If you are in spiritual warfare with evil and the devil, return to the Sacraments which, according to St. Thomas Aquinas is the principal cause of Sanctifying Grace. Sacramental Grace will protect us from evil and save our souls.
The Sacrament with perhaps the greatest power over the devil is Holy Orders. This Sacrament gives a man the power (as a priest) to forgive sins and change bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. The devil fears this and has absolutely no power over him.
A woman who converted from being a practicing Satanist to a Catholic once said, "I used to take pleasure bringing born-again
Christians to their knees if they tried either 'exorcising' my demons or
speaking to me of Jesus' love. Protestants of all denominations were also
'sport' as they quickly buckled under my power when they tried to convert me.
However even back then I feared the Catholic priest as I knew, as did my demons,
that I was no match for the power that came through him from God."
Christians need to return to the power of the Sacraments to defeat evil, suffering and the devil.
Read the rest
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Sunday, September 23, 2012
My Thoughts are not Your Thoughts
If we want to end our sadness and misery we must change the way we think, act and behave. This is impossible to do on our own, yet possible through the grace of Christ.
We must be crucified with Christ so we can say with St. Paul, "Not I, but Christ lives in me!"
It is really a dying to pride. We all have our own opinions and want to do things our own way. This doesn't work. The true disciple is humble who will put on the mind of Christ (that is accept all His Church teaches).
The Holy Father (leader of Christ's Church) recently made this point in his Angelus:
We must be crucified with Christ so we can say with St. Paul, "Not I, but Christ lives in me!"
It is really a dying to pride. We all have our own opinions and want to do things our own way. This doesn't work. The true disciple is humble who will put on the mind of Christ (that is accept all His Church teaches).
The Holy Father (leader of Christ's Church) recently made this point in his Angelus:
What does all this say to us? It reminds us that God's logic is always “other”
with respect to our own, as God Himself revealed through the mouth of the
prophet Isaiah: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts / nor are your ways my
ways” (Is 55:8). For this reason, following the Lord requires of every person a
profound conversion, a change in his or her way of thinking and living, it
requires an opening of the heart to listen, in order to allow oneself to be
enlightened and interiorly transformed. A key point in which God and man are
different is pride: In God, there is no pride, because He is absolute fullness,
and is completely given to love and to give live; in us, on the other hand,
pride is deeply rooted and requires constant vigilance and purification. We, who
are little, desire to appear great, to be the first, while God, who is truly
great, does not fear to humble Himself and make Himself the last. The Virgin
Mary is perfectly “in tune” with God: Let us invoke her with confidence, that
she might teach us to faithfully follow Jesus along the way of love and
humility.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Why God Says No
It is very natural to have desires and yearn for something or someone. It is also very difficult when someone says "no" to our wants and needs, especially if that person is someone we love.
God does this sometimes.
We’ve all experienced those occasions when our prayers seem to have gone “unanswered”. Given the many comments in the Bible regarding the Lord hearing our prayers, could there really be such a thing as “unanswered prayer”? While the obvious answer is “no”, why is it that we sometimes ask but don’t receive?
In order to answer this question, let’s first be honest about what we mean by “unanswered prayer”. Basically, when we use this term, we’re not saying God didn’t answer, but rather that His answer was “no”. This leads to another important question (and one that IS answerable), “Why does God sometimes say ‘no’”? Let’s open up the Bible and look at some reasons why the Lord may deny our requests:
Read the rest
God does this sometimes.
We’ve all experienced those occasions when our prayers seem to have gone “unanswered”. Given the many comments in the Bible regarding the Lord hearing our prayers, could there really be such a thing as “unanswered prayer”? While the obvious answer is “no”, why is it that we sometimes ask but don’t receive?
In order to answer this question, let’s first be honest about what we mean by “unanswered prayer”. Basically, when we use this term, we’re not saying God didn’t answer, but rather that His answer was “no”. This leads to another important question (and one that IS answerable), “Why does God sometimes say ‘no’”? Let’s open up the Bible and look at some reasons why the Lord may deny our requests:
Read the rest
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Be Open - End Misery
In Lebanon the Pope spoke to a crowd of youth on how to overcome misery and achieve happiness,
Christ asks you, then, to do as he did: to be completely open to others, even if they belong to a different cultural, religious or national group. Making space for them, respecting them, being good to them, making them ever more rich in humanity and firm in the peace of the Lord. I know that many among you take part in various activities sponsored by parishes, schools, movements and associations. It is a fine thing to be engaged with and for others. Experiencing together moments of friendship and joy enables us to resist the onset of division, which must always be rejected! Brotherhood is a foretaste of heaven! The vocation of Christ’s disciples is to be “leaven” in the lump, as Saint Paul says: “a little leaven leavens the whole lump” (Gal 5:9). Be heralds of the Gospel of life and life’s authentic values. Courageously resist everything opposed to life: abortion, violence, rejection of and contempt for others, injustice and war. In this way you will spread peace all around you. Are not “peacemakers” those whom in the end we admire the most? Is it not a world of peace that, deep down, we want for ourselves and for others? سَلامي أُعطيكُم – My peace I give to you! (Jn 14:27), Jesus says. He overcame evil not with more evil, but by taking evil upon himself and destroying it completely on the cross through a love lived to the very end. Truly discovering God’s forgiveness and mercy always enables us to begin a new life. It is not easy to forgive. But God’s forgiveness grants the power of conversion, and the joy of being able to forgive in turn. Forgiveness and reconciliation are the paths of peace; they open up a future.
Dear friends, a number of you are surely asking in a more or less conscious way: What is it that God expects of me? What is his plan for me? Wouldn’t I like to proclaim to the world the grandeur of his love in the priesthood, in the consecrated life or in marriage? Might not Christ be calling me to follow him more closely? Think about these questions with confidence and trust. Take time to reflect on them and ask for enlightenment. Respond to his invitation by offering yourselves daily to the Lord, for he calls you to be his friends. Strive to follow Christ wholeheartedly and generously, for out of love he redeemed us and gave his life for each one of us. You will come to know inconceivable joy and fulfilment! To answer Christ’s call to each of us: that is the secret of true peace.
Read the rest
Christ asks you, then, to do as he did: to be completely open to others, even if they belong to a different cultural, religious or national group. Making space for them, respecting them, being good to them, making them ever more rich in humanity and firm in the peace of the Lord. I know that many among you take part in various activities sponsored by parishes, schools, movements and associations. It is a fine thing to be engaged with and for others. Experiencing together moments of friendship and joy enables us to resist the onset of division, which must always be rejected! Brotherhood is a foretaste of heaven! The vocation of Christ’s disciples is to be “leaven” in the lump, as Saint Paul says: “a little leaven leavens the whole lump” (Gal 5:9). Be heralds of the Gospel of life and life’s authentic values. Courageously resist everything opposed to life: abortion, violence, rejection of and contempt for others, injustice and war. In this way you will spread peace all around you. Are not “peacemakers” those whom in the end we admire the most? Is it not a world of peace that, deep down, we want for ourselves and for others? سَلامي أُعطيكُم – My peace I give to you! (Jn 14:27), Jesus says. He overcame evil not with more evil, but by taking evil upon himself and destroying it completely on the cross through a love lived to the very end. Truly discovering God’s forgiveness and mercy always enables us to begin a new life. It is not easy to forgive. But God’s forgiveness grants the power of conversion, and the joy of being able to forgive in turn. Forgiveness and reconciliation are the paths of peace; they open up a future.
Dear friends, a number of you are surely asking in a more or less conscious way: What is it that God expects of me? What is his plan for me? Wouldn’t I like to proclaim to the world the grandeur of his love in the priesthood, in the consecrated life or in marriage? Might not Christ be calling me to follow him more closely? Think about these questions with confidence and trust. Take time to reflect on them and ask for enlightenment. Respond to his invitation by offering yourselves daily to the Lord, for he calls you to be his friends. Strive to follow Christ wholeheartedly and generously, for out of love he redeemed us and gave his life for each one of us. You will come to know inconceivable joy and fulfilment! To answer Christ’s call to each of us: that is the secret of true peace.
Read the rest
Friday, September 14, 2012
Triumph of the Holy Cross
Today is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Just as the evil one brought destruction from a tree, Christ brings salvation from one. This instruemnt of pain and suffering is used to transform our own.
As the Holy Father said, “For Christians, to exalt the cross means to be united to the totality of God’s unconditional love for mankind. It means making an act of faith!” he said.
“To exalt the cross, against the backdrop of the resurrection, means to desire to experience and to show the totality of this love. It means making an act of love!”
“To exalt the cross means to be a committed herald of fraternal and ecclesial communion, the source of authentic Christian witness. It means making an act of hope!”
All Christians should venerate crosses (wear crucifixes and hang them in their homes) as a reminder that Christ will overcome and conquer suffering.
Read the rest
As the Holy Father said, “For Christians, to exalt the cross means to be united to the totality of God’s unconditional love for mankind. It means making an act of faith!” he said.
“To exalt the cross, against the backdrop of the resurrection, means to desire to experience and to show the totality of this love. It means making an act of love!”
“To exalt the cross means to be a committed herald of fraternal and ecclesial communion, the source of authentic Christian witness. It means making an act of hope!”
All Christians should venerate crosses (wear crucifixes and hang them in their homes) as a reminder that Christ will overcome and conquer suffering.
Read the rest
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Listen to God
"Inundated by so many words, we are not inclined to listen to what God tells
us," and "our prayer must first be Listening to God" and "praise of God," not
only , "as it is usually, of request," Benedict XVI said in his
reflections with the faithful.
Much of our difficulty stems from failing to really listen. We may talk a lot in prayer but unless we hear the voice of God our struggle remains.
We hear God's inner voice through meditation and contemplation (sitting still in a room). The trick is to learn not to react the negative thoughts as we are still. By remaining calm, we become "wrapped in the love of Christ".
Read the rest
Much of our difficulty stems from failing to really listen. We may talk a lot in prayer but unless we hear the voice of God our struggle remains.
We hear God's inner voice through meditation and contemplation (sitting still in a room). The trick is to learn not to react the negative thoughts as we are still. By remaining calm, we become "wrapped in the love of Christ".
Read the rest
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Open Your Heart
Suffering can result from isolation (when we close ourselves off from God and other people). There lies a danger of an "inner closing" which covers the deepest core of the person, what the bible calls the "heart".
Jesus came to open and liberate us, to enable us to fully live our relationship with God and with others. This is why the word, "Ephphatha - Be opened", sums up Christ’s entire mission.
Holy Father's Remarks
Jesus came to open and liberate us, to enable us to fully live our relationship with God and with others. This is why the word, "Ephphatha - Be opened", sums up Christ’s entire mission.
Holy Father's Remarks
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Mother Teresa
Blessed Mother Teresa is an example of a person who transforms suffering into joy. She did this primarily through dedicating her life to serving the poor.
The “ABCs” of Blessed Mother Teresa
Ave Maria Meditations
 Always have the courage to say sorryBe kind, be compassionate Control your judgements Don’t let yourself get discouraged Every minute is precious don’t waste your time Find out what is nice in each other Give until it hurts Have deep respect for each other If you really want to love God, love one another Just do small things with great love Keep your heart clean Learn to pray, love to pray, and pray often Make time for each other in your family Never tell lies Only believe you are precious to HIM Put love in whatever you do Quite alot of people have forgotten what love is, so begin to give the joy of loving Refrain from prejudice Smile at each other Take the trouble to listen Use your talents for the glory of God Very often, we look but we don’t see. Let us look AND see When humiliation comes, accept it and offer it eXcuse rather than accuse You must learn to forgive Zeal is a second name for love. Do not lose that zeal! Sign for Our Times |
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Die to Self for Christ to Rise - In You
The previous post suggests "finding" oneself. Christianity however, ultimately calls us beyond that (freely choosing to sacrifice ourselves for God and others).
The death of "self" is important to God. This a crucial lesson in an era of materialism, pride, and the "Me" Generation. God wants us to be absolutely truthful, totally honest, and prayerful (before making decisions). Our decisions should be in accordance with what God wants. In this way we begin to take off the "old self" and put on the "new".
Unless we die to our own wants as Fr. Phil Quealy recently stated, we risk replacing ourselves as "saviors" (not Christ), thus falling into the trap of the false prophets.
Our true call on the other hand, is for Christ to arise anew in each one of us.
We die to ourselves through contemplation (while ceasing the business and activity of the day). Through being still in quiet prayer, we realize that God is God.
It is best to contemplate at least 15 minutes each day before the Blessed Sacrament in a church (to actually see Jesus). If this is not possible, then alone in any room will suffice.
The death of "self" is important to God. This a crucial lesson in an era of materialism, pride, and the "Me" Generation. God wants us to be absolutely truthful, totally honest, and prayerful (before making decisions). Our decisions should be in accordance with what God wants. In this way we begin to take off the "old self" and put on the "new".
Unless we die to our own wants as Fr. Phil Quealy recently stated, we risk replacing ourselves as "saviors" (not Christ), thus falling into the trap of the false prophets.
Our true call on the other hand, is for Christ to arise anew in each one of us.
We die to ourselves through contemplation (while ceasing the business and activity of the day). Through being still in quiet prayer, we realize that God is God.
It is best to contemplate at least 15 minutes each day before the Blessed Sacrament in a church (to actually see Jesus). If this is not possible, then alone in any room will suffice.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
You are an Individual - Find Yourself
To "Know Thyself" is the basis of philosophical wisdom. When we attain knowledge of self and the reason for our existence, we are truly fulfilled. Contrarily, a lack of this knowledge can cause undue suffering in our lives.
God created each of us as unique individuals. This is proven by both science and Revelation. God wants us to live with Him for eternity, He wills that all be saved. Since we each have been given the dignity to freely choose our own destiny, our individual will must conform with the Father's.
We must find God to find our true selves (or allow God to find us). When this happens we encounter a deep, inner peace.
Note: Even when a man and woman marry, and the two become one flesh, individual identity remains. Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers explains this by the way of the Covenantal Love God has for His people and the Spousal love Christ has for His Church.
God created each of us as unique individuals. This is proven by both science and Revelation. God wants us to live with Him for eternity, He wills that all be saved. Since we each have been given the dignity to freely choose our own destiny, our individual will must conform with the Father's.
We must find God to find our true selves (or allow God to find us). When this happens we encounter a deep, inner peace.
Note: Even when a man and woman marry, and the two become one flesh, individual identity remains. Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers explains this by the way of the Covenantal Love God has for His people and the Spousal love Christ has for His Church.
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