Be Not Afraid: The Darkness Shall Not Prevail

Posted on by charliej373

Sunrise in space

(This may be the longest piece I have written here. Forgive me, but it is foundational to the themes that will be predominant going forward at this site. I don’t expect you to read all the multitude of links. I make them available to expand your knowledge of a particular point and to get an idea of where I was coming from in making that point. God bless you all, thank you for your many kindnesses, and may you all share in the joy of the risen Christ. We are an Easter people.-CJ)

By Charlie Johnston

“…just as you are, so also do others appear to you.”

-St. Augustine, Expositions on the Psalms

 

After a very difficult few weeks, I have got a handle (to my satisfaction, anyway) on what has happened in this crisis, what is likely to happen in the short term, and where we are headed – along with what potential weaknesses and strengths have been revealed in who we are.

A quick synopsis of my overall conclusions are:

  • The virus was never as bad as “experts” predicted, though it is unusually virulent to people with pre-existing morbidities. It will end at the higher range of a normal flu season – which called for special precautions for those with pre-existing morbidities, but not a universal shutdown.
  • The overall economy will be unleashed again and come roaring back somewhere during the late spring or early summer, as we morph into a model similar to the one Sweden adopted. A heavy long-term price will be paid, though, both because of the interruption and because the “solutions” we adopted to ameliorate the crisis severely aggravated already over-stressed danger spots in the global economy.
  • This crisis has revealed the true fault line in society going forward. Manufactured panic made a significant problem into a devastating crisis. A consequential segment of the leadership class throughout the globe has opportunistically sought to exploit that crisis to augment its own power and influence. It is a fault line that must be confronted. A battle between materialism and faith, the Gospel and the anti-Gospel has begun.

It certainly has been difficult to get a sense of reality when there has been so much conflicting information, intentional disinformation, panicked honest confusion and deviously manufactured confusion. Some of this is understandable, as it is always like this in the early stages of every big social convulsion – what is referred to by soldiers as the “fog of war.” What has been unnerving is how many in positions of authority and influence sought to leverage the crisis for their own ends.

It is certain that the virus got its start in Wuhan, the capitol city of the Province of Hubei in China. There is a large biological laboratory there that specializes in the study of coronaviruses. Early on, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sought to investigate to see if the virus, a subject of legitimate scientific research, had escaped that laboratory. Given the constant lies China has told about this from the start, that was both a reasonable and important subject of inquiry. The media, though, seeking along with the World Health Organization (WHO), to absolve China from all responsibility – for political and propaganda reasons – accused Cotton of being a “conspiracy theorist.” Now the same outlets that made that accusation have largely conceded that the beginning of the public phase of the virus might have been caused by an accident at the major bio-lab in Wuhan that specializes in coronaviruses and is very close to the open meat market where the virus made its public debut. A tempest in a teapot, perhaps, except this foreshadowed how both the American media and the prominent United Nations’ health organization would be more interested in establishing a partisan narrative from the start than getting good data and information to combat the outbreak.

Some people on the right have expressed fear that this was all a set-up by the left to pave the way for authoritarian government. Given the way things have played out, that is not an irrational fear, but it is not quite the case. If it were, prominent Democratic leaders and the media would have been hyping up the hysteria from the beginning. Instead, they were downplaying it, encouraging people to go out and enjoy the Chinese New Year celebrations in big cities, while simultaneously accusing Donald Trump of being racist and xenophobic for restricting travel from China until the crisis is past. However, they made up for lost time by relentlessly exploiting it once they saw the potential it had for justifying authoritarian rule. Now the media falsely accuse Trump of taking on the positions that they, themselves, were taking just a few weeks ago and bitterly attack him for it. Revisionism never had such a short attention span.

Once a pandemic of fear set in, it did not take long for the media and Democrats to opportunistically work frantically to leverage that fear to enact their agenda and prop up their failed narrative. Democratic House Majority Whip James Clyburn of South Carolina told colleagues early on that, “This is a tremendous opportunity to restructure things to fit our vision.” To them, it was not so much a public health crisis as an opportunity to impose things they can’t win at the ballot box. When the $2.2 trillion emergency public relief bill was under consideration, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stalled it by almost a week, trying to load it up with a cornucopia of left-wing goodies. She even tried to make easy and massive enabling of vote fraud a national standard. It was stunning to see how, as they pumped up the volume of fear, they showed no concern about people who were losing their jobs, savings and livelihood en masse. The “people” were only a tool to be exploited and held hostage to enhance their power. I kept expecting some prominent Democrats to stand up and say to their leadership, “This is NOT who we are.” Didn’t happen. I guess it is who they are.

In every unfolding crisis, even the best, most earnest experts make frequent early errors. I don’t fault them for that. Again, it is just a manifestation of the fog of war that attends any novel crisis. Ideally, as they respond to new data and actual experience, those errors go down and a truer picture of what people face and how to approach it emerges. Contrary to the demands of alarmists, the response to a crisis is best NOT left in the hands of the “experts.” Those experts are indispensable advisors on how to address the crisis, but they cannot be effective final decision makers. Public officials have responsibility for the general welfare of their communities. Experts have deep knowledge of specific slices of data that impact that, but are narrowly focused on their own discipline, to the exclusion of all other concerns. Dr. Anthony Fauci said last week that we must not leave lockdown until there are no new cases. What an insane standard! If we used that as the standard for flu deaths, pneumonia deaths, or just about any other infectious disease, we could all just retreat to our caves and wait to die. What we have to do is to figure out how to live while prudently managing risk – risk that begins the day we are conceived and continues throughout our natural lives. It is appalling that so many seem to think risk can be eliminated. It can, I suppose – but only by death.

Complicating matters in this crisis are irresponsible fear-mongering on the part of what should be sober voices and intentional misreporting of actual data by what should be responsible authorities and experts. I am not just speaking of the massive lies and propaganda of China and the WHO. Almost two weeks ago, the chief science advisor to the Italian Ministry of Health said that a great majority of hospital deaths in his country were being wrongly attributed to coronavirus, that it had become sort of a catch-all. Upon review, he said that only 12% of the deaths attributed to the virus could actually be directly connected to it. That is not a rounding error; it is an order of magnitude. Astonishingly, Dr. Fauci said last week that reports that deaths attributed to the corona virus are being inflated are mere conspiracy theories. I call it astonishing because the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) own protocols direct doctors to automatically attribute uncertain deaths to corona virus. Right out there in the open. We have gotten to a dead parrot level of absurdity. I have often lamented that so many people consider expertise in a narrow subject the final word, completely unaware of how uncertain expertise, itself, actually is. I fear we may now adopt the equal and opposite error of complete contempt for expertise because of the very public and complete arrogant bungling by the “experts” throughout this crisis.

If you are getting the sense I have lost some confidence in Dr. Fauci, you are correct. I still largely trust his raw data, but not his prudence or judgment. He has been a naysayer on the potential benefits of hydroxychloroquine. Okay, no problem with that; different authorities can legitimately come to different judgments. But then he said that, if he were sick, he would take it, but only as part of a clinical trial. That infuriated me. It is a perfect example of bureaucratic imperialism. The average guy can’t force himself into a clinical trial. So what I gather is that Dr. Fauci means that if HE is sick, darn tootin’ he will try what a plurality of doctors say is the most effective treatment they have found – but if one of us peasants is sick, we can just pound sand and die until he says it’s okay for general use. In fairness, he said he would personally prescribe it if a patient of his was in dire straits – but is not prepared to give it general approval.

Every day, more doctors are endorsing the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine for this virus. Interestingly, they are reporting that it is most effective when combined with zinc. I have to give a shout-out to our team member, SteveBC. Well before this was publicly reported, Steve said hydroxychloroquine would need to be combined with zinc for maximum effectiveness (I’m not sure whether Steve said it on-site or in a team email, but by gum, he said it). Astonishingly, the American left (in both government and the media) has been infuriated by the effectiveness of the drug. They really seem to be rooting for the virus.

 

The Great Divide

Pikes Peak Super Moon
Supermoon over Pike’s Peak

What this crisis has revealed is that there is a substantial segment of influential people in America who so hate America, Americanism, and Americans, that they are willing, even eager, to lay waste to ordinary people – our lives, hopes, dreams and livelihoods. They would rather lay waste to our society, and then rule over the rubble that remains than live as citizens of a free, prosperous and healthy nation. This is the left, predominately calling themselves Democrats. No, I seek no partisan histrionics, but neither will I pretend the commitment to God and liberty does not now have a clear partisan divide. My team is with Christ – and I play for MY team. It all baffles and grieves me deeply. From the 70’s through most of the 90’s I worked in close collaboration with many Democrats and liberals. Whatever our policy disagreements, we largely shared a belief in God, in marriage, in family. Somehow, that has changed in a little over two decades. The left hisses, like a vampire before a crucifix, at the very idea of God and morality. I think it the devil’s greatest triumph in my lifetime – to infect and pervert an entire ideological movement. This was the horrible disorder that infected revolutionary France, revolutionary Russia…and now it is resurrected in the once firmly Christian west. We will recover just fine from the latest pandemic. We must confront and conquer the Godless ideological pretensions of those who would rather rule the rubble than live fellowship as citizens. When you deny God entirely, all that is left is a desperate scrabble for power. Conquering the left’s Godless ideological pretensions is, ultimately, their only hope as well as ours.

I have been appalled at the explosion of fearful prophetic poppycock this crisis has sparked. I have watched with bemusement as some who joined in my public pummeling after my errors a few years back now eagerly assure all that they told you all along what was coming and now know in precise detail what God is going to do from here on out.

A quick review of some of what I have emphasized from the start:

First, I always emphasized that my message was NOT that God was close to me (though I profoundly hope and pray for that to be always true), but that He is close to you, right at hand and waiting for you to call on Him with confident hope. I maintained that even if I was right on everything, it would not do you the good you think it would, for my mission is not your mission – and God will hold you to account for the fidelity you live to the mission He has set aside for you. I told you that God does not disclose the fullness of His mind to anyone (and even if He did, we are not capable of absorbing it – it would be as futile as trying to pour the ocean into a 10-oz. tumbler) – that whatever we think we know, we will err in at least some important parts of it, either substantively or by faulty interpretation. I told you, repeatedly, that I would be wrong on some things. Why speak at all if such was to be the case? Because our expectations are all wrong. We think that if we know the details, we can form a plan of our own devising to solve everything. That is not what God intends. Our salvation does NOT depend on us being so clever that we figure everything out, as if it were some sort of puzzle box. We seek to solve it, and present the work of our hands to God in proof that we don’t really need Him – we just need a little info from Him so we can kick Him to the curb and make our own plan.

My purpose in those times (and in these) was to help you to see that it is all too big for any of us – and yet assure you that our hope is sure. Quit trying restlessly to figure out the mind of God. He does not need your smarts (which are like a teaspoon of water in the ocean even if you are the smartest person in the history of the world). He wants your trust and fidelity. That starts by acknowledging not just the much that you don’t know, but your incapacity to know much at all. God calls all men to salvation – and so is accessible to both the humblest and the most brilliant. In some ways, the humblest have a leg up because they do NOT have to disabuse themselves of vain notions of their own mighty prowess. My purpose was to get you to gird the dispositions of your interior life, for that guides your exterior actions. If you cannot know what will happen precisely, a well-formed interior life will guide you on how to respond to whatever happens. Our efforts will avail little. But our efforts, offered humbly as a crust of bread to Our Lord, will be magnified by Him to feed millions. What is our calling? To steadfastly acknowledge God, take the next right step, and be a sign of hope to those around us; to defend the faith, hearten the faithful, and defend the faithful.

I have never been big on signs and wonders. It is not that I do not believe in them, but that I assume from the start that the God who created the natural order is not bound by the laws He assigned to that natural order. He created that natural order as the proving ground for our fidelity to Him and to our fellows. Don’t you know that signs and wonders are not primarily a reward for belief? They are a palliative for those whose faith is shaky and to soften the hearts of those who do not believe. So if you crave signs and wonders, it is not because of your confident faith, but because of the lurking fear of your disbelief. If your faith was solid, supernatural signs of God’s presence would be no more startling to you than a beautiful sunrise. I am grateful – but not surprised – at both. I don’t care if the three days of darkness happens in the way most expect it to or if it happens in some different and more subtle way altogether. My way of TNRS encompasses all things and responds to whatever happens with serene faith. If you think you know exactly how something is going to happen, there is grave danger that when it does happen in a different way than what you expected, you will miss it altogether. Whether there is sudden war, sudden plague, fire in the sky or three days of darkness, my plan is exactly the same: acknowledge God, take the next right step and be a sign of hope; defend the faith, hearten the faithful, defend the faithful. That is enough.

God seeks to have us participate with Him in bringing in a bountiful harvest of souls to glory. He focuses on addition and multiplication, while knowing that some irredeemable impediments must occasionally be removed. So why, when He is so focused on addition and multiplication, do so many of us who call ourselves Christians dedicate ourselves to division and subtraction? Be rigorous with yourself and charitable with others. Know that prudence without action is cowardice, but action without prudence is recklessness. Seek the straight path, giving counsel to neither error.

I suspect that many who have given themselves over to fearful prophetic poppycock are just agitated by the strange events that are overtaking the world and will, with a little time, regain their balance. I well understand that. I have been agitated these last few weeks, not wondering what was happening so much as wondering how to exhort and encourage people in these striking circumstances. Even Moses, when the battle was on, did not engage in prophetic pronouncements, but focused on how to endure and win the battle. For a decade before he became prime minister, Winston Churchill warned the people of the terrible danger ahead – and was roundly mocked for it. When his time came, he changed his focus entirely to how to win the war, the great battle, that he had warned the people of for so long to so little avail. He did not indulge himself in “I told you so” moments – because he was too busy giving practical leadership that would inspire his fellows rather than shame them.

God created the natural order and established its laws, setting it as our proving ground in our audition for heaven. The series of crises that have just begun will play out in that sphere. We will find, soon enough, that it is all too big for us – and will have to rely on God to intervene on our behalf. Yet we have no control over that. All we control is the little we can do that is right in front of us – and the extent of God’s intervention is dependent, I am convinced, on how well we do that little. Thus, while it may be a pleasant distraction to contemplate signs and wonders, devote yourself to the little that is right in front of you as your serious (though unglamorous) work, for that is how we will participate with God in renewing the faith and the face of the earth. Here, then, are some of the challenges we will likely face, purely from sound temporal analysis.

Both the U.S. and world economy are deeply over-stressed – and were before the shutdown began. I am appalled at the utter economic illiteracy at the highest levels. Currency has no intrinsic value. Only goods and services – production – has real value. Currency is just a sort of encryption key to make the value of that production liquid, that is, easily and instantly usable. When there is nothing to encrypt, the encryption key has no value – as countless economically illiterate leaders throughout history discovered when they tried to print money to solve their economic problems. The bailouts we enacted, while perhaps numbing some current pain, will only make the fundamental problems worse. Typically, you do cash infusions when there is a liquidity crisis, That was not the problem here. We shut down a huge portion of the productive sector. The only thing that will help, long-term, is booming new production. In the meantime, we have not just mortgaged our children’s future with our profligate public spending; we have mortgaged the future of our descendants down to the tenth generation. Even in the best scenario, at some point – surely by the third generation – our posterity is going to decide they will NOT live in unending austerity and poverty to cover the debt of our generation’s promiscuous self-indulgence. The crash will come.

Part of the problem now is that most of the “experts” who lecture us are part of the parasite class. They don’t produce anything, just comment on it all. Oh, don’t get me wrong, many parasites are useful. Parasites help in digestion, can bolster the immune system and, within limits, provide many other useful functions for their host system. Shoot, I am a parasite – I don’t build or produce anything – and I pray that I am a useful one. But when the parasites decide that the fundamental task of the host is to provide for their well-being, the host begins to die and, ultimately, the parasites with it. Let me ask you this: if the people losing their jobs and life savings in this crisis were media personalities, government bureaucrats, and Silicon Valley honchos, do you think they would be lecturing us on keeping the economy shut down for a year or better, no matter what the cost? There is a lot of sacrifice going on here, but it is not being shared by the parasites who constitute the elite. They would make this a feudal society of lords who rule and peasants who serve them. News flash: We are not the lords in this kingdom.

A whole host of petty officials have gotten a taste of dictatorial power and – surprise! – they like it. Contrary to what even some conservative purists are saying, an emergency does NOT give public officials the right to suspend civil liberties.The powers they are granted to carry out their normal duties are sufficient for them to violate those liberties in an emergency, but it is still a violation. Afterwards, the public has the duty to determine whether the crisis was great enough to justify the violations and whether they were prudently exercised. If so, the sovereign people forgive the violations. If not, the public must punish and remove those officials. Otherwise, the abuses will grow until there is little sphere left for liberty and, once again, the parasites are running the show for their benefit rather than for the host that supports them. We are going to have some heavy decisions to make after this passes – and failure to make those decisions will guarantee growing instability and later crisis. Will we consent to be the ruled or will we exercise our sovereignty under God?

The balance of power in the world has been shuffled. For nearly 30 years, China has carefully and slowly worked to lay the groundwork for global hegemony. For all their efforts at propaganda and strong-arming, for all the elite parasites in the west they have made into their toadies, China’s dream of global hegemony is over. What a tragedy that land has suffered in the last century and a half! For fully a century before the Communists took over in 1949, the great Chinese civilization had been in steep decline. Since then, it has been held hostage by the barbarous thugs who constitute its modern ruling class. But do not think these thugs are no longer dangerous; thugs are often most dangerous when their nefarious schemes collapse. Look no further than the American election of 2016 – when the radical left thought they were sure to cement their drive to make America a socialist hellhole ruled by them. We will have many skirmishes (and probably a great battle) ahead. I pray that when we come out the other side of crisis, the once-great Chinese culture will emerge anew and free, that it, too, will be resurrected under God.

The fraud that is the European Union (EU) stands fully exposed for what it is. Even in a manufactured crisis, the nations of Europe closed back in on themselves. Turns out when serious trouble comes, both families and nations defend their own before all others. The EU – and globalism, for that matter – has just been a venue for drab, sniffling mediocrities to pretend they are living lives of high adventure and nobility by bossing around people who are too busy working and living to play at being parasites.

These are just a small sampling of how everything has been shuffled, even if we did not face other unexpected crises in the near future. The consequences of all these will play out in real time. Make no mistake, though; the world is already dramatically changed in ways that we cannot yet imagine, but that we will be called to shape in the years ahead.

The Ordinary Way

pilgrim hikers

All too many people look to “prophecy” with itching ears, secretly hoping to find in it a way to avoid the Cross. I can’t help you with that here. From the first time I spoke publicly about our times, I said the storm cannot be avoided, that it is global in scope, and will be fought on cultural lines. A serious observer could see that coming just from the collapse of honest erudition and its replacement with disordered appetites. I also have insisted that this is not the end; that, in fact, this is the beginning of God renewing the faith of the world – and that He calls each of us to participate with Him in that great endeavor…not quite the greatest story ever told, but one of the greatest in salvation history. My way has always been the ordinary way – not a way that accurately foresees every eventuality, but one that develops and exercises the habits of mind and spirit that give you the means to confront whatever happens, when it happens.

Read the Lord of the Rings series. Everyone in that series had to go into the storm that beset it when institutional evil raised its head. There were shires and villages where people gathered to support each other, but there was no place of safety where the storm passed some by. Everyone had to take up their cross, as it were – and no person was left untouched by the great trial they confronted and passed through together. That is what we, too, must do. There is no place of refuge where God is going to protect you while everyone else gets smited. We don’t get heaven until we actually get…heaven. And a big part of whether we will get it or not is whether we truly act as God’s hands and feet with fidelity. We spend way too much time telling God what we want and not nearly enough seeking to learn what God wants – and then seeking to want the same things. People worry themselves sick about how to get enough. There are two ways to have enough: get more or want less. Nothing wrong with the former, but we would do well to concentrate a bit more on the latter.

Among the faithful, there is a great frustration at Churches being shut down across the world, particularly during Holy Week. It is unprecedented for such a step to be taken in free countries – and was completely unexpected by Church authorities until just days before it happened. It is particularly galling (and indicative of who we have become as a people) that shutting down abortion clinics during the pandemic is so controversial that only a handful of states have attempted it, but it is assumed by almost all that religious worship is so unessential and people of faith so timid that, of course, they will shut down without serious protest. I have never wavered in my conviction that the presence of the sacrifice to Pachamama on the altar at the Amazon synod was a despicable abomination. And now, altars throughout the world are made desolate. Yet the frustration and anger has led to accusations in some quarters that our Bishops are all cowards and knaves. That simply is not true. Oh, corruption and knavery has certainly infected a big chunk of the hierarchy, but I have spoken at length with many Priests and religious authorities from around the country these last few weeks who are struggling manfully with how to act so as not to endanger the Church now, how to provide emergency sustenance to the people of God now, and how to prepare, going forward, for directly confronting and challenging secular efforts to shut us down. When confronted with an entirely unexpected attack, it is prudent to retreat for a time, regroup, and prepare to meet similar challenges head on when you are well prepared for it (Luke 14:31). Our Bishops acted with prudence in this unforeseen crisis.

When any group decides to reject the authority of the Church altogether, I wonder to myself how they can call themselves Christian while rejecting the means that Christ, Himself, set up for our governance. This is why it is so important to understand what is lawful authority and what is not. A cleric has legitimate authority on matters of faith and morals, but none stemming from his office on political and secular matters. For his authority to be legitimate, it must not be contrary to the Gospels or the Magisterium. When I obey my Bishop’s legitimate authority, even if I don’t agree with it, I am obeying Christ – who told me to hear His Apostles. I am profoundly grateful to have a Bishop whose courage and orthodoxy I admire, but I could manage without sinning (at least not frequently) even if I were in a Diocese where the Bishop was an enemy of the Magisterium and utterly unworthy of his office. Fact is, in such a case, I would be a much bigger burr under his saddle than he would be under mine. Over the course of my life, there are several occasions where I have dealt with a Priest who was obstinate in proclaiming error that was contrary to the Gospel. When they were not moved by private and intense prayer, I would write a private letter of firm, clearly stated, rebuke. Within a week of any such episode (which, thankfully, have been very rare) I would go to Confession with that Priest. It was important to me to emphasize that I fully submitted to their legitimate authority over me – for this is how Christ set it up. A woman in St. Louis once sought my counsel on how to deal with a particularly arrogant Priest who thought he knew better than Christ how things should be. When I suggested this method, she recoiled and said she would NEVER go to Confession with him. “If you won’t acknowledge him in his legitimate authority, how can you demand that he acknowledge the legitimate authority of Scripture and the Magisterium over him?” She went away unsatisfied and angry with me. One of my favorite episodes involved a Priest who regularly, bitterly and publicly denounced Marian devotees as superstitious ninnies. I had lit candles for him, had said many prayers for him, and started offering constant prayers for him whenever he gave one of his ugly homilies. I was just warming up my pen and pad of yellow paper when, out of nowhere, he gave a homily extolling the virtues of Our Lady and what an eager and effective advocate she is for us. It was so startling I was not sure I heard him right. But he went further than this. Almost overnight he went from being the persecutor of the blue hat ladies in the Parish, often leaving them in tears, to being their tender advocate and enthusiastic help. (The blue hat ladies in this Parish were a society of Marian devotees). He eventually became an affectionate friend of mine. I never asked him about what precipitated the change. Do not succumb to the devil’s temptation to defy God by refusing the legitimate authority of the clerics over you, even as you honorably reject any illegitimate efforts. Always remember that your goal is not to prevail, but to more firmly knit together the people of God.

I am convinced that God has begun His plan to renew the faith and the face of the Earth. He has chosen you to live in these times. Now He offers you an invitation to participate with Him in that great renewal. The devil will seek to use your doubts, your anger, your fears, your vanity, even your natural affections to help pull you away from the work of renewal. I often said in politics that public glory and public shame were the same impostor wearing different clothes – that it is always the work that counts. If you focus on the work and treat glory and shame as merely different types of weather you must work in, you will always stay near the path God calls you to, even when you lose the way for a bit.

When power and malice fail, those who oppose God are miserable. Shoot, even when it works for a time, they are still miserable. We have the secret of the universe right at hand to us – the power of the risen Christ. It never fails. It brings joy and peace. It transforms even failure, in some hidden way, into ultimate triumph. When we work with Him, by simply doing the little we can that is right in front of us, we participate in the renewing of the world – and offer the promise of joy even to all but His most intractable enemies.

I say to you rise, take up your cross, and go forth to proclaim the Kingdom with power, conviction and clarity that sparks new hope and new resolve in all you encounter. Be prudent and cautious, but do not treat your life and health here as your only or main  priority. That is just a subtle form of materialism. Do not seek suffering and do not fail to take prudent precautions against it, but when it does come, offer it up in union with the suffering Christ on behalf of those you love – and meet as many people as you can and try to love them all. I will try to help you navigate the challenges we must face from a very earthy, ordinary perspective. It is enough. When you don’t understand what is happening, when it seems the Lord is slow to respond to your prayers, I call you to contemplate Isaiah 55:10-11:

“For as the rain and snow come down from heaven,

And return not thither but water the earth,

Making it bring forth and sprout,

Giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth,

It shall not return to me empty,

But it shall accomplish that which I purpose,

And prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

 

The Lord is renewing the faith of the earth, calling us to join Him by living our ordinary way with extraordinary love.

We are an Easter people.

Be not afraid. The darkness shall not prevail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

776 thoughts on “Be Not Afraid: The Darkness Shall Not Prevail”

  1. Thank you, Charlie. It’s loaded with gems! Wonderful and critical pieces are there, reviewed in light of what is right now… as you say, foundational. I hope this piece leads to great pondering and discussion. There’s a lot to unpack.

    Liked by 9 people

  4. I read this immediately AFTER watching on TV the Easter Vigil Mass from the National Basilica in Washi, DC. Never in my life did I ever think that Mass would be cancelled, that we would be dispensed. But I read a piece a few weeks ago at the first of the outbreak that said this ‘entombment we’re undergoing ‘ is a gift from God to help us value the Mass more, to love Him better and to get out priorities in order. I accept that sentiment. I hope I am doing so.

    Having read it once I’ll go back to read it again and pick up the links. Thanks for your work!

    Liked by 10 people

  6. Charlie ~ I found this piece full of information. I don’t know if you have seen the latest news but it looks like things are not going as well in Sweden as had previously thought. The latest information is showing a spike in deaths from the Coronavirus and the thought is that their plan to continue life as normal with only the most vulnerable isolating themselves might be backfiring on them. See the link for more information.

    https://time.com/5817412/sweden-coronavirus/

    We are still treading in uncharted waters with this virus. There is not enough information to know exactly how it affects each person. So, sadly, keeping social distances and staying isolated as much as possible to help slow the spread is going to be the way of life for a while longer.

    I believe God loves us and has given us many warning to turn from our sinful ways and like a good father he allows us to get the consequences of our actions. He did not cause this virus, we did, however, he is always here for us when we’re ready to return to him and follow his will. The best thing we can do now is follow your suggestions – “Acknowledge God, take the next right step and be a sign of hope; defend the faith, hearten the faithful, defend the faithful”.

    Liked by 6 people

    1. I saw the piece. Of course Time and all the other establishment media is vested in hoping that nothing other than complete lockdown and rule by their authority is acceptable, so I take it with a grain of salt. The method Sweden has adopted envisions having a spike in the number of infections. The Time article relies heavily on anecdotal material. Knowing how the media loves to play with stats to promote its narratives, I pulled numbers from the Covid-19 global map from today. I used the following 14 countries for comparison – primarily because all but the U.S. are in Europe and are relatively free: Sweden, Spain, the United States, Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Poland, Hungary, and Austria. What jumps out is that of these countries, Sweden has the LOWEST reported infection rate as applied to its population at 0.10157 percent. I did not expect that. The highest reported infection rate is Spain with 0.354 percent. Sweden is at number 5 of 14 on the list of the mortality rate of those infected at 8.7 percent. The lowest mortality rate for those infected belongs to Norway with 1.8 percent and the highest to France at 14.7 percent. These numbers are updated as of today. Of course, we don’t know how many cases have been unidentified in each nation and how many deaths have been mis-attributed to the coronavirus. The point is that, even using the media’s preferred WHO numbers, you can’t make them out to show Sweden backfiring without some VERY heavy massaging.

      Anyone can do this themselves, simply by pulling up raw data and applying it to population bases. Then you, ahem, inoculate yourself with hard numbers from media efforts to promote a narrative by massaging the raw data with anecdotal stuff. For what it is worth, as of today the U.S ranks fifth in the infection rate of its population and 10 in the death rate of those infected. I have long worked with raw data, myself, to prevent being influenced by media narratives. It is a little time-consuming but is a useful check to see if what you are reading bears any relation to what is actually happening. Now, even that practice is not as reliable as I would like it to be because the raw numbers being reported are very unreliable.

      Liked by 14 people

      1. Interestingly, there are reports of other virus “piggy-backing” on the Covid19 virus in patients (or visas-versa) so the exact cause of illness in a person is suspect, they having multiple reasons to show similar symptoms.
        And without including the numbers of people who are asymptomatic or have low symptoms, the estimates are largely skewed in favor of a higher percentage per capita.
        Polling humanity without accurate and complete testing of everyone will always slide the numbers anyway one chooses to slide them.
        Always check the agenda and history of those professing the results. We are already seeing the numbers sliding exponentially lower from what they were just a week ago.

        Liked by 10 people

      2. Way back in the 70’s as I worked on my Master Degree, the first book I was assigned to read in the statistics course I was required to take was titled: How to Lie with Statistics.

        Liked by 9 people

      3. Happy Easter everyone! He is Risen!

        Yes, I agree with you, Charlie, that statistically the number of confirmed cases verses mortality rates are low for Sweden, however, they are not doing as much testing there compared to the U.S., which is why our number of confirmed cases are so high.

        If I understand things correctly, the concern for Sweden and other countries that are not social distancing, is that by not doing so everyone is being exposed at the same time. There will be many who get the virus and have mild or no symptoms at all, however, the issue is that MANY will become sick ALL at the same time. That’s the problem. An otherwise healthy person who gets sick from the virus and needs medication and/or a ventilator won’t survive without this help. Sweden has a very low number of ventilators available right now. If a large number of people get sick all at once the hospitals will be overwhelmed and will not be able to care for everyone which will cause a high mortality rate. This is why they want us social distancing, to slow the spread so that the hospitals have enough beds and ventilators to care for those who need them. We are all going to be exposed to it one way or another but by flattening the curve it slows down the number exposed at one time giving the healthcare workers time to treat all who need help. Raw data is fine, but even you admitted that these numbers may not be accurate. The data does not reflect the strain that will fall on the healthcare system.

        It will be interesting to see how things play out for Sweden. Unfortunately, we won’t know if it was a good or bad decision until it’s all over. While herd immunity does work in some instances, it does not work for a virus that mutates. People who have developed an immunity to the current strain are still susceptible to any new strain that mutates; take the flu for example, every year it mutates.

        I pray that Our Lord hears our prayers of repentance and help. As St. Paul said, “We walk by faith, not by sight.”

        Liked by 4 people

        1. Thanks for fleshing this out, Caring. When I saw Sweden’s unusually low infection rate, given the path they have taken which should give a high rate, I suspected that they might not be testing as vigorously as some nations. Yet if their infection rate is understated, that would mean that their death rate has to be overstated. That speaks well of their approach UP TO THIS POINT, but you are correct that we won’t know for sure until we have gotten past this first wave.

          As for the U.S., our infection rate is not particularly high, but is in the upper middle of the pack at #5 (out of the 14 countries surveyed). Our death rate is at the lower end at #10.

          Of course, all viruses mutate – which is why there is no ultimate cure. But there are two major forms of mutation; antigenic drift and antigenic shift. With antigenic drift, the virus remains fundamentally the same but the two major proteins on its surface shift enough that the body’s immune system does not immediately recognize it. You get sick, but rarely seriously because, as the virus takes hold, the body DOES recognize it and the residual herd immunity from the last version takes hold. Basically, it is like the same app with different versions – Word 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 etc. The body has to get used to the new version, but fundamentally understands the program.

          With antigenic shift, at least two different viruses in the body combine, shuffling out aspects of their genome to create a fundamentally new virus. This is what causes pandemics, because there is no residual herd immunity at all for them. It is like an entirely different program…instead of a new version of Word, for example, they mix to create the first version of Excel. Your body’s immune system is not just adapting to a new version of Word…it has to learn how to deal with a completely different program. Interestingly, that the Covid-19 virus came from Wuhan and was a combination of several different previous viruses, bolsters the idea that it was a research project that escaped (but that hypothesis, while reasonable, is not certain because viruses DO combine occasionally in the body completely naturally. That is how we usually get a pandemic).

          This virus is going to be out there regularly now that it is unleashed. Sweden’s fundamental bet is that now that it is, the best approach is to establish herd immunity to it as quick as possible. The trade-off would be that the Swedish people would be infected at an unusually high rate this season (a feature, not a flaw, of the plan), but would be dramatically lowered in the next season and those that follow, while the rest of the world by using the social distancing, is only putting off dealing with the virus and will be hit as hard in the next virus season as in this one, maybe harder depending on what form the normal antigen drift takes. What is unusual, so far, is that Sweden is in the the lower end of the normal range this season, even taking an approach that should put it at the top. If that plays out this season, our social distancing shut-downs will have been a complete failure – particularly IF we remain as vulnerable next season as we are this season because of the social-distancing shutdown.

          What is certain is that all of the models used so far have been flawed by orders of magnitude. I personally think the Swedish approach is the safest. Voluntarily isolate the most vulnerable and get the most robust exposed as soon as possible so future mutations that just involve antigenic drift are never able to get a fatal foothold in the larger population.

          Liked by 11 people

          1. I’ve actually even heard that some people who have taken flu shots in the past (neither Mike nor I have ever had one) are possibly having false positives!!! Anyone else heard this before?

            Liked by 1 person

            1. The basic idea (a bit oversimplified) of a flu shot is to give you a weakened version of the disease, so that your body will fight it off and develop an immunity to the more virulent versions. So yes, people often even get mildly sick – because being lightly infected is the way it is supposed to work.

              Liked by 4 people

              1. Globetrotting Tommy and Liz are seeing a lot of it now in Florida… they both think they’ve had it already just sore throat and tired a few days. Tommy said it’s no different than any other flu (except once in awhile it hits someone bad) and that eventually EVERYONE will get it and probably won’t even recognize it! Ha!!! If I get it I’m pretty sure I’m a dumb dead 🦆 duck since I began smoking at 12🤣🤣🤣 but I’m ok with it as I figure God knows the best time to take us all home!🤗

                Liked by 4 people

              2. One more thing! 😂 Tommy is going to go back to school in the fall to get his doctorate in nursing and go into pediatric trauma nursing!!! He said he’s tired of drug addicts and grouchy old people!!! Ha!!! Made me laugh and also. It made me think of Jesus and wanting to be with children!!!🤗🙏❤️

                Liked by 4 people

          2. California may have initially inadvertently employed the Swedish approach, because their citizens were infected much earlier than officials realized ( https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-04-11/bay-area-coronavirus-deaths-signs-of-earlier-spread-california ). California also now seems to be doing better than NY
            ( https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/03/16/816707182/map-tracking-the-spread-of-the-coronavirus-in-the-u-s ).

            Personally, I think that pharmacies ought to get stocked high with hydroxychloroquine, antibiotics, and supplemental zinc (research I’ve read, finds that the hydroxy helps the body by lowering inflammation and by increasing cell wall permeability to zinc in the blood stream, with zinc disabling virus reproduction in cells) and then the country opened up again.

            Liked by 4 people

          3. I would be happy to see Sweden’s approach have success.

            A couple of points that are also relevant but not clearly discussed I’d like to mention.

            The first is related to this point Caring made:

            “This is why they want us social distancing, to slow the spread so that the hospitals have enough beds and ventilators to care for those who need them.”

            Once someone is sick enough to need a ventilator, their recovery rate is very low, something like under 20%, if i remember correctly. Not that we shouldn’t treat with ventilators, but it seems to me that there is a bit of intentional deception happening here. It seems that maybe, by not emphasizing this reality, the “need for ventilators” mantra could possibly be a phrase that is used to further social distancing as a political agenda.

            The next point I like to discuss is that by using social distancing one effectively ensures that herd immunity is not a given. Therefore it becomes very easy to insist on “Mandatory Vaccination” and over the top fear tactics such as “Back to Work Strategies” that include “Papers to prove immunity” This appears to me as a brilliant set up for anyone desiring an unlimited corrupt power grab.

            Liked by 1 person

            1. To answer my own thoughts: This is exactly why you wrote this piece. The Darkness, in any form it chooses to undertake, will not prevail.

              .

              Liked by 1 person

          4. I spoke with Globetrotting Tommy today…all is STILL slow in Fort Myers Florida!!! Word on the nursing er street is that a few weeks back New York was trying to get xtra nurses there for 5k per week!!! Guess what?!?!? Thanks be to God they are canceling all those nurses that were going to go to New York as they don’t need them now!! It’s not as bad as they thought it would be!!!🤗🙏🙏🌹📿😇

            Liked by 2 people

      4. My PhD concentration was on research design and applied statistics, with a full time supporting US pre-doctoral fellowship. My career capitalized on this skill set with one highlight being the empirical demonstration for DoD that money invested in unit training actually led to objectively measurable superior performance (Simulated mechanized infantry battalion fighting at the National Training Center scored by using lasers to simulate munitions for hits and kills) with my statistical analysis briefed by then Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney to the Congress to support the field training budgets of the Armed Forces. Now, with that rich background in the use of statistics, I can find no better summary about statistics than this one, even with the true author lost in time, ” “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.” “

        Liked by 7 people

        1. Ha, Jack! Just yesterday I was talking with my older brother, an engineer and “Math guy.” He said to me the very quote from the last line of your comment. 🙂

          Liked by 2 people

  7. Charlie, thank you thank you thank you! This is brilliant and is cloaked/enveloped with the essence of God! You surely must have had some sort of Divine help to write this for the time we are in now! Not to say that your other posts were not Divinely inspired, but this one, whoa, it blew me away in a very good way! It talks so into my heart and thoughts that it tells me that you were really really helped by the whisper of God. Love it and will read it many more times. I pray for you and thank God for you. Surely now you must get some good rest Charlie. This one post of yours had to take a lot out of you. Happy Blessed Easter to you!! God is Blessing you!!

    Liked by 9 people

    1. I always feel that way about every piece Charlie puts out too so actually the last one I finalIy figured out that each piece is divinely inspired “for that particular time.” Lol 😂

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Amazing piece!!! I need to re-read!! A lot to digest here and yet there is only this to digest which we all know : Acknowledge God, take the next right step, and be a sign of hope for those whom God puts in our path!!!

    Liked by 5 people

  9. Pretty simple stuff!!! Thanks Charlie!!! Btw… from the trenches: it is working!!! Thank you Father, Son , Holy Spirit , Mary and All the heavenly court!!!🤗😘❤️🌹🙏🇺🇸👏🥾😇👌📿😋🥰📿🇺🇸🙏🙏

    Liked by 6 people

  11. This is a piece that I will go back and reread numerous times to let it all sink in.

    For any who are disheartened by not being able to attend Mass for Easter, a friend of mine sent me a short piece that said the first Easter wasn’t held in a Church with songs and praise. The disciples were in their homes in fear and despair. The post pointed out that we may be getting the closest taste we’ve ever had to that first Easter. What a wonderful thing to ponder this Easter.

    Easter blessings to all!

    Liked by 11 people

  12. Charlie, What a glorious piece of work for our Easter gift! You give us much to ponder but this phrase stands out as some of your best advice:
    “… devote yourself to the little that is right in front of you as your serious (though unglamorous) work, for that is how we will participate with God in renewing the faith and the face of the earth.”

    Fear enters into my thoughts from time to time and I stop to remind myself there is no need to fear for my God is always with me. I have been reading much about the three days of darkness and pretending that I’m not afraid.

    Your wisdom to devote myself to the little right in front of me (reminiscent of St. Therese of Lesieux) is a great remedy to dispel my fear.

    God bless.

    Liked by 10 people

  13. Thanks, Charlie! Happy Easter!
    Because of you, I haven’t lost my mind in the virus fear. My husband has been an amazing rock. I simply can’t believe we often agree.
    What is Interesting to me was how daily Mass friends suddenly put up a fight, but I saw beauty! The Mass isn’t gone, but still celebrated. Communion isn’t taken away. Spiritual Communion CAN NEVER BE TAKEN FROM A CATHOLIC IN THE STATE OF GRACE. See how beautiful?!?
    I describe it like this. God has taken our training wheels off. You have the visible and invisible. Same God. Same Mass. Same Holy Communion. We’re just left with the invisible right now. We can’t touch or receive Him. But what an act of faith!

    Liked by 12 people

    1. Such an important disctinction which many forget, Friend: “The Mass isn’t gone but still celebrated.” I love your beautiful reflection on the power of spiritual communion.

      And as we consider where we are, a certain care must be taken as we consider the current challneges, for when public Masses were an option, too many had a careless attitude about attending. The Father has called us, from the beginning of making His gift of the Covenant with us, to gather in community and worship Him. So many have skipped out on Sunday worship for convenience, out of laziness, etc. Many have shown up on Sundays seemingly more attuned to the socail gathering than the mystery into which we’re called to enter.

      From another dimension of looking at this current state of inability to access the sacraments, I’m impressed with the priests and dioceses which have sought creative ways to shepherd their flocks. It’s amazing how the Archdiocese of Chicago has been setting up protocols which honor prudence for the health of all while training and comissioning their priests to care for the sick and dying with the sacraments. Praying for more openings like this, particularly since people have been dying alone. Where Mass is concerned, I see how simply being able to park your car facing the altar and engaging in participation in the Mass while receiving spiritual communion has been a mighty blessing for both priests and laity. God bless us all.

      Liked by 9 people

      1. Beckita I wonder if we be able to receive on the tongue when church resumes? I wonder if they will be done with peace sign? I wouldn’t mind the peace thing being done with though…never liked it actually at that time of the Mass

        Liked by 2 people

        1. Linda, I hope that the US bishops dispense with the sign of peace. Even if they don’t, my family is done with it permanently, as far as I’m concerned.

          Liked by 3 people

            1. The vast majority of Western Catholics today think the Sign of Peace coming right after the Lord’s Prayer is a 20th century . I once did also – till I came across St.Augustine’s reference to it in their Eucharistic Liturgy in exactly the same position – immediately after the Lord’s Prayer. It struck me because my previous idea was that it was originally UNIVERSALLY said right after Gospel.

              Liked by 3 people

                1. It is, isn’t it, Linda? I was amazed to learn this history today. Perhaps the real issue is not the place of the Sign of Peace, but the need to be reverent and actually wish each other “Peace of Christ be with you” rather than “Oh! It’s so good to see you.” or “How *have* you been?” or the mini discussions I’ve sometimes heard.

                  Liked by 3 people

          4. Oh Mick and Jen, right on!!! I’m with you! Where did that ridiculous “introduce yourself” **** come from? Oh I know, some “liturgical workshop”. I abhor the disruption of the sign of peace almost right after the Consecration. How sad all this is. These “liturgists” need to read what St. John Paul II said about silence, and Cardinal Sarah also.

            Liked by 3 people

            1. I am sooo late to the party on this, but I thought that I’d add that I don’t like the sign of peace right before Communion. It becomes a sign of disruption. However, I do like the before-mass “howyadooin?”. I get to make eye contact with fellow worshippers before I focus on Our Lord at the altar. Anyway, a short story:

              Many years ago, I noticed a very, very pretty Filipina at Saturday evening mass. I also noticed that she wore a ring on her wedding ring finger. Oh, well. One Saturday, the priest told us to introduce ourselves to those around us before mass. She turned to me, smiled, and mass began. At the end of mass, Father invited everyone to the social center for coffee and cookies. I left quickly because I was in charge of coffee. The young woman was leaving after mass, when Father redirected her to the social center. Not knowing anyone, she stood by the entrance to the center. Someone asked her if she could help and she said ‘yes’, ‘Please go help that guy with the coffee’, she was told. She came over and, in the course of pouring coffee, I found out that the ring on her finger had only sentimental attachment — a gift from home — and that she herself was “unattached”. Needless to say, I asked her out. Our first date was after mass on the feast of the Assumption. We were married one year later, on the feast of the Assumption. That was just short of 38 wonderful and blessed years ago. I guess God can use our most innocuous ideas for good. He is wonderful.

              Thank you to all here. God bless everyone and may He crush this pandemic, as well as put an end to the horrible locust swarms that are destroying crops in large swaths of Africa.

              Liked by 2 people

              3. Hi, Dan; so great to “see” you again! I smiled at the “Howyadooin'”; that is kinda how we talk in the Midwest, isn’t it? Or maybe Americans talk like that all over the country.

                I really, really loved your story about how you met your wife. Thanks for sharing it. 🙂

                Liked by 1 person

    2. Just beautiful friendofangels I’m going to send that to my neighbor Dave if you don’t mind…he was lamenting the mass on tv

      Like

      1. You may share. I’ve had a lot of reflection on spiritual communion. Past conversations flooded my mind when my parish priest read the archbishop’s letter to the small congregation gathered for a Friday Mass. I can’t receive on the tongue?! OK, time for a spiritual communion… Oh, you cannot deny me? OK, I’ll support a priest who stands with the church. It may be my last for awhile. (And it was.)
        1. The Sacrifice of the Mass is completed with the priest’s consumption. He does not have to offer communion to anyone. Pray for priests.
        2. Pope Benedict spoke about spiritual communion on Good Friday in the early church in his book Behold The Piersed One.
        3. A priest cannot participate in spiritual communion, he must consume for the Sacrifice to be complete. But wait! What is the one day he does not consecrate? Good Friday!
        4. It is not “pretend” or imagined. When the priest consumes the Eucharist and Presious Blood join your prayer with his. Like a true Father, he’s got your back!
        5. People don’t know this, but just like an exorcism, you must be Catholic AND be in a state of grace for a spiritual communion.
        (Like I said, all my past conversations came flooding back as the priest announced the path forward with this COVID19. After Mass that day, he simply could not understand my excitement. I simply saw the beauty as Beauty and said, “You have a teaching moment!”

        Liked by 3 people

  14. The Chaplet of The Divine Mercy Novena
    Third Day: Sunday

    Today bring to Me ALL DEVOUT AND FAITHFUL SOULS, and immerse then in the ocean of My mercy. The souls brought Me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were that drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness.

    Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this grace of You by that most wonderous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely.

    Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen.

    Liked by 7 people

  18. Amen Charlie.

    I pray that we and the majority of society do not succumb to the Communist brainwashing to break our wills & spirits during this crisis.

    It’s like we’re in prison in our own homes up here, not allowed to enjoy the fresh air, have camp fire, no home renovations, no gardening, etc… Just be brainwashed by the television & social media…

    Liked by 8 people

    1. I feel your pain, Al: it’s the same here in Michigan. Not sure what people are supposed to do during lockdown if they can’t garden or work on home-improvement projects.

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Mick, Michigan’s Governor and her goofy out-of-control with her unconstitutional freakish control over freedoms was highlighted by Tucker Carlson this evening. She’s not alone in such behavior but good grief! Get a grip, Lady.

        Liked by 4 people

        2. Tucker and I think Sean as well??? (Nights are starting to blur together) spoke about her again last night and the people of Lansing were protesting!!! Excuse me, she seems a little drunk with power??!? Forgive me Lord if that is a rash judgment???

          Liked by 1 person

      2. Michigan must get pretty close to the weather in Ontario. With cold & snow lasting 3-6 months depending on where you live & that year’s variantion of climate, it’s like living in a minor natural disaster stretched over a period of those months. It’s no wonder why people are going crazy at the thought of being confined go their homes, for many even their backyards (if they have one) are not enough.

        Liked by 4 people

        1. You’re right, Al. I live a couple of hours from Windsor, so that’s the climate that we have in our part of the state. People have been itching to finally get outside in the gardens or out to the parks or whatever, and then our illustrious governor just shuts it all down. The hardest part, though, is that my family can’t go to my dad’s on Sundays. Going to his house, or having him come to ours, would be a misdemeanor punishable by either a fine or jail time.

          Liked by 2 people

          2. Petty authoritarians need to be reeled in and/or thrown out of office without delay. Hand wringing until the next elections just makes it that much more difficult. That said, I think the promise of stimulus money virtually assures that won’t happen in the short run. That decisive battle may only happen when money has lost all meaning. In my mind it already has, but not so for the average American who has abdicated nearly every responsibility a citizen should reasonably shoulder.

            Not saying that we’re mustangs on a BLM roundup yet, but even good working horses just want be left alone sometimes to hang out with other horses, graze in good pastures, and move around carefree without the whip in sight.

            I feel for you, Mick. For the time being, I’m feeling more grateful about living in Arizona though. We’ve got a decent Governor (Ducey) who eventually had to issue some lockdown ‘proclamations,’ but it really didn’t have much teeth.

            Liked by 3 people

            1. Well, MP, there was a huge protest in Lansing today; so maybe my fellow Michiganders aren’t quite ready to surrender our civil rights to our tyrannical Lady MacBeth governor just yet.

              Liked by 3 people

                2. I was in deep, dark cover, bro (like, so far deep that I wasn’t even there). Besides, the pink Hello Kitty Glock is still only a dream… I’m hoping to get it for our 25th anniversary, which isn’t until this summer.

                  It’s weird to see you mention this, MP, because just this afternoon I asked my daughter, “Do you think Daddy will get my Gen 2 dipped pink for our anniversary?” She had no answer. Hope springs eternal, though.

                  Liked by 2 people

            2. Lambzie and I went to my Mom and Dad’s house up North to celebrate Easter dinner with take out Asian food.  My Mom is vegetarian and very selective on what she eats.  My daughter and her new boyfriend came too.  The town they live in and the surrounding town has zero virus cases.  Figured pretty low risk.  Although my parents are not practicing Christian’s, we had good fun and fellowship.  Oh.  And we had a little whiskey and wine.  That helped stimulate conversation a wee bit.  I have a lot of respect for my Dad who is taking good care of my mom who is at the early stages of memory loss.  My Dad used to get very impatient with my mom, but his engineering logic kicked in.  My mom’s mind is broken.  Therefore, this is completely out of his control and not her fault.  He has adjusted and is becoming more saintly towards her.  Without knowing it.  He is taking the Next Right Step.  I give him lots of kudos.—- Sent from Doug’s Back Pack

              Liked by 3 people

              1. Does that qualify for being a authoritarian dictator? Trudeau is pushing the globalist agenda & attitude big time making it illeagal to leave the city, not for boating nor camping or hiking, but he & his family is allowed to enjoy cottage time.

                Liked by 3 people

            1. Well, given that my pushing-80-years-old dad still cuts and splits his own firewood and could legitimately pass for my age, I don’t think that the authorities would buy a story that he needs me to drop off groceries for him. 🙂 Seriously, though, Maggie, there is an exception for the elderly who need the assistance of their relatives.

              The biggest thing is that my dad misses my kids terribly, and they miss him. If I were to drop by alone to “check” on him, I could probably get by OK; but if I were to show up in the E-350 Homeschoolermobile with 5 kids in tow, that could quite possibly raise some snitchy eyebrows amongst the neighbors.

              Liked by 2 people

              1. I could see that in your dad even though I never met your dad cuz you beautiful Mick look 22!!!! If that!!!!! I wish y’all could see for yourself!!!! Truly blessed by God! 🤗

                Liked by 2 people

                1. You’re sweet, Linda! My dad really does look like he’s in his mid-50s. And even though you’ve never met him, you know what he looks like because I look exactly like him, except my hair is just a touch longer and I’m 4 inches shorter. 🙂

                  Liked by 2 people

                    1. Well, the next time you and Mike are in my neck of the woods, I’ll take you over to Dad’s house so you can meet him… he loves meeting my friends. Then we’ll all go to The Parlour for ice cream! 🙂

                      Liked by 1 person

          5. Insanity, Mick. The incredible overreach by your governor has been highlighted by Tucker Carlson numerous times this week. The New Jersey governor now being interviewed by Tucker was just asked if he considered the constitution when enforcing some of his policies concerning social distancing and he replied that the question was above his pay grade. (Face palm.)

            Liked by 4 people

            1. I just saw that, Beckita!!! How could he not be humiliated over his ignorance of the Bill of Rights? What a good illustration of the ignorance and incompetence of our elected officials!🤪

              Liked by 3 people

  20. Mrs. Christopher immigrated from a place where, during her childhood and teen years, the government was heavy-handed. Her teen years were in the era of perestroika so by that time things had loosened up a bit but not completely. Her parents though, had living memory of a much more authoritarian system. She recently commented on how quickly and easily a 22 trillion dollar economy was brought to a halt and how willing people went along with getting herded into the cattle cars. Fear does strange things to otherwise liberty loving people, doesn’t it?

    Just my 2 cents.

    HE IS TRULY RISEN!
    Happy Easter to everyone.
    I love you all.

    Liked by 12 people

        1. We love you, Christopher. You can clutter up the thread any time it needs to happen. 🙂 Blessed and Wonderful Easter to you, Mrs. Christopher and your family!

          Liked by 6 people

        1. Me too, Kim. My husband, my son, my brother, my grandfather, and my brother-in-law are all Chris-es. But only 3 are Christophers; the other two are Christians 🙂

          Liked by 2 people

  21. St. Augustine so beautifully exclaims:

    “In my deepest wound I saw your glory and it dazzled me.”

    God does not abandon His people ever, in exile, in suffering, in death and dying, we believe Our Risen Lord is always with us and promises us His glory if we persevere.  Only one other person has walked through these kinds of times without faltering, and no others have done it without her.  We ask Mary to attend us, teach us and keep us safe both in faith and from the invisible enemy looking for entry.  We pray this virus die a timely death and forge us into great saints in the meantime in the midst of our hurt, our sorrows, fears and grief.
    As Mary Madeleine did not recognise Jesus after His resurrection because she did not expect to see Him, may we too finally recognise Him through this Easter season.
    (Sr Anne Marie of Jesus)

    Liked by 9 people

  22. Although disappointed that I could not attend Mass in person and receive communion in my local church, I felt very blessed to be able to watch the EWTN broadcasts of the Pope’s Celebrations of Masses and other Holy Week ceremonies these last few days. The beauty of the surroundings inside and outside St. Peter’s added to the solemnity of what was being presented. There was a very mystical, moving feeling to watching it all. Many thanks to EWTN. I will be watching the Pope’s Easter Mass later today and will be very grateful I can.

    Liked by 6 people

  23. That was beautiful, Charlie. You addressed some of the fears I have had and alleviated them and helped to put things in better perspective.

    Liked by 7 people

  24. Wowzer, Charlie, do you have a cliff-notes version? (jk) This post is like a seven-course meal. Just wondering, as a youngster/teenager, did you amaze your parents with ideas, ruminations,theories, etc? Will be returning frequently to absorb piecemeal. Your last main paragraph with the Isaiah quote is comforting and encouraging.

    Granted this is not a traditional Easter song, (already sang those while livestreaming), but in these unusual times, I hope an exception can be made.

    Liked by 5 people

  25. I beg to differ about the beginnings of this. The left told people to ‘go out and enjoy’ initially in order to spread the virus further.

    Liked by 1 person

  26. I spent the end of Lent and Holy Week first watching “The Hobbit” then “The Lord of the Rings,” extended additions both. Seemed appropriate given the season coupled with the lockdown. Yesterday, I spent Holy Saturday reading “Confessions”, playing piano, and watching “1917” — an intense and masterful movie, quite unique, something like “Forrest Gump” meets “Platoon” but worth your time. Engaging from start to finish.

    Speaking of Our Lady (which is pretty much every day here!):

    It was a calm, quiet, somber Lent, and now a strangely quiet Easter too. Unlike the typical and somewhat exaggerated exclamation in the past: “He is risen, Alleluia!”, I feel a more calm, certain, matter-of-fact: “He is risen, indeed. Amen.” All praise and glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

    Being a squirrel now for these past 5 years, I do “acknowledge God” in most thing, but have more difficulty when it comes to “take the next right step and be a sign of hope to those around you.” But I want to say, Charlie, I’m so glad that you have included us in the three tasks that were appointed to you: “defend the faith, hearten the faithful, defend the faithful.” I’ve been defending the faith in my small circles for years, and when I know someone is a Christian I will use our common Christian language to hearten them and give them hope when I can. (Pardon me if you mentioned this addition before, but I just read it now.)

    Well, to everyone here: it heartens me to be a part of this very special Fellowship.

    Have a blessed and joyful Easter!

    Liked by 8 people

    1. Let me change that, since “Platoon” was just a very graphic, lopsided anti-war Vietnam movie by Oliver Stone.

      “1917” is like “Forrest Gump” meets “They Shall Not Grow Old” by Peter Jackson.

      Edge-of-your seat film. Nonstop, first-person. Very, very impressive. Something to watch during the lockdown. A film of courage, hope, sacrifice, and love. “No greater love than this….”

      Liked by 6 people

      1. PD & Gang,

        Firstly! I’m an Old AF Aviator and History Major.
        I saw both 1917 & They Shall not Grow Old.
        I hope that Peter Jackson produces a WWI film that covers the War at Sea & Air.
        1917 was an interesting film but …. NO aviator, German or otherwise, would attack/kill an enemy soldier that just rescued them from their burning cockpit! That part was simply not believable.
        There was in WWI, probably through most of WWII, a sense of knightly chivalry among aviators that, understandably, did not exist in The Trenches.
        My other problem was …. if the RAF was busily flying hither & yon over the battle area, why didn’t they just “Drop” a message to the Lost Regiment and warn them off …. I know!!! ….. don’t go to War Movies with Ol’ War Vets ;-(
        I trust everyone had a pleasant Easter and Prayers for Gabriel/Family and ALL enduring Tough Times this Eastertide.

        GOD SAVE ALL HERE!

        Liked by 4 people

        1. I COMPLETELY agree, Crew Dog! That was the most implausible part of the movie, the German killing the Brit like that. Those pilots had much more respect for their enemy than that. This would more believably be something a Japanese pilot *might* do in a WWII situation. Still, an interesting movie.

          Liked by 2 people

        2. CD, let me add this, however, when I was stationed in Germany in the 90’s, I heard first-hand from a German national living in Speicher, Germany, who said there was a situation where an American parachuted from a downed bomber in the mid 1940’s in that immediate area who was pitch-forked to death by farmers when he came down to the earth. It’s so hard to generalize….war can be ugly.

          Liked by 2 people

      2. Hey PD, that 1917 preview gave me goosebumps! Of course I’m a sucker for good military films. When the preview ended, there was one for the new Top Gun movie 🙂 With a family of military pilots, naturally I want to see that one too! 😎

        Liked by 3 people

        1. I very much want to see Tom Cruise’s movie, but unfortunately it is funded by China and they scrubbed Japan and Taiwan from Tom’s bomber jacket from the original movie, so I will not.

          Liked by 2 people

          1. Sorry to hear about China. I guess I’ll rethink seeing the movie; would never spend the money to go to a theater anyway. Can wait for a video maybe.

            My husband has his flight jacket with all those patches. My dad was a naval aviator for 30 yrs. and I wanted to save his jacket too. I went home to help mom with the house and was heartbroken that someone gave my dad’s jacket to the thrift store with other clothes. Oh well, it’s only a material thing.
            God bless all!

            Liked by 3 people

            1. Maybe when it comes out for rental for $4.99, I’ll find 10 friends and we’ll all chip in 50 cents and watch it together. Cheesy re-hashed story and edification of Mr. Cruise aside, it will be visually stunning. It is impressive what the film crew, pilots, and actors went through to accomplish it. It should “take your breath away.” (Little pun there if anyone caught it.)

              Liked by 2 people

      3. Patrick, my history-buff daughter and my husband loved “1917.” I barely made it through “Midway” (which was excellent, but it’s hard to watch a movie when you’re crying through much of it), so I knew that I’d better pass on “1917.”

        For my Easter/Covid-lockdown/intensifying-Storm inspiration, I watched “Rocky I” with my oldest kid late last week. He’d never seen it, much to my shock. I think that maybe this week I’ll watch “Rocky IV” (“Eye of the Tiger,” baby!) and maybe “Rocky Balboa” over the weekend. Lastly, I think I’ll watch “Live Free or Die Hard,” which, oddly, I find very inspirational.

        Liked by 3 people

        1. 1917 is a real tear-jerker, Mick.

          For mindless fun, I watched the latest Fast and Furious installment. Lost some brain cells, but got some good laughs. I like the Rock and Mr Statham, who had a hilarious scene fighting bad guys while watching a cute baby in a carrier. Funny.

          Liked by 2 people

          1. I had been tossing around the idea of watching that movie, too, Patrick. Yeah, it looks kinda silly, but some mindless fun would be good right now. I’ll add it to my watchlist.

            Liked by 2 people

  29. “Do not succumb to the devil’s temptation to defy God by refusing the legitimate authority of the clerics over you, even as you honorably reject any illegitimate efforts. Always remember that your goal is not to prevail, but to more firmly knit together the people of God.”

    Wow Charlie, this really popped out at me. My soul has been hurt over the years by a few priests. Thankfully, I just wondered away, without a harsh word, ending up now at a wonderful parish. I have had to have more than a few confessions to excise my resentment at having to leave parish families that I loved. Today, I’m just saddened by these priests and I’m able to pray for them.

    Liked by 7 people

  30. I suspect that the “blue hat ladies” after being brought to tears got busy dedicating the Rosary for Father. Combined with your prayers, CJ, Father’s conversion was written in cement!

    Liked by 9 people

  32. Charlie!!! First off…happy Easter good man!!! 🌼🌸🌺🌷📿💐💝✝️💘💖🇺🇸❤️🙏🌹🐥🌸🌺🌼💝

    Charlie I only skimmed over this last night for we were watching services and Globetrotting Tommy kept asking me about childhood recipes 😂😂😂 but this piece is UNBELIEVABLE!!! Once again…perfect for these times for there ARE voices out there that are saying exactly what will come next and I am probably guilty of this too with fellows and family!!! You’re right!!! WE DON’T KNOW SQUAT!!!

    I Personally feel I really needed this piece to work on more of my “interior” so I don’t react “exteriorly” as you say!!!

    Sort of funny…I was sweeping 🧹 my floors yesterday with a beautiful old broom (cuz sometimes it takes an old broom to sweep the corners clean! – Sam Routigliano Ex head coach Cleveland Browns) and ya know what??? I had the darndest thought that the 3 days of darkness might not be as we all have been hearing it will be??? Fr. Rodriguez is circulating videos on the 3 days as of late…??? Then later in the night Mike said out of nowhere he feels that corruption will go down one at a time real quiet like without hardly a notice… he said when he was young and got into the car business and saw corruption for the first time…he knew it wouldn’t last forever…that God would not let it go on forever!!!

    But then…what if God just starts converting us all instead of condemning us all!!! Yes!!! That is what we are called to do…pray, fast and pray fast for our own deepening conversion and the conversion of ALL our brothers and sisters in the world!!!

    This piece was truly timely and exceedingly prophetic!!!

    God bless you Charlie and all of you here at TNRS ASOH!!!

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Oh, that’s funny, Linda. When I was doing heavy politics, there was a car dealership I worked at in the off-season, as it were. I did not want to work on any gov’t. staffs, for they were just trying to buy my conservative cred and make it their own. I valued my independence. (Amusingly, one official, knowing I would not work on staff for anyone, offered me a spot as Chairman of the “Heritage Waterway Commission” – only four meetings a year and a salary of $200,000. Didn’t bite on that, either). It worked out great for me and the dealership. Though I was perfectly content to sell cars, they could have me float in different management positions without offending the ambitions of anyone else on the floor because they all knew I was always a “short-timer.” I liked car people…very earthy. They smoked, drank, cussed, and chased women (and the women on the floor chased men). They struck me as modern cowboys. One of the most touching things to me was how often someone who was normally rough and tough would privately get me aside and ask me for prayers and seek counsel. They knew I would try to help without lecturing them…and that I was their friend. Shoot, one of the coolest compliments I ever got came unexpectedly one day when a gal on the floor unleashed a profane tirade. The floor manager irritatedly asked her how she expected to get into heaven talking like that. Very cheerily, she told him that she would just let them know she was a good friend of Charlie’s and they would have to let her in. He looked at her, then said, “That would probably work.” I love car people.

      Tell Mike the best car guy movie I ever saw was Robin Williams in “Cadillac Man.”

      Liked by 9 people

      1. That is just awesome Charlie!!! I remember you telling Mike about this in Detroit😂 That is good news too about us rough necked people!!! Sort of reminds me of the gospel reading about the guy who thanked God he wasn’t like the ones who weren’t so perfect! Hmmmmm….🤔

        Like

      2. Hahaha Charlie I just told Mike about that “Cadillac Man” you liked and he laughed out loud!!! He said another good one is called “Suckers!” He hesitated to tell me to tell you about it because it’s not what you call “a good Catholic movie!” But very true to life!!! Lol. Mike was really good at selling cars but didn’t like the way they would bust ur butt if you didn’t con the buyer🤥 lol Mike told me to tell you about the new movie out now, “Ford vs Ferrari!” Really great movie and true too!

        Charlie I bet it would’ve been really fun to work with you at that car lot!!! Talk about light in the darkness!!! Thank you for being our light yet today!!! Can’t wait to hopefully see us all upstairs in our little TNRS ASOH abode !!! WOW

        Liked by 4 people

      3. “They smoked, drank, cussed, and chased women (and the women on the floor “ I just read this to Michael and he roared with laughter at the truth of that quote!!!😂😂😂

        Like

          2. 🎤 🎶 “You’ve got to know when to hold, know when to fold up, know when to walk away, know when to run! You never count your money 💰 when you’re sitting at the table, there’ll be time enough for counting…when the deal is done!!!” 🎵 🎶

            Btw…Mike and I are at the part in “The Chosen,” when Simon is at wits end about the Romans coming after him!!! He was just yelling at the heavens!!! Another rough neck!!! Hahaha. I think I’m getting the 💡 idea, Charlie!!!🤗❤️🙏🎶🎵💐😅😂🤣

            Liked by 1 person

            1. Charlie and Linda, my dad worked at a car dealership for years. An English teacher by profession, he took a number of years off of teaching while we kids were little and until we were all grown. He didn’t cuss, drink, chase women, gamble, or con buyers. Still managed to sell a lot of cars somehow. 🙂

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              1. Praise God. My dear father was an architect/salesman too. Restaurant equipment. I had the joy of working with him out of high school for a few years in bookkeeping, back when a handshake would complete an agreement. Marketing and sales are not my forte! Thank goodness for the honest and skills workers in these fields. ❤

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                1. Your dad sounds awesome, Jen! Funny… my dad also did a stint as a salesman for a restaurant equipment store. He also sold insurance and for a time was a regional sales representative for Standard Oil (remember them?). He was a fantastic teacher (still is, as he teaches my kids how to replace hinges on cabinet doors and to use a log-splitter), but sales was really his forte.

                  Liked by 3 people

              2. Hmmmmmmmm interesting … did you ask him if the others did??? Actually Mike got fired for not wanting to sell this bogus insurance!!! In that case it was the higher ups that were corrupt but mike wouldn’t do it! Lol he folded and ran 🤣🎤🎵

                Liked by 1 person

                1. I never asked him, Linda; and my dad probably wouldn’t tell me anyways (he doesn’t like to badmouth people). However, he ended up losing his job at the auto dealership because of nepotism: even though he was one of the top salesman at the dealership, they fired him so that they could hire the owner’s nephew. Or maybe, just maybe, it was because he was so honest. I don’t know. It was a rough time for our family, but it prompted my dad to go to graduate school and to get back into teaching. He ended up in grad school at the same university that I was attending at the time, so that was pretty cool. 🙂

                  Liked by 4 people

                  1. Yes michael had many of the same experiences!!! Wasn’t so much the guys he worked with but the powers that were! Shoot one time they even got him in a lawsuit over that bogus insurance they wanted him to sell that he wouldn’t so he got fired and he had to defend himself for big $ even though he wasn’t even there at the time!!! Oh well…God takes care of us all eventually…. lol. Like in the Chosen Jesus says I’ll sort it all out later! Us too😬 Good for ur dad though Mick!!! I bet he’s an 😇!!!🤗🙏❤️🌹✝️🌺🌷🌸🌻🌼📿💝💘🐣

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      5. Politics and used car salesmen… I always figured Bill Clinton was the quintessential used car salesman. Michaveous, funny, likeable until Barry Soetoro showed up… devious, despicable, desolate.

        Liked by 6 people

        1. I became good friends with a fellow named Alex Seith in the ’90s. He was president and chairman of the Illinois News Network and had been the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate running against Charles Percy in 1978. He was a genuine conservative Democrat – far more conservative than Percy, and we ended up collaborating on several big projects. One time he was reflecting wistfully to me that he had lived the three most disreputable jobs around – he was in the media, was a lawyer, and a politician. I looked at him and told him I had him beat – that I had been in the media, was a politician, and had been a car salesman. He howled with laughter and said we should get to work immediately setting up the “Dewie, Cheathem and Howe Consulting Agency.” (Apologies to the Marx Bros. for the shameless robbing of their title). Alex passed away 10 years ago, but we had some times – and he still had many high-level contacts in the state Democratic Party, so was a great conduit for back-channel communications.

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  33. It was the debateless shuttering of Churches vs. the abortion mills still churning out death with nary a whimper that really got to me. How is it possible that a sane people turn a blind eye? Yet somehow there it is, apparently the only elective procedure worthy of protecting as a “right.” It is the grossest and most demonic perversion of our time, and one can only conclude that we are no longer a sane generation, much less a faithful one. But, oh, let’s whip that wholesale theft of our country’s supposed ‘wealth’ right through both houses and get that ratified lickety split. Done… the destruction of what we have put our faith in is now assured. Giving that cycle up to 3 generations is being mighty generous I think.

    Dearly wanted to spend some time with Jesus after a most hectic Saturday, finally settling into that just after midnight. That is, until someone tried to break into my car parked out front. Some kids. Naturally the alarm went off and they peeled away having been thwarted. Had to regroup in my head pretty quick… forgive them immediately before getting back to what is truly important. They didn’t get anything, and even if they managed to, it would have been nothing of value to me. For them to have stolen that would have required my will, and they ain’t touching that. The door to my refuge.

    Good stuff, CJ. My only question mark is why you sometimes pause to mention/ponder your critics. Seems like a brief but discordant note in an otherwise brilliant orchestration. Maybe like that car alarm going off it couldn’t be helped, but I was actually quite started last night at how quickly I bounced back from that little ripple. Quite the contrast to the fella decades ago known to run out front brandishing a shotgun. Yeah, I guess were making some progress so should be content with that.

    Happy Easter All!

    Liked by 11 people

    1. Ah, who knows, MP, maybe it is a defensive reflex on my part. Mainly, I think the time for prophecy is when few want to hear – and the time when all want to hear is the time for action, not prophecy. The contrast was striking to me…and I was trying to emphasize the why of my different approaches then and now. But maybe there was a defensive reflex there, too.

      I do agree with you that I was being VERY generous by saying the economic madness could last only as far as the third generation. I have to think some of our grandchildren are going to look around at the obligations we have foisted on them at some point and say, “Nuts!”

      Liked by 7 people

      1. “Nuts!” is right, and comparing it to Bastogne is apt. Certainly a brutal defensive for our boys in the larger Battle of the Bulge of WWII. Saw an image of McAuliffe, Ike and Patton standing in the “secured” rubble of Bastogne with one white building still standing in the background.

        If I contemplate standing around waiting for an another election, I’m probably going to hurl in my helmet. To actually stage a defensive, we’re going to have to dig in at some point and stand our ground.

        Liked by 5 people

  34. Christus Surrexit! A Blessed Easter!
    You wrote: “I have never been big on signs and wonders.” I wonder if in some sense God is in the same boat. It is worth noting that there are no witnesses to the Resurrection of Our Lord – the greatest wonder in human history. The apostles and disciples experience the effects of the Resurrection but do not witness the moment.
    On Mallett’s website he compares the Church to Noah’s ark. I don’t recall if you have ever done the same. I know that the Father’s did. The whole Noah story was the second reading yesterday evening at the Easter Vigil I was blessed to be able to attend (drive-in liturgy). I wonder how many of us realize what a messy miserable place the Ark was and how awful it must have been to be in it – all the animal excrement and smells with one small window for fresh air. Except of course it is what saved you from the Storm and the Flood. It was a ‘refuge’ but not the one we may like to imagine. I don’t know how many of you have seen Darren Aronofsky’s “Noah” starring Russell Crowe which came out a few years ago. I don’t agree with all of his imaginative liberties but he does a decent job of humanizing the characters – real people trying to make real decisions – take the next right step.
    I remember reading a previous thread (maybe two articles ago) about whether certain chastisements have been or could be mitigated. I have thought about this and find it a little puzzling. For me what I really want to happen is not necessarily that chastisements be removed but rather that all would convert and chastisements become unnecessary. I certainly do not want the world to continue on as it has been. Things needs to change (starting with me of course). If this can happen without chastisements great, if not then bring them on please. I once had a friend who had two teen-aged kids. He once somberly remarked that he hoped God didn’t have to hurt his kids to get his attention. This may startle us and run contrary to how we often see God. But consider, it took a cannon ball to Ignatius of Loyola’s leg to get his attention. My father used to say that unfortunately some people only pay attention to a two-by-four. I certainly pray that I am listening attentively enough that a whisper or maybe a slightly raised voice from God would get my attention.
    All of you are in my prayers as we move into the season of abundant new life!
    PAX,
    Matthew

    Liked by 11 people

  36. Thank you for your insights. For me, my first sense is that this is truly a call to turn to God. The debris of news hype and posturing is offensive. While I respect Drs. Fauci and Brix, they gloss over some unknowns in all this. Everyone is an expert and few have knowledge. Take the question of antibodies. That is a whole scientific field in itself. When I asked a friend (M.D., PhD clinical doc), he expressed a lot of uncertainty. They speak of a new test. An IgG antibody test. He noted that this is not a virus in the bloodstream, but in the respiratory system. And respiratory antibodies are usually an IgA antibody of duration that is not yet known. Way too many unknowns.
    The percentages of infection and deaths are all subject to huge qualifiers. Babel.
    At some point soon, we as a community, will have to step out with caution and see how it goes. There will be no certainty. We will have to pray and trust God. Charlie, your advice is solid and true.

    Liked by 13 people

    2. Marianne,
      I read this article that states the virus is not respiratory but blood borne:
      “The past 48 hours or so have seen a huge revelation: COVID-19 causes prolonged and progressive hypoxia (starving your body of oxygen) by binding to the heme groups in hemoglobin in your red blood cells. People are simply desaturating (losing o2 in their blood), and that’s what eventually leads to organ failures that kill them, not any form of ARDS or pneumonia. All the damage to the lungs you see in CT scans are from the release of oxidative iron from the hemes, this overwhelms the natural defenses against pulmonary oxidative stress and causes that nice, always-bilateral ground glass opacity in the lungs. Patients returning for re-hospitalization days or weeks after recovery suffering from apparent delayed post-hypoxic leukoencephalopathy strengthen the notion COVID-19 patients are suffering from hypoxia despite no signs of respiratory ‘tire out’ or fatigue.”

      https://web.archive.org/web/20200405061401/https://medium.com/@agaiziunas/covid-19-had-us-all-fooled-but-now-we-might-have-finally-found-its-secret-91182386efcb

      Liked by 5 people

      1. Thank You Jesus!
        Sounds like the miracle we’ve all been praying for.
        ALLELUIA! What an answer to prayers.

        Liked by 4 people

      2. Phillip, I your linked article last night and found it fascinating. I was going to forward to to several friends and family this morning and the link will not open. Has anyone else discovered this?

        Liked by 4 people

          1. Beckita, I took your advice and found the article on truthorfiction.com
            The author himself made the claim that he threw the article up on Medium to spark discussion Saying:
            “The article has since been taken down by Medium, but it seems it garnered sufficient interest in the 12 hours it was up as to be handed off to much more qualified and experienced hands. We’re hopeful some of this can be found to be useful; it may or may not, but NOT sharing it would have weighed heavier on our minds if we found out later this theory, or something similar to it, could have helped save lives and yet we did nothing about it.”
            Seems it’s far from tested. Rats, I was hoping.

            Liked by 5 people

            1. One of the things I do is always look to see if an author takes responsibility for his statements of fact – or whether he hides behind the line that “this is one man’s opinion.” Also, does he give his true name? If both of those criteria are not satisfied, I ignore it – because anyone can make up anything, creating false fear and false hope. It is hard enough navigating the news where people do take some formal responsibility (even if they try to wiggle out regularly). I will just not go into the wilds with someone who wan’t take any.

              Liked by 5 people

              1. Did you just use a cool contraction here (wan’t) or was it a typo? Maybe I’m odd, but seeing a new/old/forgotten/unknown word for the first time is like finding a gold nugget.

                Liked by 3 people

                  1. Well, I can’t determine if it’s actually a word… but it’s a keeper. As some ole’ guy somewhere probably used to say, “waste not, wan’t.”

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  37. Thank you Charlie for this piece. Starting Holy Thursday my head has been in a muddle that was increasing …until I finished your article a short time ago. I thank you that it was long because it became a process of heartening.

    Liked by 6 people

  38. Happy Easter, Charlie and All,

    Charlie, my husband and I both think this piece is Magnificent! Heartening! Awesome! It dispels fear and brings light. Thank you for all the hard work you put into it. It is the best Easter gift we could have received. I especially like your recommendation to read The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien brought me through to safe shores (the Grey Havens) through 4 years of desolation in Mordor.

    Hallelujah! He is risen!

    Liked by 8 people

    1. I must say Beckita, that Easter Mass live streamed today in my family room, brought tears, not the JOY of past years. I’m not in despair and I do realize that many brothers and sisters throughout the world are joyous to even receive Jesus once a year. I, as many faithful, feel great sorrow not being able to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. I have been blessed to be able to adore our Lord each week and have access to confession. But OH, how I long to receive Jesus once again. May it be so. May THY WILL be done.

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      1. I will confess to you, SanSan, I do not like Mass as a “reality show” rather than a shared public participation in worship. When we come out of this, may we NEVER let it happen again.

        Liked by 9 people

        1. Amen, Charlie! I would just feel angry watching Mass on TV. I have found a way to continue to attend Mass, although I don’t know if you should clear this, in case big brother is monitoring all of us. Just kidding–or am I? Definitely trying to stay under the radar. Things are so weird. I agree with every position you have set forth in this piece.

          Liked by 8 people

          1. Ha Kim!! When I first started occasionally commenting here years ago, I actually emailed Charlie to ask how he would handle it if an entity tried to force him to turn over our identities. 😂😂😂. He assured me he is not easily bullied.

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            2. I know Charlie would never give us up!! But I’m not really incognito here! Oh well– I don’t worry about people knowing where I stand. Our DA here said we’d be put in jail for breaking the quarantine rules, and orange is just not my color. Oh dear!

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        2. Father John, who sent Easter cards, a letter and some Palm Sunday palm piece to his flock, joked in his letter about this meme that turned the tears that were flowing down my cheeks into smiles by his kindness and sweet disposition. ❤

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            1. Mass in this format was a saving grace for me years ago when I was unable to leave the house due to an incapacitating injury. My *go to* Mass at the time was Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. My parents both grew up in Angel Guardian Orphanage (now Misericordia). Mercy Home is in Chicago too and one of my former parish priests presides over the their Masses on occasion. It resonated with me. ❤

              https://www.mercyhome.org/sunday-mass/

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              1. I get it, Jen! Its wonderful for people in the situation you were in. It’s difficult for me because I think it’s all so unnecessary that we are being deprived of going to Mass.

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                1. I so agree, Kim. Mass at home is not my preference. Thank God for the above the ground options for the time being while the wrinkles are being ironed out.

                  My former Chicago parish was St. Tarcissus; brave little martyred soul!

                  This hand drawn picture was the winning entry in the grammar school bookmark art contest. The artist Peter was learning English as a second language, and my daughter Veronica was his mentor/tutor. ❤

                  Liked by 4 people

        3. Amen!! Been listening to Patrick Madrid this morning cleaning out my refridgerator 😦 I HATE CLEANING OUT MY REFRIDGERATOR !!! LOL

          Patrick has been talking about one of the Kennedy’s piece out about the dangers of the possible new coronavirus vaccine coming out by Dr Fauci and who else but (menses?) Bill and Melinda Gates!!! They want to inoculate the whole world before you can board a plane, go back to work, buy, sell etc etc etc ….the string??? It will or could sterilize the recipient! This is just so crazy! Anybody else hearing about this? You could re-listen to this account by Madrid 3rd hour Monday April 13, 2020 on the Patrick Madrid show on relevant radio app. Just go to menu in upper left hand corner… go into shows on demand… scroll down to PM click on it and go to hour 3 on the date i stated above! Just alarming!

          Liked by 3 people

          1. There’s power in prayer. Imagine if everyone in our ASOH community and all believers in the Gospel, in the spirit of Ephesians 6, said a prayer (daily and repeatedly if it comes to mind) from the heart along with the St. Michael the Archangel Prayer that his cohorts of angels confound the plans of the enemy at work in those who are living an anti-Gospel way. We pray like we mean it and remain in Peace, for it is the Lord and His Power we invoke in Jesus’ Name, and then we go about our day, taking our next right steps under the banner of Trust, Do, Love.

            “Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

            Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:11-18)

            Liked by 9 people

  40. As we carry on with private, rather than public, Masses, for those who cannot get into your churches for Eucharistic adoration, a friend of our site, Jim, has done a tremendous amount of work which I’ll convey to you in his own words:

    For over 20 years now, I’ve been updating and maintaining the Eucharistic Adoration database for The Real Presence Education and Adoration Association based here in the Chicago area. You can see the database for the USA and Canada here at http://www.therealpresence.org/chap_fr.htm

    I started following Charlie’s blog back in 2015, and was inspired to really go at updating the database starting in 2016 (kind of my mission to acknowledge God, take the next right step, and be a sign of hope for others). I had a feeling back then that Eucharistic Adoration was going to become more and more important, and I needed to get things as up to date as possible. Since then, I’ve been able to add an extra 3000 or so locations for adoration, so that it is now up to 8513 parishes in the USA, and 621 in Canada. I’m just one guy working on this, although there are few other people in the organization that are handling other things, like setting up exhibitions of the Eucharistic Miracles of the World posters around the country. Anyway, it takes me close to 2 years or more to go around the country just once pulling the information from websites, parish calendars, and bulletins. There is a lady in Canada that I’ve been working with to get Canada as up to date as possible also.

    With all the places around the country closing down Masses, and in many cases, also the Eucharistic Adoration chapels, there is still one avenue available (at least for now).

    There are several Adoration chapels with live webcams. We have links to many of these here: http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/pea/addition.html

    I started working on this back in 1998, and wondered if the Adoration Chapel directory would ever do much good, aside from a few people who travel and would like to find adoration where they are going. I always had the feeling though, that it was going to be needed someday – that people are going to be coming back to Jesus and that when they do, they are going to want to know where they can go to find Him. Awhile back, there was thread on Charlie’s site about First Aid stations, and I’ve kind of pictured this directory as setting up signs all around the country pointing to where all the spiritual First Aid stations can be found – staffed by the Greatest Healer of All Time – Jesus Himself.

    Thank you so very much, Jim!

    Liked by 13 people

    2. So beautiful Beckita!!! For a few days now after our parish priest Mass I’ve been live streaming ewtn Jesus in live monstrance all day long in our home since it’s a smart tv and can live stream from Fb!!! I’m texting this now to you in Our Beloved’s silent gaze! What a comfort!!! Also I’ve been re-doing the “Surrender Novena “ Charlie gave out in Jackson!!! And it’s snowing 🌨 Actually one could probably go out and do a pretty good snow 😇 angel right about now!!!!! Hmmmmmmmmmm….. or maybe not🤔 they might see me and lock me up !!!!😂😂😂

      Liked by 2 people

  41. Well said, Charlie. Happy, Blessed Easter, folks. Praying for renewed hearts in Christ and a renewed, peaceful earth.
    Update. My sister Maureen is at home and recovering well. There are lingering effects of the stroke but nothing devastating to date. Praise God. Thank you for the prayers.

    Liked by 8 people

  42. Here is something else I would like to share with you.
    In September, of 1995, my wife, my daughter and I went to a Marian conference in Chicago. While we there listening to the speakers, a thought came to my mind about how souls go to hell. Now no one was talking about this subject, for some reason I just started thinking about it. Before I go on, I must tell you that I have read several messages that state that God does not send souls to hell, that the soul sends itself to hell, and I had wondered how this could happen. Well as I said, I was thinking about this, and it is like this, darkness is sin and light is God. Now if a person lives in a room or cave of compete darkness and has been there for along time, when that person comes into the light, he or she can not stand the light so the person goes back in to the dark room. This is like a soul that has lived in sin, when the soul dies, it cannot stand to look at God, Who is pure Light, so the soul drives itself into hell. Now the next day I was praying before Jesus in the blessed sacrament, the Holy Eucharist, when I began to think of this again and it was like this, a soul who lives in sin lives in darkness, but if the soul, while still living would let some light in, then when the soul died it would be like a person, who was in a dark room but let some light in. So then when the person went into the Light, he or she would be able to squint their eyes and look at the light and eventually be able to open their eyes all the way. This would be a soul that, when it died was not pure enough to go to heaven, so it went to purgatory. All souls are different some have to squint harder then others and some can adjust faster to the light and some live always in the light, their eyes are wide open, these go straight to heaven.

    Liked by 9 people

    1. Dear cofears, welcome to the site. I see you had several lengthy dreams you wrote out to share with everyone. I have approved this piece above because it is relatively concise and has a point that may be useful to many. So you know, I did not clear the others. It is not because there was anything wrong with them, but because this is a site that focuses on the next right step and what we can do. It is not a speculative site that spends much time trying to interpret dreams and such. Oh, some of our long-time commenters occasionally indulge in such a thing, but usually to illustrate a larger point. Here we discuss issues, theology, how to navigate a strange world, how to live our faith practically in our everyday life and how to apply that faith in how we see the world, but it is usually fairly down to earth because that is the way I set it up. I hope you come to enjoy the comments site and become part of the community, but we mostly stick to more prosaic things…and that is how it will remain.

      Liked by 8 people

      1. Thanks for your response. I am not good at writing and I don’t understand a lot words especially words out of my range. I can’t spell very good. So I have use spell checker all the time. I am 78 years old and I pray everyday for the grace of a holy death. The reason I posted my dreams of darkness is I thought this was about darkness and I do not understand why I am getting so many of these dreams. I am not scared of them, I pray about them. And thought that others could pray about them. Seeing we are living in darkness. And yes there is hope. Our faith will prevail. May God bless you and grant you peace and keep you safe. Sorry for the long posts

        Liked by 11 people

        1. Charles, I am so glad you are here. I understand. We focus on the light, for it is Christ who brings light while the satan tries to cover it in darkness. I hope you will become a part of this joyful little community – for many speak of how our little community helps banish the fears of darkness from their lives. Again, welcome here.

          Liked by 10 people

          1. That is true we must focus on the light and banish the fears of darkness from their lives. I am not afraid of the darkness, For I know that the LIGHT WILL PREVAIL. But the world is cover in darkness and I don’t understand why I am getting all these dreams of darkness. As I go to confession every month and more and I go to mass almost everyday, pray the rosary, etc. For some reason I believe God is given these dreams as they are so real. And it is going on for so long. I am worried about what will happen to the world. Even though I know the light will prevail. But all those who are lost I fear for. I am doing my best to bring the light, but so many are not listening. I fell something terrible is going to happen to the world. May God bless us and keep us safe and grant us peace.

            Liked by 4 people

        3. “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”
          (Acts 2:17)
          Dream on, CF, dream on….

          Liked by 5 people

        4. Welcome Charles fears!!!! We all have a whole lot of fun here and we help each other through all of this darkness you speak of!

          I’ve been having weird dreams too…earthquakes, strange things and scary things!

          The funniest one though was Easter Morning! I couldn’t sleep too well during the night, so I slept in a little later than I usually do! My dear sweet husband, Michael, woke up bright and early and began to make our Easter dinner while I was still asleep!

          The problem with our “unusual” Easter dinner was that we hadn’t been able to get out and get a ham so we decided to use what we had! Well….we had 2 big packages of round steak so Michael decided to make a dish called beef stroganoff in memory of his mother, Mary, who had died a year earlier on -this year- Good Friday!!!

          The only trouble with this wonderful meal is you have to pound and pound and pound it out before you cut it in pieces or you won’t be able to chew it too well with your teeth even after hours and hours of cooking!!! Ya buy cheap, ya get cheap!

          Hahahaha! So I somehow incorporated the pounding going on in my dream to being all kinds of construction going on in our home! My dream shifted to the fact that I had to go to the wash room! But every room I went into (in my dream) were construction workers so i couldn’t use the wash room anywhere! Big problem and the pounding was driving me crazy!!!!

          Ha!!!! Well, thankfully, I woke up and was pleasantly surprised Easter meal was well on it’s way! LOL

          Liked by 5 people

          1. Hey Linda! Disregard if not helpful. I think that could mean you’ve had a lot of changes (remolding or additions or repairs) to either your spiritual life or family life and you’re having a hard time finding the time or appropriate safe place to release or be delivered from negative byproducts of the work being done (emotions etc).

            Liked by 4 people

            1. That makes a lot of sense irish7!!! I think mostly my new way of life is so different than it was just a month ago I’m still not adjusted to it! I think so anyway? But I guess we’re all sort of in the same spot…just surreal 🤗 thanks for the advice Irish7 ☘️ 🤗🙏❤️🌹

              Liked by 2 people

              1. Same here Linda. It feels like everything is swirling with little to no time to process it all in the midst of new adjustments on top of already overwhelming daily tasks.

                Liked by 3 people

          2. Hi, Linda,
            I don’t seem to have many dreams but boy the other morning I had a doosey. A pink rattlesnake was stretched out along the kick board under my kitchen counter. It smiled so sweetly and followed me wherever I went in the kitchen. My husband was in the kitchen. As soon as I went outside and my husband wasn’t there it aggressively chased me. Huge fangs biting at me. My husband ran out with a shovel and killed it. I immediately “knew” that it was sin and the evil one.
            I think I like not having or remembering any dreams better than having something like that. Yuck.

            Liked by 2 people

            1. Oh my GOODNESS handtotheplow!!! You must’ve been soooo scared!!!y dream of snakes were🐍 they were swimming in a river just like that emoji… but real high up in the water.., the first one was big and very dark in color..,the second one was behind it and a different unusual color!!! Yikes!!! I had my hubby go thru out house today with a crucifix and give the devil da boot!!! 👞 🐍 (per Fr Ripperger advice!!!) what scary times in which we are living handtotheplow!!! Maybe tonight we both sprinkle some Holy water 💦 on our pillows!!!🙄 lol hang in there kiddo!!! Sounds like ur hubby pretty awesome guy too!!!

              Liked by 1 person

              1. Thing is Linda, I’m not that afraid of snakes. I have a healthy respect for them and appreciate their existence. I’m startled by their movement when I almost step on them.
                To me the dream tells me I’m on the right path. Why would the satan harass my thoughts or try to scare me if I was in his camp? My husband always tells me fear is not from the Lord. I am thankful.
                Years ago the perpetual adoration chapel was a few blocks from my house. One evening vandals sprayed grafetti on the door with satanic symbols. To me it was an affirmation. The evil ones recognize GOD!
                Another realization about the dream was that as long as I had some sort of weapon in my hand the pink snake was still and friendly. The weapon was scripture and the rosary. when I went outside I didn’t have them with me. That is when it attacked.

                Liked by 3 people

                1. Ahhhhhh!!!!! Sneaky sneaky 🐍 snakes!!!! Yes I get what you’re saying!!! We need to be armored up at all times!!! I’m praying a lot lately to my guardian angel and St Michael these days!!!

                  Liked by 1 person

  46. Charlie, your comment, “If you cannot know what will happen precisely, a well-formed interior life will guide you on how to respond to whatever happens.” Reminds me of an old axiom to the effect that in the case of man, ‘Morality sees further than intellect’.

    Liked by 7 people

  47. The Chaplet of The Divine Mercy Novena
    Fourth Day: Mon.

    Today bring to Me THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN GOD* AND THOSE WHO DO NOT YET KNOW ME. I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy.

    Most compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do not believe in God and of those who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart.

    Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who do not believe in You, and of those who as yet do not know You, but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

    Liked by 5 people

  48. What a wonderful talk by a priest, Fr. Jose Luis Saavedra, who has deeply studied and discerned the Garabandal messages. The title of his talk, a requested topic actually, was: Coronavirus and the Warning Predicted in Garabandal

    Father demonstrated great knowledge and wisdom in discussing the messages, rooting them in the Fatima messages and exhorting serious caution regarding interpretation. (How sweet were the sound of his words, reminiscent of the more than eighty pieces Charlie posted about the weightiness and complexities of interpreting prophecy back at TNRS. ) Fr. Saavedra reiterated that it is the Church who must finally interpret. One example was his mention of the two interpretations concerning the detail of the 3 Popes in the messages. Father said, “I wouldn’t dare to affirm either interpretation now.” How about that for a priest, erudite in knowledge of the theology of mysticism who has spent hours and hours, yes, some years studying the Garabandal messages?!

    An excerpt from Fr. Saavedra’a book – Garabandal Message of Hope: Recent Marian Apparitions – places the primary focus of the messages squarely where they belong, leaving to God the unfolding of any details given to the girls.

    “So, the message anticipates the “most serious” concern later expressed by the Magisterium. It shares many other points with recent documents of the Church. Along with the Eucharist, the message indicates:

    -The need for penance: “You should make more sacrifices”;
    -Meditation, especially of the Gospel: “Think about the Passion of Jesus”;
    -Repentance and the gravity of sin: “Pray to us with sincerity and we will respond”;
    -The importance of prayer and petition: “Ask with constant prayer.”

    Owing to the clear orthodoxy of these points, there is no need for further explication. The message is an authentic exhortation to conversion: “I, your mother, through the intercession of Saint Michael the Archangel, ask you to amend your lives.” Once again, the Lady appears as Mother, and her message is penance and conversion.”

    For anyone who’s interested, here’s the video title at You Tube:
    Coronavirus and the Warning Predicted in Garabandal – Talk by Fr. Jose Luis Saavedra – English

    Liked by 7 people

    1. This is an excellent talk given by Fr. Saavedra. Be advised that the English translation is not working today. This was not a problem for me…but I wanted to share the video with friends and will have to try later to see if the problem has been resolved. THANK you so much for posting this. I ordered his book as well. 🙂

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Kati, it wasn’t working well when Father went live but there’s also a Spanish language version. What I did, then, was to open two tabs. I shut the sound off of the Spanish version and watched it while the English translation from the other tab was playing.

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Thanks for this Beckita!!! I do believe it!!! Ever since the angel again gave Sister from Akita the last message in October was it??? To pray the sorrowful mystery daily and to offer big fasts I have been doing so!!! Our Lady needs deep prayer and below belt fasts!!! Yikes!!! God save us all🤗🙏🙏🌹📿😇😄💝✝️

      Liked by 3 people

    3. Gonna do that now Beckita!!! Thanks!!! My days seem to be getting mixed up lately (now I understand why my dearest mom used to say that when they hit retirement age) but I think it was yesterday on relevant radio they were talking about the October 6th new message to Sr SasWaga (sp?) in regards to saying only sorrowful mysteries and much penance!!! Boy oh boy was that timely or what!!!😬

      Liked by 1 person

  49. JESUS = GOOD NEWS! 😉

    https://townhall.com/columnists/rachelalexander/2020/04/13/finally-a-court-case-in-alabama-may-start-to-decimate-roe-v-wade-n2566784

    https://spectator.org/the-holy-week-musings-of-pope-francis/

    Prayers needed for these poor people forgotten in the China Plague “Situation”!
    https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/148515/passover-new-wave-of-locust-plague-hits-africa-this-time-its-20-times-bigger

    I have become convinced that Doc Fauci & his sidekick are part of the ongoing Media/China/Global Elite/Democrat Party Coup to Take-Out Trump by all means …. and the health/wellbeing of The Republic be damned!
    When the dust settles, I’ll bet that Fauci will become the Robert Mueller of the China CoronaCrud … “Never let a crisis go to waste” Op. Just a Front man with, allegedly impeccable creds, doing what he’s told by the DeepState Dark Side! …. Oh! Fauci is pushing a Immunity Card (Mark of the Beast)…. “Show us your papers” …… HullyGee! Do you think he thought that up himself?
    http://www.floppingaces.net/2020/04/13/the-mendacity-of-dr-anthony-fauci/

    https://stream.org/theres-no-vaccine-for-the-tyrannovirus/

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/04/fauci-tells-sharpton-warned-trump-admin-mid-late-january-real-troublefrom-coronavirus/

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/04/update-fauci-said-cruises-ok-march-9-fauci-said-malls-movies-gyms-ok-feb-29-now-wants-blame-trump-failures/

    https://spectator.org/five-quick-things-the-tyranny-of-the-karens/

    https://townhall.com/columnists/kurtschlichter/2020/04/13/the-rise-of-karenism-means-this-lockdown-nonsense-needs-to-end-soon-n2566769

    https://thefederalist.com/2020/04/13/new-info-doj-fbi-knew-trump-surveillance-was-based-on-russian-disinformation/

    https://nationalinterest.org/feature/americans-are-academically-ill-equipped-defend-constitution-143092

    GOD SAVE ALL HERE!!

    Liked by 7 people

    2. Forgive me if I already posted this here. I’ve been reading and sharing a lot lately!

      Just thought this was interesting

      HUGE: Brilliant Dr. Shiva, Inventor of Email, Outlines Connections Between Bill Gates, Dr. Fauci, the WHO and the CDC – Relevant to Coronavirus Pandemic
      https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/04/huge-brilliant-dr-shiva-inventor-email-outlines-connections-bill-gates-dr-fauci-cdc-relevant-coronavirus-pandemic/#post-comments

      Liked by 7 people

    3. And Crewdog, doesn’t Fauci have close (conflict of interest) ties to Gates (whose actions/words grow more creepy by the hour)??

      It’s so disheartening to me to see all left leaning friends immediately jump on the Fauci band wagon gleefully carrying his weaponized words as their battle standard. I see the same old patterns of behavior/belief just becoming more deeply entrenched in folks. Devout orthodox Christians turning even more to God, purification, sanctity in their fear and suffering and liberals (Christian and otherwise) doubling down on TDS, anger, media talking points etc. Hopefully some of you are seeing more awakening and critical thought than I am. It just makes me tremble with (I hope) holy fear of God for them and all of us at what it will ultimately take for scales to drop. Charlie, I think you have spoken of this bizarre doubling down even as truth is revealed phenomenon before. It was hopeful to hear that you think *some* will see through the dem power grabs at least. I still see opinions breaking down and solidifying along party lines. Even with the Michigan governor insanity, the strong public reaction seems to correlate to political leaning. Maybe there is a quiet middle having a come to Jesus moment that I’m missing? I really hope so. Also your thoughts on the demonic influence sweeping a whole party made me also think of that same phenomenon in Rwanda. Truly I see otherwise good and decent people proudly spewing demonic words from the demonic seeds planted in their hearts by dem/media propaganda. It makes me so very sad and surrendered to the need for the storm.

      Awesome job solving the Covid treatment puzzle Steve BC! 😊 I’m not nearly as intellectual as you all, but give myself solid marks in the intuition category. If months ago before the treatment debate, I had been given the blind choice to follow Dr Fauci’s from the CDCs future protocol or Steve BC from Charlie’s blog….hands down Steve. Hey, it’s no double blind clinical trial, but intuition is hugely underrated. 😆 Love your wisdom Steve!

      Happy Easter all and a million thanks for the thoughtful analysis and heartfelt guidance Charlie. Truly a balm to my (tired but still feisty) soul. Keep on keeping on friends. ❤️

      Liked by 5 people

      1. Just a wee tweak on SteveBC’s treatment protocol. Rather than intuition, it’s based on solid research and Steve’s longstanding understandings about what keeps a human body healthy and how to nurture a sick body back to health. His knowledge base in the area of health is just amazing.

        Liked by 5 people

      2. Ha Kim. We must have posted at the same time about the Gates connection. I had not heard the Dr Shiva info. Thanks for sharing.

        Liked by 5 people

      3. Irish7 et al, I appreciate and am a little stunned by the extravagant praise. Please be aware that I have done no original research, as have so many others who unlike me are on the front line and working like crazy to figure this stuff out. I simply read a lot of articles and kept matching what I already knew to what I was learning until things started to come together. The zinc item came up early, but a number of trials that showed less or no effectiveness for hydroxychloroquine didn’t use it, so the conclusion was pretty clear, and someone more knowledgeable than I provided the explanation that the HCQ helps push zinc into an infected cell, where the zinc shuts down a molecule the virus needs in order to replicate. And there it is. So other people found all the pieces. I just have a bit of a nose for determining what’s more true than false and going with that. As it is, my research is winding down because the work of all these people is gradually converging to something steady and useful.

        And lest any of you think me a super-med guru with superpower anti-infection walls that completely protect me from all illness, rest assured that everyone gets humbled at least a little. My research did pay off this past weekend, after I apparently was exposed late last week to someone with a simple intestinal flu. Man, did I go down hard late Friday night! Fortunately, I did have some Vitamin C and several other items that I could and did take to help me heal, so I am now back on my feet and doing well. 🙂

        Liked by 4 people

        2. Hahaha! You make me laugh, SteveBC! (“super-med guru with superpower anti-infection walls”) Glad you’re feeling better. I still think you’re pretty erudite, though. 🙂

          Liked by 3 people

            2. Linda, the answer is “sort of”. In 1981 I helped found one of the first three entrepreneurial rocket companies in the US (and thus the world). All three started in 1981. I was on the business side, but in a company like that, everyone gets into everything. In fact, I was the head of our first set of engine tests in a facility in the Nevada desert. Very fun and a huge amount of work. The actual rocket scientist was a housemate of mine. After our company failed in 1984, he later went on to help found another rocket company, The American Rocket Company, where he developed a very innovative vehicle that never had a chance to have a test flight because their CEO was killed in a car accident at a crucial moment.

              Interestingly, the technology we used eventually ended up being used by Burt Rutan and what is now Virgin Galactic and is now powering Space Ship Two. Nice.

              The company I was with did have a short test flight out of the water off San Diego in August, 1984. Here is a picture of it with some history – for scale, it was a 52 foot tall single-stage suborbital test vehicle:

              http://www.astronautix.com/d/dolphin.html

              So, yes, I am a rocket scientist, sort of. 🙂

              Liked by 3 people

              1. That is really really cool Stevebc!!! Thanks for sharing all that with us!!! Btw how’s mom doing? I pray she is well!!!🤗🙏❤️😇🌹✝️

                Liked by 1 person

                1. Linda, thank you for asking about my mom. She is … fading a little, week by week. If you could send her a few prayers, that would be very appreciated. Thank you.

                  Liked by 2 people

                  4. Prayers continue for your mother… and for you, Steve, as you walk with her through these days. So blessed for all the praying squirrels to be tucking you both in our hearts of prayer.
                    🐿♥️🐿♥️🐿

                    Liked by 4 people

                1. LukeMichael, I’m glad you enjoyed my tale. It’s a story I enjoy telling, and it happens to be true. You might be interested to know that one of the other founders and a lobbyist he hired to work in Washington in the early 1980s with us were truly instrumental in working with the Reagan Administration to put in place most of the private space flight regulatory framework that is still in place today (as far as I know). Because of them, the framework has been much more open and free than it would otherwise have been, and all the current generation of space businesses continue to benefit from their work.

                  I’m delighted to hear you’re taking your supple-meds! I hope they are working well for you and keeping you healthy. 🙂

                  Liked by 1 person

  50. Thanks for your words of wisdom Charlie. Only God can get us through this one and we will each have to totally rely on him. From what I’ve read, there are some not very nice reasons Dr. Fauci is talking down hydroxychloroquine and that’s because he has his eyes on the money making prize of vaccines for everyone. I hope that is not the case but the facts seem to point in that direction. (Doubtful they will include zinc in any clinical studies.)
    Robert Kennedy Jr. has an interesting take on this and I’m attaching the link. Everyone in these times will have to discern for themselves, with the help of the Holy Spirit’s guidance, who to believe . Right now I’m praying for protection for RFK Jr and that the armor of God is with him as he shares his truth. https://childrenshealthdefense.salsalabs.org/natestestytest_copy3_copy1?wvpId=89585e2a-754a-4f1c-9a0b-432ade485e5d

    Liked by 6 people

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Published by charliej373

Charlie Johnston is a former newspaper editor, radio talk show host and political consultant. From Feb. 11, 2011 to Aug. 21, 2012, he walked 3,200 miles across the country, sleeping in the woods, meeting people and praying as he went. He writes on cultural, global and political issues from an orthodox Catholic perspective. He emphasizes that we find God most surely through the ordinary, doing the little things we should with faith and fidelity. His constant refrain is that, to live real joy, we must acknowledge God, take the next right step, and be a sign of hope to those around us. He lives in the Archdiocese of Denver in the United States.