Rembrandt’s painting The Storm on the Sea of Galilee expresses well the nature of contemporary society.  We are in the midst of a raging storm.  The storm often distracts us from the presence of Jesus in our midst.  Despite Jesus admonition to fear not, we tend to act like the disciples in the boat.  Don’t we often allow our fears instead of our faith govern our response?   Shouldn’t we encourage one another to pick up our weapons of faith to effectively respond to the storm that we are contending with in our contemporary culture?  Don’t we often buy into contemporary cultural dictates that contradict the gospel?   If we are going to transform our godless culture, isn’t it necessary to pick up our weapons of faith? Without exercising our faith, can we be victorious against the enemy we are battling against? 

 

Rembrandt, The Storm on the Sea of Galilee, 1633

Our vocation in the Church is to proclaim the gospel without compromise.  With our wholehearted response, won’t the Holy Spirit expose the darkness we are contending with?  Won’t the same Holy Spirit kindle fire in our hearts?  Won’t He also lead us to the source of success: Jesus?   Where will we find Jesus?  Isn’t it in the heart of His Church?  In our communion with Jesus, we possess what is needed to defeat the darkness that is enveloping so much of our contemporary culture.

Doesn’t our calling compel us to assist one another to recognize the evils of our culture?  Doesn’t this same calling require us to work in solidarity with our brothers and sisters to defeat our enemy?  Shouldn’t we encourage one another to bring to bear the splendor of the gospel, the power of Christ, upon our contemporary neo-pagan culture?