By now you’ve all heard President Biden’s warning that the world is closer to Armageddon than at any point since the Cuban Missile Crisis. He’s right, of course. But that has been the case since Russia first invaded the Ukraine. It was also the case in 2014, when Russia annexed the Crimea. It was also the case in 2008, when Russia invaded Georgia. Whenever Russia launches a conventional war, the odds of nuclear war go up.
So, let’s take the President’s words in their proper context. Because the thing about 1962 is—nothing happened.
But let’s also take St. Paul’s advice to heart: “Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
I’m asking my readers to join me in me in a regime of fasting and prayers. I won’t tell you how to go about it, but I suggest the following:
1.) Abstain from alcohol. If you don’t drink, abstain from dessert or some other pleasure.
2.) Abstain from meat one (extra) day a week. If you don’t eat meat on Fridays, abstain on Wednesdays as well. If you don’t eat meat on Fridays or Wednesdays, abstain on Monday as well.
3.) Pray more, every day—whether it’s a few Jesus Prayers, an Our Father, a Rosary or the Mass.
4.) Go off social media. Not only is it a useful penance, but it will prevent you from getting bogged down with needless stress.
5.) Recite these words of Our Lord: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.”
Let’s be clear: this is not a plea for apathy. It’s a call to action. The Scriptures don’t say, “Just kick back and relax, God will sort it out.” No: St. Paul tells us to lay our petitions before God’s throne. Our Lord tell us to live lives that are pleasing to God.
Now is a time for Christians to launch a grand crusade—a holy war for peace, armed with prayer and penance.
“Apart from me you can do nothing,” Jesus tells us. But with Him, we can do anything.
So, take up your weapons and march.
Deus vult.