The Pilgrimage of Masses, January 8, 2011, 10 a.m., Assumption Parish
Homily by Fr. Tony Van Hee
As I see it, worldwide abortion, is the greatest single evil, in all of human history, apart from the death of Christ. Not this abortion, or that abortion, or many abortions, but worldwide abortion. And the greatest external force we are fighting against in this struggle, on the human level, in my opinion, is the mainstream media, which forms public opinion, for good or ill.
In regard to worldwide Christianity, and Western Civilization, the greatest threat seems to be, a lack of faith, a lack of belief in God, and atheism in all its forms. But neither the mainstream media, with its lies and propaganda, nor atheists with their unbelief, and their hatred of the God they say does not exist, are the real enemy. The real enemy is Satan, “a murderer from the beginning …[a deceiver] … a liar and the father of lies” (8:44), and with him a whole host of fallen angels.
“For”, as St Paul says, “we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12).
The mainstream media, the unbelievers, and all others who are fighting against us, are not the enemy. They are only misguided and deceived pawns, in the hands of Satan and his fallen angels.
So we have to use discernment. We want to encourage and cooperate with all that is good in the mainstream media, and in unbelievers, but firmly oppose and reject all that is not good.
Because this is a cosmic struggle far beyond our very limited capacities, we must remember the greatness of our God, who only allows evil, in order to bring about a greater good. We don’t always see the greater good, so we have to have faith and trust. In order to encourage this faith and trust in God, we must keep in mind the greatness of our God, who created the whole universe, which I am told, has a hundred billion galaxies, such as our Milky Way Galaxy, and in each of these galaxies, a hundred billion stars.
In each of our bodies, I am told, we have a hundred trillion cells, and the Bible tells us, that this great God of ours has numbered the hairs on our heads, and the sands on the seashore.
Yet, God is greater than all of His creation, the whole of the universe, angels and mankind included, so we have nothing to fear if we have faith and trust in Him. It is His household, so to speak, that is all messed up, and as head of His household, He is not losing sleep over it. He has it all in hand.
He grieves because of our suffering, our stupidity, and our sinfulness, but He is bringing good out of it all. He has it all in hand. If He can keep an ever-expanding universe, a hundred billion galaxies, each with a hundred billion stars, swirling around in space, in mathematical precision, and number the hairs on our heads and the sands on the seashore, He can surely bring about good in all that is happening to us here and now, to us, the Mystical Body and Beloved Bride of His Son.
If He allowed the crucifixion of His own Son, the greatest evil in all of human history,in order to bring about the greatest good in all of human history, our redemption and our salvation, He can surely bring good out of “this present darkness”.
And what is our part in all of this? Well, pretty small, but absolutely essential. We, ourselves, are pawns in this cosmic struggle between Satan and his fallen angels, and St Michael and his good angels, including each of our guardian angels. Our part in this cosmic struggle is, as it were, merely to show up for work each day, whatever that work may be, trusting that God will use us and our works, keeping in mind that each and every one of our least thoughts, words, and actions, when united with His Son’s, is of infinite value, and will live on eternally, whether it be gathered up in an eternal symphony of love and praise, or whether it be included and preserved in some other magnificent way, eternally.
Nothing is lost to God. Nothing is wasted. And nothing can alter the victory that has already been won for us, over all these evil forces,