Some 20 years ago when I was “called to the wall” to begin The Now Word apostolate, setting aside to a large degree my music ministry, few people wanted to engage discussion of the “signs of the times.” Bishops seemed embarrassed by it; laity changed the subject; and mainstream Catholic thinkers simply avoided it. Even five years ago when we launched Countdown to the Kingdom, this project of publicly discerning prophecy was openly mocked. In many ways, it was to be expected:
…Remember the words spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, for they told you, “In [the] last time there will be scoffers who will live according to their own godless desires.” (Jude 1:18-19)