Going The Distance - Patrick Madrid

Be Not Afraid
Here comes the Son, little darlings, here comes the Son.

I got a call today from a man who recently converted to the Church. He was concerned about the factions and bickering he was seeing among Catholics, and wondered why there was such turmoil. After chatting for 20 minutes or so, I think we both felt that things weren't as bleak as it may have seemed to him before. We discussed the many great things taking place in the Church today: the rise in vocations in those orders and dioceses where orthodoxy and a joyful enthusiasm for Christ is present; the explosion of good, new Catholic magazines, publishing ventures, apostolates and apologetics radio programs; the consistent advances being made by Catholics in spreading the gospel through TV, the Internet and shortwave radio. We talked about the many good bishops being named. Most of all, we reflected on Christ's promise that He would be with His Church "even until the end of the world" (Matt. 28:20).

Clearly, good things are happening in the Church; stalwart individuals and groups are rising all around us, willing and able, by God's grace and a holy generosity, to shoulder the burden of the challenges that face us in the modern world. True, things are difficult and we face many dangers, but I rejoice in the evidence that Christ is always true to His promise: "I will not leave you orphans" (John 14:18).

Yes, we live in a tough time. Yes, being openly, unashamedly Catholic carries with it certain risks and costs. But this is nothing new. The Church has always lived in difficult times (epochs of peace have been relatively uncommon over the last 2,000 years), and we shouldn't be surprised that our generation must face (and conquer) its own peculiar set of challenges.

By the time my phone conversation with this new convert ended, I think we were both energized about our calling to be apostles for Christ. Rather than worry about how "bad" things might seem, our discussion prompted us both to a keener awareness that this is an exciting time, a wonderful time to be Catholic — ours is a moment of immense opportunities for grace. But you and I, of course, must be willing to rouse ourselves to seize that moment. The New Testament is marked by the hopeful expectation of Christ's Second Coming, but it's also tempered by the reality that each generation of Christians, not knowing when He will return in glory, must be busy about the Father's work, preparing for the coming of the Kingdom.

Things are difficult today, yes, but I don't see darkness enveloping us. I see the light of Christ pushing back the darkness, slowly, inexorably, and not without a struggle on the part of each of us who loves Him.

I hope and pray that Envoy will always serve you, our reader, as a useful tool for you to use in your enthusiastic response to Christ's call in your life. Pray for us, please, as we pray for you, that Envoy's mission in the task of the New Evangelization will always conform to the words of Christ, echoed repeatedly by our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II: "Be not afraid."

In this issue
We've selected topics and profiles that I think will be helpful to you in your efforts to radiate the light of Christ in your part of the world. First, a touching and deeply introspective conversion testimony by my friend, Lynn Nordhagen, graces the pages of this issue. In her story, "Once, Twice, Three Times a Catholic," she unravels the tangled series of events that led her out of the Catholic Church, back into it for a time, out again, and then (mercifully), home again to stay. Her journey involves deep reflection and struggle with issues such as the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. I was refreshed and encouraged by her story, and I believe you will be, too. Turn to page 46 for the details.

Speaking of details, haven't you wished you've had them at your fingertips when someone lobs a glib, anti-papal sound bite at you? It would be great to know how to respond to the sometimes vicious, sometimes silly, usually fictitious statements about the papacy that folks toss around. Well, in this issue we give you a crash course in five of the most common arguments you'll encounter against the papacy. My article, "Pope Fiction," walks you through five commonly heard myths about the papacy. Pope Joan? Yep, she's in there. The pope as the 666 Beast of Revelation 14? That's tackled also, as are other anti-papal bugaboos you're likely to encounter. The demystification starts on page 26. Pssst . . . by the way, my next book is due out soon. It's called Pope Fiction: Answers to 25 Myths and Misconceptions About the Papacy and will be available later this year. Keep your eye out for announcements right here in Envoy.

And speaking of new books . . .
My colleague, Envoy's managing editor Matthew Pinto, has recently released his first book: Did Adam & Eve Have Belly Buttons? It's an excellent question and answer book geared toward teens and young adults. It's only been out a couple of months and is already garnering rave reviews from priests, lay leaders and young people, and by all accounts, it looks like it'll be a blockbuster. You can order your copy by calling 800-55-ENVOY. Whether you're a parent, a student or just someone who wants to help young people come closer to Christ and His Church, Matt's new book is a valuable resource.

More about Envoy junkies
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Please call our Rep Coordinator Lynn Klicka at 920-993-8699. She'll give you all the details.