Sister Lucia dos Santos, one of the three children who witnessed the Marian apparitions at Fatima, died in 2005. Before her death, she predicted that the final battle between Christ and Satan would be over marriage and the family. Indeed, this is what is happening nowadays and it is called DEATH. DEATH is an acronym that stands for Divorce, Euthanasia, Abortion, Total population control, and Homosexual marriage. All of these destroy the family.

A book studied the lives of serial killers and all of their family backgrounds were typical: all came from a broken family with a history of violence, anger, drugs, and immorality. Many also grew up without a father. This is what happens when we take away God from our lives. How true are the words of Jesus in the Gospel: I am the vine and we are the branches. 

Three of the many reasons why we need God.

1. First, we need God’s Guidance. Jesus uses the imagery of the good shepherd. The sheep are not very intelligent animals and are in need of constant guidance. Despite all the wonders of technology, we may have life more convenient and we may be more entertained, we may have more access to information, but why is there is an increase in mental issues, depression, worry, fear, and anxiety? As a branch is attached to the vine, we bring our cares to the Lord for he cares.
   
2. Second, we need to hold on to someone. There will be many times in our lives that our money will mean nothing, our power will mean nothing, our earthly security will mean nothing. Who do we call out to? Who do we hold on to? St. Teresa of Avila said: “Do not fear, do not doubt, all is passing but only God is constant.”
   
3. Third, we need God because there are things that are not seen. As human beings, we are made of body and soul. Hence in this world, there is the material and spiritual. There is the seen and the unseen. St. Paul says that the greatest warfare is spiritual warfare. Hence, we need God’s protection. Why are there so many people being afflicted with the paranormal? The response of one exorcist is simple: “You take away God, other spirits fill in the vacuum.”

In closing, let me share with you an imagery of a branch after a storm. There are branches that get cut off from the tree and they die and wither. There are branches that are still attached to the tree, although damage is imminent. Give it a few weeks new life comes out. We all have our storms in life, let us continue to hold on to God. Always be hopeful, new life will soon sprout out.