By Chris Sparks, Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception - So as news continues to break of famous folks behaving badly, or the malfeasance of their family members or friends; of the latest casualties of war, of the successes or failures of offensives and counteroffensives — wars and rumors of wars, you might say; of all sorts of great and terrible things, where even the good news involves painful sacrifices, terrible losses, tragedies of all sorts — as we continue to live in a time of chastisement and reckoning, of consequences, we need to remember God’s gifts and promises are able to make a real difference and overcome all enemies.