Urgent feeling to leave current life situation

[trapped]

For a few years now, I have been feeling an urgency to prepare for an upcoming, long-lasting “emergency”. Of course, the day is known to God alone when this will occur. It could be tomorrow, or it could be a hundred years from now. So far, I haven’t even stocked up on canned goods or drinking water.

However, what I feel in my heart is that like-minded Catholic families may want to commune together to live, worship and educate before a calamity occurs. Some may believe that the state of the world is already tragic enough to warrant drastic measures.

Are there like-minded Catholic families out there? Are there communities like this already in existence? Where are they? How would we go about finding the right place?

We are a family of 8. We do not have much cash on hand. We would be willing to share our talents and work.

Are other Catholics feeling this way? And what should we do about it?

 

[kage_ar]

Perhaps read and meditate on Matthew chapter 6. Talk to your Spiritual Director.

We are not to live in fear.

There are Catholics who live in community, but, this is to be done out of love and as a calling - not in a spirit of fear.

One such community is Little Portion littleportion.org/

 

[JPUSC]

LOL, calm down. The Mormons have been thinking about this emergency since the 1800’s and the Evangelicals have scared people to death with the “rapture”. I don’t see Pope Benedict XVI hiding out in the caves.

If you want to live in a Catholic town not necessarily preparing for a calamity, then Ave Maria, FL might be a nice place.

 

[Imryl]

If you want to live in a Catholic town not necessarily preparing for a calamity, then Ave Maria, FL might be a nice place.

JPUSC, I’m not sure suggesting FL to someone already facing some sort of paranoia is very wise. I mean, hurricanes, tornadoes and well, Tampa is the lightning capital of the world also! lol

 

[JPUSC]

JPUSC, I’m not sure suggesting FL to someone already facing some sort of paranoia is very wise. I mean, hurricanes, tornadoes and well, Tampa is the lightning capital of the world also! lol

Oh yeah, that’s right…but it continues to be the retirement capital of the U.S. so it can’t be that bad…

 

[FickleFreckled]

The spiritual life isn’t based on feelings. Your feelings may be legitimate or they may be anxiety. There are sure enough things going on in the world to make sensitive people anxious, and there are always our own personal tendencies toward interior anxiety. In any case, there’s nowhere to run. Stocking up might ease your anxiety a little, but in a real long-term emergency, those things can be stolen or forcibly taken from you by others who want them. That kind of thinking opens up a whole can of worms. How much would it cost you to be fully prepared for this emergency? Have you also been thinking about giving money to charity or someone who needs it? Ask yourself why God might give you these feelings and then ask why the other side might want you to have them. Anxiety isn’t usually from God unless it’s to wake us up to our sinfulness.

 

[Lancer]

I believe the response [by kage_ar] to your questions and feelings are the very best advice.

Perhaps read and meditate on Matthew chapter 6. Talk to your Spiritual Director.

**
We are not to live in fear.**

There are Catholics who live in community, but, this is to be** done out of love** and as a calling - not in a spirit of fear.

One such community is Little Portion littleportion.org/

Note another option: * Communion and Liberation**** --*** clonline.org/cl_world.asp or clonline.us/

​

But, make no mistake about it…you are not alone. I offer a couple of scripture quotes…and some thoughts for your consideration.

**1 Peter 4: 12-17 (NIV) Suffering for Being a Christian
**

12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for **j****udgment **to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

So, I believe that God’s judgment on our times will begin with his faithful…his Church. Example: our priest scandal (also look at the Church in Ireland…devastated). Just like the Jews…when we disobey/ignore Our Lord…there comes a time when he must correct us (out of love)…and he usually uses the enemies of the Jews/Israel/Judea…to this work for him.Look at 2 Chronicles 14-16, 16-23…4th Sunday Lent reading…

2 Chronicles 36:14-16 (NIV)
14 Furthermore, all the leaders of the priests and the people became more and more unfaithful, following all the detestable practices of the nations and defiling the temple of the LORD, which he had consecrated in Jerusalem.

** The Fall of Jerusalem **
15 The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. 16 But they mocked God’s messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the LORD was aroused against his people and there was no remedy.​

Who did the Lord use to do his work…

2 Chronicles 36:17,19, & 21 (NIV) 17 He brought up against them the king of the Babylonians, who killed their young men with the sword in the sanctuary, and spared neither young man nor young woman, old man or aged. God handed all of them over to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 They set fire to God’s temple and broke down the wall of Jerusalem; they burned all the palaces and destroyed everything of value there.
21 The land enjoyed its sabbath rests; all the time of its desolation it rested,** until the seventy years were completed **in fulfillment of the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah

Even if we (personally) are living a life of fidelity to Our Lord Jesus Christ, and all of the teachings of the Catholic Church (teachings on faith and morals of the Pope, Bishops and The Magisterium)…we must stay in the fight…and fight very, very hard [prayer, fasting/penance and almsgivng]…always for our own sanctification/soul…then for our bishops and priests…then our fellow Christian brothers and sisters (especially our Catholic family members).

Why…hopefully, first and foremost because of our love for the Lord Jesus (and his Body–the Church)…then out of love for all our neighbors. Lastly, and here is my selfish point/reason, notice that when the Jews/Israel/Judea…are punished…the faithful are not spared…they suffer even more…even though they have been doing everything prescribed in Mosaic Law…they are not spared. So look at the Church and the recent priest scandal…we Catholics all suffered (first and foremost the victims who were betrayed…also, many dioceses/parishes suffer greatly today)…especially suffering was the Holy Father (both JP-II & B-XVI)…and all the holy and faithful bishops and priests…and lastly all the faithful Catholics.

And who did God use to “prune” and “humble”…us: the media…the Boston Globe a staunch antagonist (at best) and outright enemy of the Catholic Church (at worse)…I mean it is a “carbon copy” (in my mind)…of what happened over and over to the Jews…because of their disobedience…and ignoring God’s messengers!

We are going to suffer a lot more (I believe) because the Catholic Church (both its clergy and laity) is still way too prideful (in the way we live and act out our lives individually as secularist (Mon-Sat) in our society/secular lives – too many of us are too often schizophrenic Catholic Christians – accepting and living in a natural human nature versus a divinely recreated nature as adopted sons and daughters of the God of All Creation…by our baptism and in/through the Church/sacraments…and because we still have way too much silliness in our liturgies (look at the Mosaic Temple) in the way we fail follow (both in big ways and small ways) what is prescribed for our liturgical rites…just to mention two broad categories.

The first and most importance response to the gift of Faith is obedience…and I put myself at the head of the line in failing on this point far too often…in favor of my own prideful ways. And I say that I believe in the model of obedience:

Philippians 2:8 (New International Version)

8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became** obedient to death—
even death on a cross!**

Lord Jesus Christ, Risen Son of the Living God, have mercy on me…a sinner!

Pax Christi

 

[RazzsMom]

Have you given any consideration that your “urgent fear” may be a medical condition? Think about having a complete medical checkup with bloodwork to rule out conditions such as thyroid problems, etc. And speak to your MD about your fears. He may want to do some tests and/or try anti-anxiety medication. I am speaking out of love for you and not trying to downplay the spiritual aspect of this.