“Storms, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters ordinarily happen as a result of natural causes. Nonetheless, the book of Revelation does teach us that God, at the end of time, will allow a freer manifestations of the power of demons (see Revelation 13:13-14), even to the point of affecting the physical world…Once, I was praying for a lady who suffered from a demonic influence. Soon it began to rain, then hail, and the hail became gradually more intense. Then a strong storm wind began to buffet the church.” ~ Fr. Jose Antonio Fortea
The last few days have been personally marked by huge swings of elation and sadness: on Saturday (August 23, 2014) I hosted a very successful Day of Reflection for men with same-sex attraction at the Carmelite Monastery in Oakville; the next day - I was back there looking at the enormous devastation caused by the earthquakes. I started to wonder, if one event was connected to the other. For, I believe that the once wicked city of San Francisco, and the surrounding Bay Area, is at the threshold of a great Christian renewal: the instillation of three wonderful Bishops of the Church - Cordileone in San Francisco, Barber in Oakland, and Vasa in Santa Rosa; the success of many smaller Catholic schools; and the continuing efforts to further the cause of Life (especially at the annual SF Walk for Life.) Satan does not want to lose the new Sodom. As in the Litany of the Saints, it includes this appeal: “Lord, save your people…From the scourge of earthquake.”