How do you rebel in a culture that encourages every kind of evil and insanity on the planet? When tattoos and body piercing and weird haircuts and colors are the rage, when perversion is accepted and even honored as "pride" -- well...how do you rebel against that kind of freak show society?
When you're surrounded by a meaningless circus atmosphere, it seems to me that the only answer is, "Stop the world; I want to get off." Sadly, many feel that way, so the suicide rate skyrockets:
In 2024, the United States saw a troubling resurgence in suicide rates, reaching levels unseen since 1941. According to a report from U.S. News, the national age-adjusted suicide rate climbed to 14.7 per 100,000 people—an increase from 14.2 in 2022.
This statistic reflects a staggering 30% rise over the past twenty years, underscoring a deeply rooted mental health crisis. The total number of suicide deaths in 2024 exceeded 49,300, continuing an upward trend that has concerned public health experts across the country. [Source]
But there's another alternative. Life is not meant to be a spin on the carousel, riding round and round and never getting anywhere. For too many the loss of meaning in life is a killer. Victor Frankl, survivor of the Nazi death camps, a psychiatrist and philosopher, saw how despair destroyed hope. He believed that the search for meaning was the central human motivating factor. Those who found something to live for in the worst of circumstances were much more likely to survive than those who despaired.
So how do you rebel and find hope in a world that seems to have lost all meaning? When even your biological sex is considered mutable by psychiatrists, counselors, and other "wise" people, what's your life preserver?
It seems to me the answer is to embrace normal and turn to belief systems that give meaning to life. You run for the exit of the freak show, shake the dust (and manure) off your feet as you leave, and turn to the one who has all the answers -- GOD.
What is life's meaning? I learned it as a child studying the Baltimore Catechism. Why did God make me? To know Him, love Him, and serve Him so I could be happy with Him in heaven. And how do I do that? By loving Him with my whole heart, soul, mind, and strength and loving my neighbor as myself. And how do I do that? By keeping the commandments ("If you love Me you will keep my commandments.") and by practicing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
There are some positive signs that point to a resurgence of faith among the young. Gen Z appears to be sick of the world's mess. Thanks to peer influencers on the internet, many are finding their way to faith. For some it's just an embrace of a higher power, but the most fortunate are finding their way into the Catholic Church where they can receive the Body and Blood of Christ. For them there's a new scent in the air -- the smell of beeswax candles and incense. Jesus is the source of all meaning. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Those who find Him are the most fortunate.
If you want to think about this further, here are some articles describing the revival of faith among Gen Zers:
Catholicism’s Revival Among Gen Z: A Hopeful Trend in the U.K.
The Appeal of Catholicism Among Young Men and Lessons for Churches of Christ: Confronting the Vacuum Left by the Progressive Movement [This article is particularly interesting because it's from the perspective of a Protestant denomination.]
Gen Z is rebelling – by getting religion
Pray for the revival of faith among the young. They are the future of the Church and the world. God has not abandoned us. The devil's stranglehold on the world begins to collapse. There is hope for a bright future ahead. The Church began small, so don't let the numbers discourage you. It only took twelve apostles to begin to change the world. Let's roll!
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom, pray for us.
St. Joseph, Guardian of the Church, pray for us.
I have said it before: the most radical thing you can be is to be a very faithful Catholic.
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more!
DeleteReally enjoying your site. I appreciate your no-nonsense common sense and love for our Lord and His Blessed Mother.
ReplyDelete- From a later in life convert to Holy Mother Church
My daughter works with a woman who has long hair, wears long dresses and a cross around her neck. She also has a female co-worker who has several tattoos and piercings.
ReplyDeleteSurprise! It's the same woman. My daughter said to me she's obviously searching for something.
Decades ago my brother rejected the marriage, family, white picket fence as a way to rebel against his Catholic family. He was going to do it his way. Thankfully, (after decades of misery) he has the Catholic marriage, family and white picket fence now.