We continue to battle the devil's work within our Church.  Media has had a field day, fueling anti-Catholicism on a global scope.  What does this do to the real Catholic Christian?  It makes them pray harder, longer, and with a deeper sincerity.

For the real Catholic, there is no option of going to another religion.  They know that Jesus Christ is present in the Holy Eucharist, where would they go?  It's almost like Christ asking Peter, "do you want to go with them?".  Peter's answer still lingers in the air, and in the hearts of the true followers of Christ.  "Where would we go, Lord, you are the only one that has the words of life!"  It is still true today.

No doubt, there will be those that were not secure in their faith that will leave under the persecution and the scandal, but they, like those that left Jesus as He spoke the words, were not truly His followers.  They were there to eat the multiplied loaves that fill the stomach, not the Bread from heaven, the Christ Himself.

You remember, Jesus didn't call them back, but let them go, and offered the same free will choice to the Apostles.  They knew the difference, and stayed.  We will stay too!  We may have a Judas or two here and there, but that is not the entire band of Apostles.  We know that and trust in our God.  Nothing, not this period of time, nor that to come will shake the foundation of the true Church.  You see, Christ said that He would not allow the gates of hell to prevail over His Church.  How blessed are we that are persecuted in His name!  How much joy and peace comes to us as we follow His will, while the world sinks lower and lower in the pain of despair, dissolution and more perversity.  For these, they do not know that man has the ability to actually touch heaven here on earth!  They do not know that Christ is truly risen and truly Present in the Most Holy Eucharist, the path of salvation.