I fail a hundred times a day to live a "saintly life" as many are well aware. But as Bruce McGregor says at KVSS, "we're saints in the making." One thing I do is to keep on trying, receiving the sacraments that are there to help us grow in the virtues of faith, hope, and love. Daily Mass or weekly is a gift (that in other countries they don't get to practice, unless underground) and when we go there with a desire to change, that is the 'effort' God sees and blesses. None of us walk out of Mass 100% perfect and dripping with humility. We still have to battle pride, and our selfishness. It's a hard road, but that's why this helps: "I confess to almighty God and to you my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault. In my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and what I have failed to do. And I ask the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, all the angels and Saints, and you my brothers and sisters to pray for me to the Lord our God."

Sometimes, I think we in America forget that we are sinners in need of a Savior. We don't seek God because we're "educated" and "sophisticated" and our "daily bread" isn't something we have to search for or grow anymore...it's right down the street at the Quickie Mart. Our real "daily bread" is the Eucharist, but too many don't find the Eucharist important enough to partake. So the need to rely on a power bigger than ourselves is rarely pondered, let alone sought after. Sophistication and wisdom aren't the same thing. I know a lot of people with a college degree and multiple degrees who aren't very wise at all, as is evident with their life choices. What really matters isn't on their radar screen, not even a tiny "blip." Regardless of who is elected to be President of this country, not one thing matters more than our souls and the souls of others, especially those who can't speak for themselves, the least and smallest and weakest of us, the unborn, the old and the very ill.

The economy and global warming (cooling it was when I was a kid) and alternative energy sources mean absolutely nothing if one isn't allowed to be born. That is why I'm Catholic. Because it's true. Because Truth isn't subjective, but is an objective reality. Truth is a Person. When I ask that Person about my life and what I should do, I think He's more than willing to let me know, if I only give Him the time to speak to my heart. If I'm too busy chasing after my own desires, degrees, possessions, etc. then one day, I'll wake up and find that everything that was good is now considered bad, everything that used to be bad is now considered to be good. The world will have turned "upside down." Like now.

We're getting a wake up call today during this election year. We had one on 9/11. We keep hitting snooze. America is snoozing and soon we'll be losing much more than we could ever imagine. 1/3 of my sons' generation isn't here because of the legalization of abortion. If "going green" and the economy is more important than a baby's life, we're doomed! It might be that here in America, the Church will have to go underground as it has had to do in China and other places. In the words of Bob Dylan ( a little dated but still timely):

God don't make promises that He don't keep
You got some big dreams baby, but in order to dream you gotta still be asleep.

When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up
When you gonna wake up strengthen the things that remain ?

Counterfeit philosophies have polluted all of your thoughts
Karl Marx has got ya by the throat, Henry Kissinger's got you tied up in knots.

When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up
When you gonna wake up strengthen the things that remain ?

You got innocent men in jail, your insane asylums are filled
You got unrighteous doctors dealing drugs that'll never cure your ills.

When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up
When you gonna wake up strengthen the things that remain ?

You got men who can't hold their peace and woman who can't control their tongues
The rich seduce the poor and the old are seduced by the young.

When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up
When you gonna wake up strengthen the things that remain ?

Adulterers in churches and pornography in the schools
You got gangsters in power and lawbreakers making rules.

When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up
When you gonna wake up strengthen the things that remain ?

Spiritual advisors and gurus to guide your every move
Instant inner peace and every step you take has got to be approved.

When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up
When you gonna wake up strengthen the things that remain ?

Do you ever wonder just what God requires ?
You think He's just an errand boy to satisfy your wandering desires.

When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up
When you gonna wake up and strengthen the things that remain ?

You can't take it with you and you know that it's too worthless to be sold
They tell you, 'Time is money' as if your life was worth its weight in gold.

When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up
When you gonna wake up and strengthen the things that remain ?

There's a man up on a cross and He's been crucified for you
Believe in His power that's about all you got to do.

When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up
When you gonna wake up and strengthen the things that remain ?

I disagree with the one line "Believe in His power that's about all you got to do"
No. Even the Devil believes in His power. You have to do more...you have to cooperate with His grace calling you to Life. You have to repent and be baptized, St Peter said.