday. Let me know.
I went to Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation in the pre Vatican II Church just like most other boys growing up in the 1940’s because of FEAR OF HELL. Pius the XII was a devotee of the Lady of Fatima. So, in addition to all the Catechismal warnings about the horrors of Hell (and Purgatory), we were told of Mary’s dire warnings to the child, Lucia She described the vision this way:
“As Our Lady spoke these last words, she opened her hands once more, as she had done during the two previous months. The rays of light seemed to penetrate the earth, and we saw as it were a sea of fire. Plunged in this fire were demons and souls in human form, like transparent burning embers, all blackened or burnished bronze, floating about in the conflagration, now raised into the air by the flames that issued from within themselves together with great clouds of smoke now falling back on every side like sparks in huge fires, without weight or equilibrium, amid shrieks and groans of pain and despair, which horrified us and made us tremble with fear.”
So, we kids were faithful attendees at Confession and Mass.
I admit, i feel almost stupid for wanting to join up with the church now, but yes. I agree. This is the best time to be a Catholic.
Was Jesus Catholic?
Yes or NO?
Satan attempt to mimic
Christianity
If you have the Holy Ghost and know GOD
YOU WOULD NEVER BE CATHOLIC
@@TriciaPerry-mz7tc Jesus was very explicitly a Jew, so no. I do not believe Jesus was a Catholic nor would he refer to himself as such, heck, I don't even think Jesus would have called himself a Christian since it would be quite redundant.
And if we're still on the topic, I don't even think the early church fathers or apostles would have referred to themselves as "Catholic" until at least 110 AD (when most of the original disciples were dead). The term "Catholic" did not appear as a description for the Church of Jesus Christ until St. Ignatius of Antioch's letters to the Smyrnaeans around 110 AD, some 74 years after Jesus' death. The term Catholic means "Unified", and unification of the Catholic Church, at least as it is recognized now in its current structure, wasn't technically a thing until around the 8th century AD.
You've come to the right place if you're interested in learning more about what Catholics believe and there are plenty of other Channels and Books available to read if you're interested in learning Church history 😊 ✝️
Thank you, Father💐 for lifting the gloom and this breath of fresh air🎊❤️🎁. The Church is growing exponentially in parts of the world. 94% of Catholics in my country Nigeria attend mass regularly 🤷🏽♂️
This tracks with what I've observed in other areas of life. Organizations with a lot of people who aren't committed or are there for the wrong reasons are not more successful than a small team who all share the same vision.
The Church is thriving in parts of sub-Saharan Africa. I seriously think that the future of the Catholic Church is in Africa and maybe in the not to distant future missionaries from Africa may come to Britain, Ireland, Europe and North America to re-evangelise our nations.
Writing from St Leonards, South of England. About 1 in 5 of our regular Sunday Mass attenders here is of African or Asian/Filipino origin. Two African families [one Nigerian and the other Zimbabwean] are particularly active.
I always explain that when I was in the US Navy I could go to mass in every country I was in and know that it was the same as what my family back home was hearing. It made me feel like I may not be there in person but I was celebrating the same thing as them. So it kept me home knowing that God would always take care of them when I could not, I know that god does that anyway but it just seemed to reassure me.
How prophetic was
JPII's new evangelization!
Fr. Casey, thank you for your message of hope. My parish school closed because of a decrease in enrollment- but those children are now in another Catholic Church in this town. Things change, but enrollment in my parish is increasing. We have a great faith formation team and many opportunities to grow spiritually every week.
I relate to this sentiment strongly, I used to dream of living in days of old but the more religious I become, the more I realise how much the church has learnt from their mistakes and matured over the years. God willed it that I would be born when I was and for that I thank him greatly.
You are correct. I am a baby boomer. I remember my home parish church having two simultaneous Masses to take care of all the Mass attendees. That parish split into three separate parishes, all of which still exist but not with anywhere near the attendance. All we got from the priest is "You must fulfill your weekly Mass obligation." Of those 3 parishes one is growing due to immigrants from Latin America, the other two are now one parish. But now I see stronger more committed parishes. A poor beat up Church is a Church that is committed to Christ and the Gospel.
Make a video on how to pray, because idk what to say outside of repetitive gratitude.
Thank you for this Casey ❤️❤️❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻
Father Casey, I think you should visit your Franciscan brothers in Colombia. And if you have the time, extend your visit at least one day and visit a typical Colombian parish like Our Lady of Transito in Tocancipa (20 miles from the capital Bogota) and a shrine like Our Lady of Fatima also in Tocancipa. Surely here in Colombia there are many things that you can copy in the USA to revive the faith. And if you think so, we invite you to a good lunch typical of the region.
Our priests run 6 churches in our city, they are part of a large parish although churches keep their names. My daughter wants to marry in her childhood church and the priest said I'm glad, because another church i our group has 40 couples wanting to get married next spring/summer and he feels like a wedding planner ; ) It made me smile and then I heard 2 of the medical assistants I work with are getting married in church vs venues. Sure not the majority, but it more than I heard of in the past.
A thousand Catholics, who have a zealous devotion to the faith are worth more than a million lukewarm Catholics, who simply attend Mass because of a social obligation. As in most things in life, striving for quality is better than being preoccupied with quantity. Even if we lose members of our faith to the secular world, if those that remain have a greater dedication to the spirit of Gospel, we come out ahead.
Something something chaff from the wheat
I think that Christians should endeavour to do as the Bible tells us to, and seek God with our whole hearts.
Strongest Christian copium I've seen in a while
But from those look warm Catholics, God continually does his saving so we need them on board or they will be completely lost in the world.
A very narrow and pompous look at it…
I left christinaity when I was 15 and have never looked back. While I was bummed out that I realized there isn't a pre-determined "point to life" that we as a humanity get handed from book, I do feel better knowing that I can think and act freely without having to worry about the irrational fear of an "eternal hellfire". NO hate to yall tho :) that's just my take on things
The Catholic church is exactly where it needs to be...I often feel like asking my priest does he feel privileged to be doing what he's doing at this time? Myself, I started going back to mass after years but I was the kind of Catholic the church could do without. I never even knew what the Eucharist really meant in my late forties....I needed to drop away then return by my own steam.
Yes, whilst I never doubted, I did not necessarily feel the Eucharist. That said, it is blindingly obvious from scripture. I just can't get my head around how so many people deny it.
I am JOINING the Church, not leaving!😃📿✝️❤️
I love your politics regarding society and the church. Counting the numbers of those who are committed rather then “those who are born to” is so central to who is really committed to live for the Kingdom of God rather than here and now.
You’re right that much of the youth is growing up without knowing anything about Christianity. And this might baffle some people because for us we realize that it’s all around us, but for them, their eyes are blind, and their minds are completely uneducated in all things Catholicism. So many are just drowning and pop culture and secular ideology.
I'm certainly a Christian, and one who came from a non-religious family. I was baptized Lutheran and my conscience may still take me in that direction, but I've been attending Catholic RCIA/OCIA with my mother to support her up until her baptism. I've been praying on my personal denominational choice. One thing I've noticed: Christianity seems to spiritually flourish when it is the underdog, and is at least socially oppressed. It feels like it turns sour quickly when it has hegemony or gets "too big to fail". When Christians must profess the truth of Christ in the face of ridicule, exclusion, even death...that is the Christianity I believe in.
I agree with you on this. It's similar to the history of my religion.
When the Religion offered respectability and political power it attracted those interested in respectability and political power. The Roman Catholic Churches in Germany during the 1930s and 1940s were packed with people who were devoted to respectability. This was not a time and place to be respectable.
A Church without money, power, or social capital but with God is healthier.
Just because the intro reminded me of it, every time someone asks what time period you would want to travel to i always say some time in the future because why would I want to run away to some else's memory when i could look forward to see solutions to the problems that are mine.
I'm glad you've found a way to be optimistic.
The power of positive thinking. Look at the Jewish people 6 million of them died in world war II. But now the Jews have come back stronger than ever. And they have their own Homeland. There are more Jews on Earth today than there ever have been in all of history. So take heart. 2:21
Hi, I'm sorry ,I've been in a deep, black depression for over 4 years over the covid years and I have amongst other things struggled with my faith in that time. I hate the fact that I am like this as I was a committed disciple of Christ for years before this. Does anyone have any advice? I would be most grateful for any help. God bless.
Pray to God for deliverance from your depression. In the meantime, look on it as a cross that you have to carry. If you struggle with it until the end, you’ll surely receive a great reward.
Similar situation. One thing that helps me is to get closer to my church community and brothers and sisters
To: @Alan7997,
I think it’s important for you to understand the source of any and all depression, hopelessness and despair is satan. Satan has no hope but can only deny his own despair by afflicting humans with depression. God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all. Submit yourself to God, resist the devil (the source of despair) and the devil will FLEE FROM YOU. Greater is HE (Christ) who is in you, then he (Satan) who is in the world. God is trustworthy dear friend. He can heal your condition but you must persevere in your faith. God be with you,
Sincerely,
Frank (aka Fraevo)
Why have I not seen Father Casey debate anyone? I bet he would absolutely own the discourse. Just saying I want to see that happen. Casey speaks such beauty that I want to see him do it in discussion.
You are loved, father Casey. Please say more and don’t stop
And everyone,
Stay Frosty ❄️💙❄️
Amen! This is what I have been seeing as well. For all the negativity I hear on social media about people not being reverent enough, I invite them to my church with 13 masses every weekend full of very devout folks, plus an adoration chapel where you don't have to schedule someone there, there just always is. And to top this off, I was blessed to be at the National Eucharistic Congress. I defy anyone to witness what I witnessed there and complain of lack of faith or reverence among any of our people, of any age, any political persuasian, any part of the country, for we came from all over. As Bishop Barron remarked, looking around "the energy in this room can change the country". And I would add, the world. People get angry at church politics. People get real angry when the pastor overlooks some in deference to others. But called to prayer, we are on the same side. One thing that came to me this morning in prayer. And maybe just me. I hear a lot of evangelization type homilies, and a lot of assuming people are comfortable, asking for greater generousity (Time, Talent, Treasure) What I feel we are lacking is more homilies recognizing the folks with life long devotion to and dependence on God, with little earthly blessings to go with that, already giving and doing all they can, reminding them that God is with them still. God is not necessarily causing their hardship. Humans have a lot to answer for. But God will walk them through. And offering all of our sufferings With love for humanity as a sacrifice, for the sake of humanity, does help. It may take a lifetime to see it. Free yourself of unneccessary hardship if you can, of course. To not do so would so would be unhealthy. But, being respectful to the client who is a jerk out of love for Christ, that is good for us and pleasing to God. Bearing with physical illness that doctors cannot help and still praising God, good for you and for others. I've talked too long, I know. I'll blame old age and pain pills😁 God bless you all, and keep the faith. God already won the war. We just have to walk through this life without losing our souls.
As my extremely logicl son said to me yesterday, it's not how many are in the pews mom, it's the priests. You have full pews partly because they closed some churches, that's fine, but without priests, the church will suffer. He feels a few are called but it's not a "normal" thing to want to be alone and although some people don't like marriage or feel called to it, many are "players" or gay and not as welcome to the church. We had a debate but he had points. I have 3 young priests at my consortium of 6 churches in our city and 2 old. One young priest has been moved to do vocations but they are busy, tired and doing work that isn't what they thought of in the seminary. I pray for them daily
Bless you, father. As I listened to this, I felt the urge to hug you and I was sure that if I could I would be hugging Jesus. Clearly He speaks to me through you. I am nearly 80 years old, but for the last 12 years my faith has been getting younger. I think this is a teaser for the full joy that Jesus offers us. May he peace of Christ be with you.
I'm 33 and have really dived into the faith in the past few years. I've noticed that my parent's generation, who were educated by Urseline nuns, know very little about the faith. I often wonder what went wrong
That’s a great take, Fr.
I recently volunteered not only because I wanted to but also because I understood it was needed.
I look forward to what ever is to come and trust in God and whatever it is He has in store for me.
Interesting video. Good points. I worry about my daughter though growing up in a post Christian era. Her turning from and rejecting the faith. Children growing up in this time seem to ready to be picked off by Satan who is roaming around like a wild lion waiting to devour us.
You are largely correct in your analysis. The question is “how do we save souls?” Billions will lost. Let’s roll.
Father Casey I hope you read this. Would you please make a video about testing the spirits? Unless you've made one and I missed it but if not, please make one. Your videos are very valuable to me and I would love to understand the concept more. Thank you!
I spoke very recently about my worries with a trusted, young priest whose family is from the largely nonreligious Czechia. He said that while upsetting, he pointed out that we Christians and Westerners are spoiled by Christendom, and that as believers, we have a new chance to edify, to help, and to revitalize the fire and love of faith.
It was a necessary talk he gave me. I will resolve to pray for Christendom, to give, and to learn theology. I will support my local YA group. I will volunteer.
God will be with us. Thank you Father. I needed a reminder. I struggle with depression, but these hopeful messages really help me.
Wow! What a paradigm shift! I SO needed to hear this! I accept your correction. THANK YOU! 😃
Perfect. May the Lord maintain us in faith and fill us and lead us to greater love and understanding of the Gospel and help us be better missionaries.
I’m 22, and I’m interested in becoming catholic!
Praise the Lord, you are so blessed to be the chosen one.
We live in times when we can truly practice our faith. Religion? That may be more difficult, but faith is deeper. Real. Holy.
What a beautiful take! Thank you for the optimism, Father! Bless you and your congregation :)
Thank you. I sometimes disparage at the shrinking size of my parish but this has put the things in perspective for me. Thank Fr. Casey and I thank God he has chosen people like you for the priesthood. Bless you. ❤
Personally, having lived in both periods, I think such a contrast is idealistically misconstrued. For while more people were simply cultural Christians in the past there were also more genuine people of faith and greater piety overall. Plus, the culture was healthier as a whole.
Sometimes the same argument has been made within the US itself, region vs region. And while living on the West Coast vs the Midwest initially impressed me all such affirmation has completely faded.
In the end, the only thing a weakened Church reveals is spiritual lethargy and death.
I never would thought of it that way, interesting.
What a wonderful analysis of the current situation...thank you - you're a true blessing to Christians ✝️
Father Casey, thank you for the pep talk this morning. It is happening the same way in many Protestant Churches.
Just to point out, I was born in SF CA, raised in the SJ CA area, moved to LA, CA in 1989, and retired and moved to GA in 12/2023. The difference between California and Georgia is like the difference between Communism and the Gospel being proclaimed. I go to Dollywood and hear people talking about their relationship, and their friends working with them relationship with the LORD Jesus Christ. They openly sing He's Alive, by Don Francisco. I go to a McDonalds near Nashville and hear the McDonalds playing Contemporary Christian Music. There are Catholic musician people I like, such as, John Michael Talbot and another older person James O'Connell/Power to Love.
This thought occurred to me also Father. Loved this video and I agree 💯. Like Christ died and was reborn so His Church wanes and waxes. I feel the Church is back in the ascent. Glory to Jesus Christ!
A lot of excellent points! May I add: in the 50s and 60s - yes, maybe some of the people showed up out of obligation, but let me tell you, it was either faith, love, or gumption that made many of them do it every week. There is no way that the average American today would put up with what we did! Every week you are told to repent - get rid of your sinful nature. This was the age of hell fire and brimstone. Kids were quiet and obedient. You don't stay with something like that unless you were truly committed to our faith and have a love of God. Maybe in the 60s and 70s their were some that went out of obligation - or more likely: it was a lot of fun! They encouraged the youth to play music, go on outings and other social gatherings. By the 80s, I think that's when most went out of obligation - which is when I left the church because the allure of the world was too strong. I am happy He was waiting for me 20 years later.
Profound that you distinguished between culture and tradition without even meaning to. And I love that
"We'll just have to rely on God for once" But funny and very true. Worth pointing out that the Holy Spirit seems to be drawing in new people to The Church.
God gifted us free will. Even though the best case scenario would be everyone being genuinely dedicated to Him, I would rather have fewer Christians who _choose_ this life than a whole culture of people pressured into a lukewarm faith.
Obscure anecdote: the image of the church being demolished in the thumbnail is St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in the Fairhill neighborhood of North Philadelphia. The German-Catholic population left the neighborhood, which became one of the poorest in the city. It had been abandoned for a little over 30 years before it was demolished. IIRC, the spire was deemed structurally unstable and was at risk of collapsing on people's houses. I remember being quite sad when it was torn down, but realistically that was inevitable.
Millions must convert
Christendom will rise again
We are saved
It only gets better!
I come from a fundamentalist background & went thru RCIA for marriage. My impressions were that despite quite a number people there, everyone came in, did church, and left. I miss the pot lucks, chit-chats, making friends - people are in such a hurry, complaining the service was "too long." Year ago, we expected to be there 9:30 - 12:00 (or so, depending on how enthused the preacher was about the topic at hand. Peep have to run the kidlets to whatever sports activities,, etc etc etc. Oh well....I'm thinking of going to one church for Bible study and friendship, then go to Mass..
Blessed Be.
This has got be one of the best videos I've seen in a while, thank you FC!
A wonderful analysis of where the church is and where it needs to go
Spot on!
Some should visualize a metaphor I'm fond of and feels me with hope. Which is the more effective army?
One which has a huge number, but is not very well-trained or committed?
Or one that's smaller in number but more highly trained and motivated?
Historically, the answer more often than not tends to be obvious.
I have to agree on this one! Its a wonderful time to be a servant of God.
I'm not religous and I can't help but feel like the world has moved on from it, but I got to respect the literal faith you guys have.
That is true! I know that people had to go to church. Hopefully people can hear the change.
Almost for sure father? I have met multiple women who go to mass regularly and live with their boyfriends and use contraception. I have heard priests in multiple dioceses complain that kids show up for baptism and disappear until first communion, then go missing again until quinceniera or confirmation.
Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to live in 40 and 50s
Some good things and a LOT of bad
Honestly, a bout of pneumonia pretty much beat any longing for the pre-antibiotic age out of me. For all the woes of today, I’m grateful to live in a time where illnesses aren’t quite so deadly.
@@Colddirector My uncle would have lived beyond 16 with penicillin. Sadly he died without it. As a woman I'm glad to be in a time where I have rights with money and not "property". I say embrace where you are and don't live in nostalgia.
I agree. This is an opportunity for us to evangelize more than ever" Have more kids, continue serving in our communities, and go out and spread the gospel everywhere. The mainline protestants probably thought the same though, and their churches have continued to empty out, so obviously we still need to be on guard against falling into liberalism, but though I'm new the faith and could be wrong, it does seem like there is a decent trend towards emphasizing the real presence, a return to tradition, and theological conservatism.