Novena in Honor of St. Michael and All the Holy Angels - Day 5

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Novena In Honor of St. Michael and All the Holy Angels

Fifth Day:

Invincible Powers, whose mission it is to remove the obstacles to the Divine will, and to overcome its enemies, defend us against attacks of the world, the flesh and the devil, and in virtue of the Divine Blood, render us victorious in our combats against this triple power.

Saint Michael, the Archangel Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host - by the Divine Power of God - cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits, who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

(Optional prayer): 

O all ye Holy Angels, who contemplate unceasingly the uncreated beauty of the Divinty, in company with our ever glorious Queen, we present and offer to you this novena not only as a means of obtaining favors (here specify your request), but also as a reparation for our past ingratitude, and that of all men. Deign to accept it, O amiable Spirits, in union with the love and devotion of such saints as were especially devout to you, and obtain for us the grace to spend this life fervently that it may be be commencement of that blessed life which we hope to live forever with you in heaven.

O God, who with wonderful order has regulated the functions of angels and men, grant that those who always assist before Thy throne in heaven may defend out lives here on earth, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

N.B.:
A novena may be made at any time of the year, with any form of approved prayers, of which these are. By this exercise, the faithful may gain an indulgence of five years on each day, and a plenary indulgence at the end of their novena under the usual conditions. - "Preces et Pia Opera," 409. 


This Novena is from: St. Michael and The Angels, TAN Books, 1977.
You can purchase the Book at Aquinas and More.

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novena in Honor of St. Michael and All the Holy Angels - Day 4

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Novena In Honor of St. Michael and All the Holy Angels

Fourth Day:

Supreme Dominations, you who have authority over all the Angelic Choirs, and are charged with the execution of God's orders, rule over our minds and hearts, and in virtue of the Divine Blood, help us to know and faithfully to accomplish the will of God.

Saint Michael, the Archangel Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host - by the Divine Power of God - cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits, who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

(Optional prayer): 

O all ye Holy Angels, who contemplate unceasingly the uncreated beauty of the Divinty, in company with our ever glorious Queen, we present and offer to you this novena not only as a means of obtaining favors (here specify your request), but also as a reparation for our past ingratitude, and that of all men. Deign to accept it, O amiable Spirits, in union with the love and devotion of such saints as were especially devout to you, and obtain for us the grace to spend this life fervently that it may be be commencement of that blessed life which we hope to live forever with you in heaven.

O God, who with wonderful order has regulated the functions of angels and men, grant that those who always assist before Thy throne in heaven may defend out lives here on earth, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

N.B.:
A novena may be made at any time of the year, with any form of approved prayers, of which these are. By this exercise, the faithful may gain an indulgence of five years on each day, and a plenary indulgence at the end of their novena under the usual conditions. - "Preces et Pia Opera," 409. 


This Novena is from: St. Michael and The Angels, TAN Books, 1977.
You can purchase the Book at Aquinas and More.

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Heaven: Taking It By Force

We Catholics are waging in the battle of good versus evil. Whether we like it or not, we are in the midst of an eternal war between heaven and hell, and we have the freedom to choose which side we fight on. There is no option of sitting this one out, so choosing: "neither" will put us default on the side of hell. It isn't a pleasant thought, and it isn't always comforting - but it is just and it is true.

Today is the feast of St. Pio of Pietreclina (aka Padre Pio). He was once asked what he thought of those folks who were too modern to believe in Hell, and he responded that "they will believe in it when they get there."  Isn't that the truth!

Or is it? We think we have it all figured out - we live our lives according to our version of the faith, maybe we believe in Hell and satan, maybe we don't, or maybe we believe in something, but it certainly isn't strong enough to trap us. We are fairly good people, we sin of course - everyone does, so in reality it isn't a big deal. We will get around going to confession one day. By the time we are old and ready to give up the "good life" we can really get down to some serious faith. The whole daily Mass, daily Rosary, etc... is just too much right now.

Heaven and Hell

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Photo Link

If I could convince other Catholics of one thing it would be that we are actually, really, truly, in the midst of spiritual warfare. That demons exist, the devil is real, and we are bombarded with temptation, deception and seduction every single day.

In Matthew 11:12 we read that the violent take Heaven by force. I know this verse has a lot of different interpretations, but I trust the patristics, especially St. Jerome: it is meant that by our sin we are not guranteed heaven, but through the battle of our spiritual life, through a pursuit of what Jerome calls "excellence" we just might obtain Heaven. Might. It isn't like Kindergarten where everybody wins. God is just, and a just God would not allow those that have chosen to live apart from God through their free will, to enter heaven just because. Therefore heaven is not a done deal, we have to work towards it, we have to work to perfect ourselves - we must take heaven by force for it is not given to us, or granted automatically.

I think that we are called the Church Militant because we are in a battle. We can't find Jerome's excellence on our own, we need the Angels and Saints, their intercessions and promptings, and of course we need the Grace of God. They will do their part, as long as we do ours. This battle isn't physical of course, Ephesians 6 tells us that it is against principalities and powers, which are types of angels - or demons. So we must pray, we must do penance, and we must seek the Sacred Heart of Christ. We can't do it on our own, so we might as well accept that we need the help and seek the best help we could ever ask for.

As part of the Church Militant we must do our part and accept the reality of our strife. We are locked in battle, and we do our God, our Church, and our comrades-in-arms any good if we attempt to "pretend away" the reality of the situation. Everything matters, everything in our spiritual life is part of the war. Our Sacramental participation, our prayer life, the lack thereof, our relationships, our penance, and our defense of the faith. It all matters. As I said, we really only have two choices. We either courageously stand up, pick up our sword, and storm heaven, or we build up the devil's side through our complacency, laziness, and sin.

We are the Church Militant, Hell exists, and regardless of what we believe - it serves us much better to storm of into this war, then to sit back pretending it doesn't exist and hoping that we are right. Like St. Pio said, "we will know when we get there."

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Novena in Honor of St. Michael and All the Holy Angels - Day 3

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Novena In Honor of St. Michael and All the Holy Angels

Third Day:

Sublime Thrones, dazzling in your beauty, upon whom rests the Almighty and who convey His commands to the inferior Angels, obtain for us in virtue of the Divine Blood, peace with God, with our neighbor and with ourselves.

(Optional prayer): 

O all ye Holy Angels, who contemplate unceasingly the uncreated beauty of the Divinty, in company with our ever glorious Queen, we present and offer to you this novena not only as a means of obtaining favors (here specify your request), but also as a reparation for our past ingratitude, and that of all men. Deign to accept it, O amiable Spirits, in union with the love and devotion of such saints as were especially devout to you, and obtain for us the grace to spend this life fervently that it may be be commencement of that blessed life which we hope to live forever with you in heaven.

O God, who with wonderful order has regulated the functions of angels and men, grant that those who always assist before Thy throne in heaven may defend out lives here on earth, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

N.B.:
A novena may be made at any time of the year, with any form of approved prayers, of which these are. By this exercise, the faithful may gain an indulgence of five years on each day, and a plenary indulgence at the end of their novena under the usual conditions. - "Preces et Pia Opera," 409. 


This Novena is from: St. Michael and The Angels, TAN Books, 1977.
You can purchase the Book at Aquinas and More.

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Kreeft On: Spiritual Warfare

Dr. Peter Kreeft explains Spiritual Warfare in his book, Angels (and Demons)..., in the following:

Spiritual warfare is the battle between Good and Evil in all forms. The battleground is human souls. As Solzhenitsyn says, the line that divides Good and Evil runs not between nations or parties or physical armies but right down the middle of every human soul... We are surrounded by two invisible armies, and the army of the loyal angels is greater and stronger than the army of rebel angels.

He goes on to say:

[What can I do to help fight this spiritual war?]
1. Be aware of it. Believe it.
2. Use the weapons God ahs provided. Scripture calls them "the whole Armor of God" and lists them in Ephesians 6:10-18.
3. Pray daily.

Pray to your Guardian Angel, to St. Michael, to Mary, and to God. 

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Novena in Honor of St. Michael and All the Holy Angels - Day 2

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Novena In Honor of St. Michael and All the Holy Angels

Second Day:

Bright Cherubim, you who are allowed a deeper insight into God's secrets, dispel the darkness of our souls, and in virtue of the Divine Blood, give that supernatural light to our eyes that will enable us to understand the truths of salvation.

Saint Michael, the Archangel Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host - by the Divine Power of God - cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits, who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

(Optional prayer): 

O all ye Holy Angels, who contemplate unceasingly the uncreated beauty of the Divinty, in company with our ever glorious Queen, we present and offer to you this novena not only as a means of obtaining favors (here specify your request), but also as a reparation for our past ingratitude, and that of all men. Deign to accept it, O amiable Spirits, in union with the love and devotion of such saints as were especially devout to you, and obtain for us the grace to spend this life fervently that it may be be commencement of that blessed life which we hope to live forever with you in heaven.

O God, who with wonderful order has regulated the functions of angels and men, grant that those who always assist before Thy throne in heaven may defend out lives here on earth, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

N.B.:
A novena may be made at any time of the year, with any form of approved prayers, of which these are. By this exercise, the faithful may gain an indulgence of five years on each day, and a plenary indulgence at the end of their novena under the usual conditions. - "Preces et Pia Opera," 409. 


This Novena is from: St. Michael and The Angels, TAN Books, 1977.
You can purchase the Book at Aquinas and More.

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Special Blog Event - Starting Tomorrow Sept. 21: Blog Novena to the Holy Angels

Readers, I wanted to inform you all of a special "Blog Event".

Blog Novena to the Holy Angels

Nine Days Devoted to:

Angels, Spiritual Warfare, & The Ecclesia Militans

Culminating on the Feast of the Archangels

with

A Very Special Announcement

Sept. 21 - Sept. 29

I made the following "Promotional Video" regarding the event, please share it, and check back starting tomorrow for Angelic goodness. Also remember to "Stay Tuned", on Sept. 29 - The Feast of the Archangels, also this blogs 2nd Anniversary, for a Very Special Announcement.

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Of all the Saints...

Today presents me with one of those contemplative moods. The kind where the second you wake up, you are already in mid thought, and sense in your brain that you have been having an intense meeting with yourself for the better part of the night.

I had an awesome conversation with some very dear friends last night about the nature of our mission as spouses and parents. As Catholics, we need camaraderie with friends who not only share similar virtues and beliefs, but also who share the same perspectives that we may have on life.

I'll be honest, with my beliefs sometimes I feel quite alone. I know there are those that disagree with me that read this blog and could use this nugget of information against me, but I am not worried about such things. You see, my worry is not others and their attacks, my worry is my own sin and my own faults. The devil often worms his way into our hearts and heads through doubt and deception. So I won't let that which I feel is of God to be something I am ashamed or worried. I was thinking of all this when I ran across the post at Dymphna's Road today.

Of all the Saints that I could have come across today:

St. Joan ~ Ora Pro Nobis

While I am no St. Joan, I do feel her solitude. The doubt that she must have had to fight off to cling to that which she believed. The struggles of doing so much for her nation, only to be put to death for it by those entrusted with the faith, in which she believed. 

I guess in the end some of us will be right, and some of us will be wrong. It can't be about intellect, because that isn't just. It can't be just about effort, because that goes back to intellect. Maybe it is a spiritual intellect, our hearts, our souls that wage the daily wars of spirituality against the principalities and powers. I don't know, I just hope that I have the conviction, the love, the determination, the bravery, the humility, and the determination to wage the wars and take heaven by force.

I don't care what people around me say about me, especially regarding my faith. I have even begun to joke that if I am ever put to the stake over my beliefs, such as St. Joan, that I would much like to have a stake made of Cedar because I think the smell would be pleasant. I mean, at that point it would be little consolation but we should take what we can get right? Kind of like St. Lawrence, no use in being all sad and soppy when things get to that point, at least make it memorable? Don't worry though, I don't think I am worthy enough to be a martyr, nor do I think I am important enough that my little, probably blasphemous ideas are important enough to be a threat to anyones sensitivities. 

I do think though, that many of us are so afraid of offending one or two people that we would forsake all of heaven and our eternal souls to be well liked by a few. Isn't that what sin is really all about? If it isn't about private personal self-gratification, it is about looking good to others. St. Joan didn't have that problem, so she was killed. I wonder if she was put to death ultimately because Bishop Cauchon and the rest of the clerics were upset that she was making them look bad. Maybe they just really thought she was crazy. 

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The Death of Electron Boy: We've lost another 'Super-Hero"

After re-reading my last post I came to two conclusions: 1) Somewhere, someone is playing a violin for me. (Boo-hoo I don't have a job!) 2) I am pretty pompous to think people actually have the time to read about my troubles.

Electron Boy aka Erik Martin

Then, I read about the death of "Electron Boy" and realized I really am ungrateful.

In real life he was Erik Martin, a Bellevue boy with a constellation of severe health problems and a rare form of cancer. But in his imagination, he was Electron Boy, a superhero who saved Seattle from the forces of darkness and evil one spring day last year.

Erik died Friday morning at Seattle Children's hospital. He was 14.

There are worse things in life than what we perceive as struggles. We think our cross is sooooo heavy until we see someone half our age, half our size, and half our ability carrying a cross bigger than we could ever imagine.

Yet, God is still there to hold us and offer us his mercy and grace.

Read the rest of the story about the Passing of a Super-Hero --->>>>>>>>>>

h/t: Mark Shea

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Ford: Not Pulling Punches

Watch this.

You have to admit, this is genius. 

There is a lot to say about all this, but to be honest I said prior to the Bailouts and during the "pennies-a-share" period with Ford that they would be back. I grew up in Dearborn, Michigan. I was never a Ford "fan". I just liked GM/Chevy styling, and preferred Jeep products over anything Ford put out. Yet from a principle standpoint I get this commercial and agree with it. 

a Catholic press conference?

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What if some of our Bishops held a press conference like this? What if they came up to the microphone at Mass and said: 

"Contraception is a sin - it distorts marriage, our souls, and our way of life. Masturbation is a similar sin. There cannot be women priests, just like there can't be a round square. We need to stop using gimmicks in our prayer life and start going to Adoration and praying the Rosary. Abortion is wrong - always. You must go to Mass, every Sunday. Mortal Sin will send you to Hell and there is a Devil. Confession and the Mercy of Christ make sin and the devil distant memories."

Sometimes just speaking the truth is jarring enough to get people to realize the situation we are in. Charity, in the Catholic sense, isn't equivalent to being non-offensive, Charity should be about love and the SALVATION OF SOULS. We wouldn't refrain from yelling at a child about to touch a hot stove so that we don't offend them, instead we yell, because we love them. It is time for us as Catholics to stop pulling punches.

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But How Could He Let That Happen?

 Cross posted from Shoved to Them

This has been a difficult week to discuss the concept of Free Will with my children.  Perhaps it is Divine Providence that we hit upon this topic in the same week that the news channels are all running footage of the attacks of September 11th.  My 10 and 11 year olds are fascinated by the events of that day, but they keep coming back to the troubling question of "Why did God let that happen?"

I struggle with an answer to that question.  How do I explain to my children and myself how a loving God could let such atrocities occur?  Why doesn't he stop them?  He could prevent all this pain and heartbreak, but He doesn't.  How is that love?

Last night, by 10 year old answered it for me beautifully.  He kept sliding down the banister.  I hate this.  He doesn't seem to care what I think.  The stairs are steep; the banister is slick and shiny; sliding is fun and exciting.  No amount of warnings, punishments, or lectures have convinced him to give up his sliding completely.  We have tried, his father and I.  The child just won't listen.  He is obstinate and the temptation is greater than any threat or warning we can make.

Last night, he slid down and landed on his 2 year old brother.  #6 thudded on the ground and bonked his head on the wall.  Crying, tears, and pain were the result of #3's defiance.  Unfortunately, the consequences were not visited upon him, but upon his baby brother.

It was as I sat cuddling and consoling #6 that it dawned on me....God is a parent, too.  He, too, watches His children disobey.  He warns them; He points them toward the right path; He calls to them to change their ways, and just like me, He has to deal with the aftermath of their defiance.

God could have stuck the hijackers dead on 9/11.  They could have all keeled over from massive heart attacks.  He could have swatted the planes from the sky.  He did not.  He instead offered them mercy and gave them every opportunity to repent and change their minds, right up until the moment of their deaths.  He loved them enough to give them the chance to turn to Him even as He watched the horrible things hey did.  He was their Father, the Father of disobedient sons.

He was also the Father of those passengers on the planes.  He called to them to rise up and offer themselves for the chance to protect their brothers and sisters on the ground.  Those happy few in Pennsylvania heard the call of God and answered Him willingly, and became their Father's pride.  The same too of the first responders in the Towers.  They were their Father's mercy incarnate, hurrying the living toward safety even at the predictable cost of their own lives.  What joy for a parent in kind, generous and obedient sons and daughters.

Part of being a parent is allowing your children to make horrendous and disastrous mistakes.  Often, we can see the pitfalls long before our children get to them.  We can call and call to our beloved ones, but there are times when they will not hear our voice.  Then all a parent can do is love the injured, rebuke the disobedient, and try to ameliorate the damage that was done.

All I could do for my 2 year old last night was hold him close and kiss his owies.  I could have prevented it completely by handcuffing my older boy to my side, but imprisonment would not teach him self-control and to listen to his parents' council.  Instead, he would spend the whole of his life trying to escape from me and the prison I had built.  We have to love them both, the guilty and the victim.  We have to be parents to them both, just as God is parent to us all.

As I explained this to my sons this morning, the elder boy asked "But where was God's mercy and comfort on 9/11?  Where was the hand of God?"  It was then that I remembered the initial news reports of the tens of thousands who had died.  The initial suspected death tolls were a staggering 30,000.  Violence, hate and disobedience killed 3,000; but love and mercy saved 10 times that many.  Then, God sent the entire Christian world to love, pray for and grieve with the families left behind.  He sent His children, His beloved, to be His love for them on Earth that they would know they were not alone.  In those first horrible moments and days, they were not. What Father could leave his children alone and abandoned in their pain?

It's not that God let it happen, it's that His children were disobedient and ignored the warnings of a wise and loving Father.  In a tragedy, it is so easy to focus on the His power not exercised and lose focus on the love poured out.

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Joe's Commentary:

I really wanted Rebecca to post this because I think it goes right along with my post from earlier. I think that she is talking about a similar topic, but she just says it a whole lot better than I did. Normally I would link to her, but I thought it was so good I wanted to make sure all my readers go a chance to read it. She sometimes posts here when I go on hiatus, but she keeps all the really good stuff at her place, so make sure you go check "Shoved To Them" out.

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The Seduction and Deception of Me

One bite won't hurt...

In Pope Benedict's book "Jesus of Nazareth" the second chapter is titled: The Temptations of Jesus. In the "book" of my life that second chapter, more properly the first, would be titled: The Seduction and Deception of Joseph. I am no Jesus, and I sin. The devil is crafty and I find myself seduced and succumbing to his deceptions all the time. Just as Benedict points out, the devil does not sell blatant evil, but coaxes us: he seduces wryly. He could not crack Jesus... but he definitely cracks me, my sin is a product of falling for the temptations - hence, seduction and deception.

Jesus' temptations occur in the Gospel narratives where he goes out in the desert to be tempted, fasts, becomes hungry, and then is confronted by the devil. Looking at Matthew 4:1-11[1], we see that the temptations are about his power as God, or proof thereof. For us though as Pope Benedict puts it, temptation for us is about what matters to us:

"At the heart of all temptations... is the act of pushing God aside because we perceive him as secondary, if not actually superfluous and annoying in comparison with all the apparently far more urgent matters that fill our lives.
...
Moral posturing is part and parcel of temptation. It does not invite us directly to do evil – no, that would be far too blatant. It pretends to show us a better way, where we finally abandon our illusions and throw ourselves into the work of actually making the world a better place. It claims, moreover, to speak for true realism: What's real is what is right there in front of us - power and bread. By comparison, the things of God fade into unreality, into a secondary world that no one really needs.
...
What must the Savior of the World do, or not do? That is the question that the temptations of Jesus are about."

command that these stones become bread...

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The first temptation for Jesus, in Matthew's account, is to satisfy his hunger. It is for him to prove that He is God, by removing his own hunger by turning stones into loaves of bread. The devil is trying to subdue Jesus, by making him prove that He is God.

I do the same thing all the time. "God, I know you are there (sort of, I think) please do this thing... because you are God." I turn God into a self-proving theorem. No longer do I want to have faith or trust, but instead in my fear and weakness I try and use God, against Himself. I want Him to prove Himself to me, not only to satisfy my hunger for the truth and reality of God, but also to give me whatever it is I want. It is about wanting God and my life on my terms. I give into the hunger. I feel a pang somewhere in my belly for something, and I want it now. McDonald's serves billions of burgers not because they are the best, biggest, or healthiest. They are successful because they are fast and easy. We wouldn't pay $20 for them at a sit-down restaurant  where we had to wait 45 minutes for them. At least not to the tune of "99 billion served." Likewise, we want God to fix the world to our liking. He needs to fix world hunger, poverty, sickness, evil, pain, suffering, and definitely "global warming" if He is any sort of God at all.

I know that Jesus resisted this temptation, although hungry, by digging in and quoting Deuteronomy[2] saying that, "One does not live by bread alone." He is the Bread of Life. He gives us how to resist this temptation with His answer. His answer works for us too, except we are too lazy, scared, weak, foolish, greedy, self-absorbed or apathetic to use it. When the Devil tells me to grab the reins of life, to make bread from stones, all I have to do is say, "Nope, don't care if I am hungry, I don't need bread... I have THE BREAD OF LIFE."  But instead, I end up saying, "Oh man, yeah, I know I have God and all, but clearly he isn't interested in showing himself, so I guess I will put him second since He is making me second." Obedience and trust are necessary. As Benedict puts it, our obedience to God's word is necessary to allow our hearts to resist the "delusions and false prophecies" and to accept that we "don't live by bread alone."

putting God to the test...

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The second temptation is a "theological debate between Jesus and the devil." First the devil quotes scripture[3] as if he is some authority on it. Jesus again responds simply with His own scripture recitation. He tells the devil that the Lord should not be put to test. Simple, true, and easy. Well, maybe for Jesus. But what about me?

How do I even know God is there? Of course He doesn't want to be tested, He wants undying loyalty and belief without any effort on his part doesnt he? Well I can do that, I can believe... except what about that doubt. What if I "jump" and he doesn't catch me? What if something BIG happens and I really need Him to be there and He isn't? So I test him, I make some demands. Not always big demands, but similar to what devil is asking for, "Give me what I want, because you are God and can and should." This isn't such a big demand, right? I got Him now, this will secure in my mind and heart that He is God. The first temptation was silly, it was parlor tricks at best, so what if He doesn't satisfy my every hunger, this is about the power and ability of God. The devil invokes Psalm 91:11-12, pretty much a scriptural guarantee that God, via His angels, will never let us come to harm or even a stub of our toe. That means unemployment, sickness, despair, divorce, infidelity, addiction, debt, and all the other big dangers in life will be swept away by God, and if they aren't, well then there obviously isn't the God I thought there was, is there?

What a fool I am when I do this. Tricked again, seduced and deceived. What I don't realize is that this guarantee comes on the heels of ultimate trust in God. It isn't a pre-requisite for trusting in God, but the other way around. God isn't mine to "experiment" on or test. I am not above Him, I am not in a position to demand anything of Him. God loves me, and with love comes the fact of love that requires freedom and not compulsion. God loves us and wants to be loved in return. Submitting to our demands would negate that freedom required in a loving relationship. It is only when I let go, trust, and throw myself, not from the top of the temple, but onto the Cross, can God embrace me. This isn't a limit to His power but a just element of His love.

the kingdoms... of earth and heaven

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No way I would mistake one for the other, right?

The third is the worst temptation. It seems when I read it that I would never give in to such a blatant temptation against God. Worship satan, worship evil? Jesus is so fierce and says, "Get away Satan!" Of course I would do the same, especially in the face of such ridiculous requirements. Sure I can be tricked through fear and doubt, but out and out worship of the devil? No way!

But wait, what about all this great stuff in life. Jobs, money, fame, vacations, houses, cars, women, clothes, watches, sporting events, flat screen TV's, new rifles, Under Armor Hunting gear, a boat, a new snowmachine, and the other necessities of a good life. Surely I don't have to push those aside just to love and follow God right? I mean lots of good people have these things, they can't all be bad people so I can surely have them. God wants me to have them, doesn't he? If He doesn't, why not? No, I wont sell my soul to satan for them, but cmon. There has to be some middle ground here, between selling my soul, and going overboard with the whole God in heaven thing. Can't God have his "place as a private concern" and let me live my life in the day-to-day?

I mean the world is right there, in my face, day to day. Jesus doesn't want me to be some freak, that lives in a little house with 13 kids, no tv, and drives a beat up old truck right? It isn't like the devil invented jet boats and moisture wicking base layers right? God made a life to be lived and to be good, so with the option of two entities, I am going to go with the one that provides happiness now. That doesn't sound like picking the devil, does it? Does it? [CRUCIFY HIM!]

Benedict puts it this way:

"What did Jesus actually bring, if not world peace, universal prosperity, and a better world? What has He brought?
The Answer is very simple: God. He has brought God."

Woops! I guess I chose to free Barabbas. I was like Peter, said I would never deny Him, and I dropped him at the first sign of something new and shiny. Of course I didn't really want to, but it sure shows where my priorities are huh? It is funny, because I know that we should "Let the dead bury their dead" and that our task is to "proclaim the Kingdom of God." I also know that earthly things are not heavenly things - especially kingdoms. How could I be so stupid, so foolish, so .... easily... seduced and deceived. 


I need to realize that giving into these temptations don't prove God, they place Him on the Cross. God wants our hearts to be inline with His and all I have to do is follow His word. I need to be stronger, I need to be able to resist temptations. Like anything in life that can seduce or deceive me, I need to keep away from those things. I am smart enough to know I will succumb to the tempting and trickery, so I need to guard my heart by placing it in the hands of God. God needs to be primary, I have to trust that He is there and will be there, and that the second I grab control I have denied God the ability to act as He can. The way to prevent myself from being seduced and deceived is to love God so fully and intimately that I dont give myself the opportunity to be entrapped by the devils deception or seduction.

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[1]: See also, Luke 4:1-13
[2]: Deuteronomy 8:3
[3]: Psalm 91:11-12

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Laying Siege: Heaven vs. Hell

Siege of Acre

Mark Shea is a very talented apologist and theologian. I am not. Yet for some reason I decided to question a statement he made on a post last night. It was a minor point, and in the end I am probably wrong. He made the statement:

"The basic blunder of the Pharisee right down to our own time is that he forgets that it is Hell and not the Church that is under siege."

 Now, again, it was a minor point, and one used more for fanciful writing than to make his main argument. But it struck me as odd, and it seemed to be contrary to my understand of certain aspects of the Gospels. So I asked for a bit of clarification, and he gave it to me. But his clarification muddied the waters even more. You can read the back and forth below the post, and I am sure you all will be able to tell me how wrong I am, but that isn't my concern. What I started thinking about after that is who is attacking who?

···laying siege...···

We hear in the St. Michael Prayer: "...and all the evil spirits that prowl the world seeking the ruin of souls!"  To me that sounds as if Satan and his devils are coming after us. Likewise, I brought up to Shea, and in my head, the verse that guides the blog (Mt. 11:12): "...the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence..." There are other verses as well that talk about the attacks, or siege if you will, against Heaven and the Kingdom.

Shea, however, argued that verses, such as Mt. 16:18, show that Heaven attacks the "Gates of Hell" and thereby lays siege to the land of the dead. I think he is right, to some degree, again the back and forth of "right and wrong" on that one point isn't important. What is important is that we understand that there is a war going on out there. Oh I know, I shouldn't use such aggressive and abrasively-violent rhetoric. But alas, it isnt rhetoric, it is reality. 


I think Shea is partly right, that Heaven does lay siege to Hell, but I think that I am likewise right and that it is also the other way around. I think that the war is so chaotic, so messy,  so overwhelming that we lose sight of the fact that we can get caught up in the craziness of it all quite easily. I don't think that it is fair to say that one situation or the other exists at the mutual exclusivity of the other - I think both spiritual realms lay siege on one another.

This is an important point because, I think it is so easy to think that once we have declared ourselves Catholic, that everything is fine,  and that since we are on the winning team,  all we have to do is go through the motions and wait. But that isn't the case, you see, we arent supposed to just sit back and wait for the other side to give up. In fact this thinking is dangerous because, we can become complacent and misguided. When we relax, we lose sight of the overall goal and we can become easily deceived.

We must act be prepared to be attacked; even worse we must be ready to withstand the sieges that the great deceiver, Satan, throws at us. Certainly we can be assured that God is the winning leader, and that Heaven ultimately wins, but until that time, it is a battle to keep as many souls on the side of truth as possible. We must prepare ourselves for the worst - even when we expect the best. This isn't just about the good side winning, it is making sure that there are no "lost sheep" in the process.

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'Profound Depths' of Spiritual Warfare

Arn, Knight Templar | Photo

We all need a reality check. We all need moments of 'reset' where we evaluate the way we think, believe, and conduct ourselves. The past two days I have blogged about Michael Voris and NFP. I can't think of more hot-button issues than that except for maybe Chapel Veils/Mass Attire and The New Missal Translation. In doing so I have tried to be objective as possible, which as a human is of course colored with bias and opinion. Yet, I think that the spiritual battles we are in require us to seek truth and justice in anything that we do concerning the Faith and Holy Mother Church.

In over our heads...

••†••

So, when I came across a post over at Abbey-Roads, it made me realize that sometimes we are in over our heads, regardless of how sincere and objective we attempt to be. Terry was talking about Anders Breivik, the Norwegian 'terrorist', but was addressing Spiritual Warfare in general. A statement he made really struck me:

Many aspire to be knight Crusaders in the spiritual battle, and many take up arms of their own making - completely on their own - and with misplaced zeal claim to be serving Our Lady, even proclaiming that the Blessed Virgin wears 'combat boots' amongst other types of war mongering analogies. Few of us living in the world really understand the profound depths of spiritual warfare however, and the humility and fidelity it takes to persevere in and through it - often amidst much tribulation and even through defeat after defeat.

How true is this? I don't think he was posting about me, or even bloggers like me... but he could have been. I discuss things like Voris, NFP, Spiritual Warfare, the Liturgy, things of the Faith that are of a very profound and important nature on my own accord. I, of course, hope to be serving Our Lady, and often make war-like analogies. Yet, as Terry says - do I have any understanding of the profound depths of spiritual warfare? I doubt it. Even if I do, I can't possibly possess the humility and fidelity it takes to persevere through it. I just can't - I am human and I am without much spiritual direction.

A sheep in ram's clothing...

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Dall Sheep

I am a sheep who purports to be a ram. I rush into battle with fellow sheep, from behind my screen, bashing my imaginary horns into other little sheep, in a state of delusion that I am somehow combating on the fields of war. Yet, although I may be sadly mistaken that I am some great warrior I am nonetheless locked in the throws of melee with something.

Terry quotes Fr. Angelo Mary:

This battle is not of flesh and blood but of principalities and powers. Catholics need their fortitude back, but we can do without the romantic pieties of externalist chivalry.

He is right, a sword and shield makes not a knight. It isn't the external but the internal. We need fortitude, we need to battle, but it isn't about blogs and words, it is about prayer and beliefs. Our Holy Mother said Yes and was obedient, she served her Son as both a Mother and follower. Our battles must be done not to externally prove our worth or belief, but we must battle internally so that we are drawn closer to her and God. Terry talks about the idea of Mary 'wearing combat boots' - I don't want to tangent and talk about where that quote comes from, but if you read my blog you might get the sense that I would say the same thing. Maybe I would have, maybe I do or did at some point. I would be wrong regardless. Our Lady wears a Crown of 12 Stars, and she had the moon under her feet and she was clothed with the sun. Marching into battle with the wrong idea is not only misguided, but possibly fatal in the worst sort of way.

Authenticity

••†••

Fr. Angelo Mary says further:

What we need is Our Lady of Victory. We had better be careful about what crusades we call and the drums we beat and the pseudo-elites we try to create. Marian chivalry is a thing altogether different.

It is different. It isn't combat boots, it isn't ostentatious comments about war, battle, or fighting. Instead it is about humility, sacrifice, and love. Chivalry is about submission to love and beauty. Is all spiritual warfare or battle language bad or wrong? No, I dont think so or otherwise I would have to close my blog down this instant. (But what if it is?) People don't always appreciate Voris, myself, Shea, apologetics, etc... because of the strong tones we take. Sometimes they are right. Sometimes we wage and rage so hard against something that we miss the point entirely. Sometimes what is called for is a kiss and not a sword. Yet, sometimes a kiss is what deceives and kills. Hence, the profound depths of spiritual warfare. This isn't an easy thing in which to deal. This is serious and complex stuff. We cannot go it alone, and it is not for the weak of heart or spirit. I don't pretend to think I am anywhere near capable, but I have thrust myself in and now must 'swim or sink.' Therefore I must be honest with myself and my goals.

This is not to say that some of us can't play a vital role in the spiritual warfare that the Church, the Bride of Christ, faces. But, we must be authentic, we must be real. The strongest warriors, athletes, intellectuals all have one thing in common - they know and accept their limits and more importantly their weaknesses. By accepting those things that pull us away from the truth and our mission, we can compensate for those weaknesses. Hence, we must repent and reconcile our sins - The Church gives us a Sacrament and thereby grace to compensate and correct that which pulls us away from our Goal: Christ. When we are in need of Salvation we have a Sacrament - the Eucharist, to guide us on our path to Christ and Heaven. So you see, to be a knight, a warrior, a spiritual militant, we must accept our weaknesses and utilize our allies. This isn't about us, we don't do it alone, and rushing into battle waving a flag and a sword doesn't make us a spiritual warrior. Blogs, Tweets, and the such don't prove our humility or fidelity to the Church, all they do is shout out loud - all bark and no bite.

...but the Maiden...

••†••

So let us who claim to be spiritual warriors do it authentically. If we blog about it, it rings hollow unless we actually do it. Attend Mass, receive the Sacraments, pray, fast, give alms, die to self, feed the hungry, clothe the poor, spread charity, defend the Church, humble our selves, and walk the path of the Cross. A knight is brave not because he slays the dragon, but because the dragon can so easily slay him. It isn't about the sword, but the sacrifice. Chivalry is not about the armor, but the maiden. The depths of spiritual warfare are profound, we cannot do it alone and if we try... well, we shouldn't. We must trust in God, appeal to Mary, seek protection of St. Michael and humble ourselves. We shouldn't pick up a sword expecting victory, but as a sign of our commitment to die for our cause. Those that live by the sword, die by the sword - it isn't a warning but a rule.

Our Lady of Victory - Ora Pro Nobis. 

Our Lady of Victory| MaryVictrix.com

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Spiritual Warfare: A Primer

Occasionally I get an email or Tweet that says:

"Why is your blog so "Battle" themed? It isn't like we are in spiritual warfare all the time with our faith - you need to find peace. There are good things in the Church and you should focus on the good."

Now I would agree that there are good things in the Church and that we all need to find peace. What I disagree with is that we aren't locked in an ongoing battle for the safety of our souls. An example of what we face on a simple walk through life:

We get in our car to go to the store, we face the choice of what to listen to, the pop station with the songs and ads all dealing with sex, drugs, and sex or maybe something else? So as we drive and we fill our minds with something we head to the store to buy a few things. We need eggs, milk, and a few other things. When we get there, the jerk in the red car takes our spot and we are forced to park way out in east-Egypt, what a horrible thing to have to walk on such a nice day. 

As we enter the store we see a girl that looks, well... you know how she looks, and we think to ourself: "What I would..." wait? What do we think to ourselves, in our own mind where no one knows, safety right? So we continue on, thinking (or not thinking) about that girl. We get the eggs, milk, and get up to the checkout counter and see the magazines that fill our eyes and minds with so much. Again we either have thoughts or don't have thoughts about all sorts of things. As we exit the store we see that lady from Church, you know the lady the one that is just so.... or maybe we offer up a prayer for her? I don't know I guess it just depends on our... mood? that day. 

As we walk to the car we look at the electronics store and think of that new things we just want need want soooo bad! Wouldn't it be so cool? It would make us feel so something, this object would make us feel? Such an odd thought, or maybe not, maybe it is exactly what we need,  ah well that is for another day. So we get in our car and turn on the radio... to something again. On the drive home we think about the radio, the red car, the girl, the electronics store... or we don't. 

Whether we like it or not we are faced with things around every corner that force our minds and thoughts into a battle between good and evil. It isn't usually our fault that we face these things, but it is up to us how we deal with these battles. Life is a constant battle with the faith. The Devil is literally around every corner and we have to accept that and deal with it. We don't get to say, "but I dont want to..." Whether we want to or not we face him. 

So when we are faced with a decision there is usually good and bad. The radio, the red car, the girl, the things, all of this is part of the spiritual warfare that we engage in... and it is up to us how we deal with it. Luckily by the grace of God we have some pretty awesome help, but it still comes down to the that internal compass. 

Spiritual warfare is a part of everyday life, we are the Church Militant and we must remain on guard and ready... lest we get tangled in the wickedness and snares of the Devil. So let us pray, and may God rebuke him, and Do thou, o' Prince of the Heavenly Host, cast into hell...Satan.

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Bishop Vasa assumes Diocese of Santa Rosa

Bishop Vasa | Catholic.org

He in on my Fantasy Bishball team, and has been officially "called up to the bigs." Something tells me he won't take long getting warmed up and will be swinging for the fences from the "first pitch." If you have no idea what I am talking about: click here.

Is it wrong for me to be excited about this?


Oh and he requires a profession of faith for anyone involved in ministry at his diocesan parishes:

...require all “lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, cantors, and catechists to attest to the fact that they affirm and believe the basic teachings of the Church as found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.”

He adds, “This includes declaring such things as: I believe in God, the virgin birth, the existence of purgatory, the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. I also accept the Church’s moral teachings, such as the evil and sinfulness of contraception, homosexual activity, and adulterous behavior.”

Read his document relating to this requirement:

Giving Testimony to the Truth

Could you imagine??!? A boy can dream can't he?

To learn more about the Bishop:
Announcement of Bishop Vasa being named Co-Adjutor for Santa Rosa
Vasa requires profession of faith from all Ministers

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Fidelity, orthodoxy, and other felonies.

Entrance to Mt. Moriah Cemetery aka "Deadwood Mountain"

Over at the Crescat's blog, she has a saying that has stuck with me since my first days blogging:

"The time of persecution is coming. If brought up on charges of being a Catholic I hope there's enough evidence to convict me."

I guess we all have our faults.

I've been a rambler, all my life
Been a bet it all gambler
Yeah I let it all ride
Never been afraid of losin
Yeah there's been times I've lost it all
But it wont really matter
Someday when I'm gone

You can bury me on Deadwood Mountain
By my brother Wild Bill and sister Calamity Jane
Don't bring me no flowers
Just a six gun smokin
Put me eight feet down
When you bury me
Put me eight feet down
When you bury me

When your heart runs deeper
Then a ghost town gold mine
You just know your bound to find that motherload
You'll spend your last heartbeat chasing after rainbows
No there's no place you won't go
To win one more time

You can bury me on Deadwood Mountain
By my brother Wild Bill and sister Calamity Jane
Don't bring me no flowers
Just a six gun smokin
Put me eight feet down
When you bury me
Put me eight feet down
When you bury me

And cover me a little extra deep
Cause that's the only way
I'm ever gonna rest in peace

Lyrics: Deawood Mountain, by: Big & Rich

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Let the Dead bury their dead.

God is our center - not community and not our parish. Community is wonderful, if it follows God, but many do not. God wants us to follow His Son Jesus, that is why he sent him, had him beaten, killed, and resurrected - for us.

There are so many problems in so many parishes, especially in this country. Priests that ignore the Church, Bishops that are more worried about everything but what God asks of them, and faithful that follow these men whichever way the wind blows. And yet we have all we need written down for us. Books and books of doctrine, theology, and teaching - said every which way, even a book for dummies, and yet we try and fit the Faith into our own beliefs.

Some men you just can't reach...

•†•

Complaining doesn't help. Neither does full frontal attack on the "powers that be". There are those dead set on distorting and warping the faith to try and fit their desires. We can try and help those that we can through clandestine efforts, to battle the principalities and powers in a covert way, but at some point we must disengage and follow God, Jesus has told us this much. The world will consume us if we are not careful, Satan will deceive us into thinking that "breaking off" is giving up - but it isn't. In fact it might be the first step to actually trying. We cannot save those that don't want saving, but if we follow His command and go and proclaim the Kingdom of God we will attract those wanting to follow the truth and wanting to follow Him.

Like they said in Cool Hand Luke: "Some men you just can't reach..." Well there are some that would rather pull the Church down with them, than to reform and make the hard choices to follow God in the way that He asks. So then we must wash our hands of them, and work on doing what God asks. This does not mean that we should turn our back on anyone that doesn't see our way of thinking, but it means that there are those so obstinate in their thinking and beliefs that they become a millstone around our neck and the neck of others. We can struggle and try and keep them above water for a time but at some point we must let go and realize that some don't want to be saved - and simply save ourselves. We can either tend to the desires of our world or tend to the Will of God.

Let the Dead bury their Dead.

An argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest.
Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest."
Then John said in reply, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company."
Jesus said to him, "Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you."
When the days for his being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem,
and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.
When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?"
Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.
As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."
Jesus answered him, "Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head."
And to another he said, "Follow me." But he replied, "(Lord,) let me go first and bury my father."
But he answered him, "Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
And another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home."
(To him) Jesus said, "No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God."     -Luke 9:46-62

Let the Dead bury their Dead.

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