The iPadre Catholic Podcast

Today, I was looking forward to a big day, something unprecedented in the news, you know, something that reads like this: “He’s Back – Jesus Returns”.  All kidding aside, I really didn’t think anything of it.  If you do a Google for dates the world is going to end, you’ll have enough to fill a pretty large dumpster.  If they keep guessing, someone is bound to hit the jackpot eventually.

It didn’t happen, or did it?  Although the world did not end and the final judgement hit the world as that misinformed dude over at Family Radio predicted, again.  But the reality is, the world has ended for some people and for these very same people Jesus has returned.  All of us know someone, either a close relative or friend, or some very distant acquaintance that we don’t really know at all met the Lord today.  Pick up the newspaper, or do an online search over at the professional obit people, and I can guarantee a large number of people saw Jesus Christ face to face and receive an immediate and particular judgment.  Every one of those people are either in “the blessed news of heaven-through a purification or immediately, –or immediate and everlasting damnation” (CCC 1022).

The stark reality is this: if Jesus comes today or in 10,000 years doesn’t matter at all.  What matters now is, are you ready if He comes for you today.  Most likely you will not hear a major commotion and blowing of trumpets and angels flying all of the place, you will close your eyes and immediately be in the presence of God and you destiny is sealed for all eternity.

So let me be a straight shooter.  If your living in sin, go to confession and get your life right before God.  If your living a good life, live a better life and if your living a very saintly life, your probably deluded and had better not think your doing so well.  “Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand”, although we don’t know when each one of us will personally experience.  Just be ready, because Jesus Christ is coming for you and there is nothing that’s going to stop Him when your number is up!

After making a hospital last week, I drove to the booth to pay the parking fee.  They young lady at the booth saw my Roman Collar and asked “Is it true that you can’t be married?”  I said, “Yes, I may not be married, but I am married to Jesus and to the Church.”  She responded by saying, “That is beautiful!”.

According to statistics, Rhode Island, my home state is the most Catholic in the United States.  We are “53%”.  That is a bit of a drop since I remember it being about 65% in the past.  However, even with 53% Catholic, maybe 25% of the 53% probably practice the faith by attending Mass weekly.  I would dare to say that most Catholics have an elementary level of Religious Education at best.

My point is this.  Even a young immigrant woman, who came from a Catholic country & culture did not really know that a priest is celibate, she had to ask.  I think that gives more urgency to the New Evangelization, but also to the long practiced forms of evangelization.  I did not say or do anything to make this young woman think, all she had to do was look at me wearing the Roman Collar.

The collar, cassock and Religious habit are strong signs pointing to the Other, namely Christ and His Church.  In fact, the clerical dress is not only a sign telling all who see me who I am, it is a counter cultural sign.  All who see the Roman Collar, the cassock and the Religious habit know we are called to chastity/ celibacy.  They may not know why, but it all points to the kingdom.

Here are some new tricks I learned for my Mini Cooper! Don’t try this at home!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9UlaKOIdZg&feature=youtube_gdata_player