Do You Feel Trapped?

I am aware of the high rate of depression, sadness, and suicide in our country.  I see many people who think, and act, as if they were alone, so what they want is the most important thing; it makes them feel they matter.  And they can’t ever seem to get what they want.  They feel trapped.  I understand, but in one recent day I heard some things which caused me to reflect:  perhaps things are not as bad as I thought.  Maybe I can do something great with my life.

If you feel trapped in some way, read, listen, and pray over what follows.

Sunday, I heard three new things.  The first just informed me of events around me, events I was aware of but never fully considered.  Fr. Ed, our pastor, mentioned his attendance at the ceremony where men from the diocese were being accepted into the formation programs for deacons and priests.  “We are one of the smallest parishes in the diocese,” he said, “but half of those men were from this parish.”  He went on to speak of what makes our parish yield such good fruits.  It’s all actions:  to love God and to love neighbor.  The focus of the mass and all our adult and youth training programs is not about fun or preaching, but learning how to love.  And then we act on what we have learned, and we have learned what is most important --- each of our lives matters.

The next two things were an EWTN radio program re-broadcast of Al Kresta’s 2-hour show of August 18, 2022.  The first hour contained an interview with a man who lives in Poland, right on the Ukraine border.  Talk about a depressing situation!!  But, …. Why haven’t you heard about the millions of Ukrainians who fled across the border to Poland, the refugee tent cities, the starving children, and (or course) the need for so much money?  Why haven’t you read about the tons of refugees seeking to come to the U.S.?  Why? ---- because it is not happening, and so it is not news in our country (which only seems to report when Satan appears to be winning).  As the Kresta interviewee explains, in Poland the key is love; the people of Poland show love to their neighbor.  Listen to this interview yourself; our press doesn’t report this beautiful story.  The Ukraine refugees are not trapped at the border, trapped in Poland, or trapped in fear.  They feel loved, live with the Polish families, and await their return to their homeland.  Listen to their faith.

The second Kresta hour is his interview with Fr. John Riccardo, speaking of ACTS XXIX’s Rescue Project.  Fr. Riccardo explains how Adam and Eve chose Satan over God, and man became trapped in Satan’s world.  We all are trapped here, but God always loves us, and He sent His Son to rescue us.  He fought the war to free us, and He won.  And so now we are the refugees, still living in the land of Satan, but we can cross the border to His love.  We may feel trapped, we may be afraid of the unknown and not want to move, but He is waiting for us.  The border is open; He rescued us!!  He loves us, each one of you, you and me.  We are not trapped, unless we choose to be.  Fr. Riccardo explains the heart of the Gospel is: You matter.

This is the link to listen to the First Hour of the Kresta program:  Kresta in the Afternoon – August 18, 2022 – Hour 1 - Ave Maria Radio .  (The interview with Poland starts about minute 22.)

This is the link to the Second Hour of the Kresta program:  Kresta in the Afternoon – August 18, 2022 – Hour 2 - Ave Maria Radio .  (The first 20 minutes are a good summary, but Riccardo explains details the entire hour.)

All three of these Sunday events, the sermon, and the two Kresta interviews give me --- and you --- hope.  Look how people can love.  Think of what those people in Poland are doing --- loving.  You can do that.  Think of how those Ukraine refugees are feeling.  You can feel that way --- because you are loved.  As Fr. Riccardo explains, you were a prisoner of Satan’s world, but Jesus rescued you; He went to war for you; He died for you.  But He didn’t lose the war; He rose again, and freed you.  Walking with Him, you are not a POW to this world.  You are free.  You are loved.

Listen to, think about, pray about --- not me, but what He is saying to you through these things.

May God bless you.