This blog is based on references in the Bible to fear. God wills that we “BE NOT AFRAID”. Many theologians state that the eighth deadly sin is fear. It is fear and its natural animal reaction to fight or flight that is the root cause of our failings to create a Kingdom of God on earth. By “the power of the Holy Spirit” we can be witnesses and “communicators” of a new and redeemed humanity “even to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:7 8). This blog is dedicated to Mary the Mother of God.
Saturday, September 5th, 2015
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Deuteronomy, Chapter 3, Verse 22
Do not fear them, for it is the LORD, your God,
who will fight for you.
What are the demons in your life? Do not
fear them, for it is the Lord who fights for you! The Lord will send His angels
around those who fear Him. These heavenly spirits shield us from danger and
assist us in both our spiritual and temporal needs. Angels instruct us and
mentor us in the virtues. Ask your guardian angel to be your spiritual director
and be open to change. It is also a good practice to ask for angelic help
throughout our day. There are nine choirs of angels and three hierarchies three
within three. Remember to ask their
assistance about every two hours throughout your day
Upon rising (7 am) address the first
choir of angels, the Seraphim. Their chief characteristic is great and ardent
love. They were made for one thing alone-----to love the God of Love. Without
ceasing they honor, praise, and love the most Blessed Trinity-----they can do
nothing else-----this is their happiness. Practice upon rising to try to become
a Seraph of love: let this be your habitual disposition. Love and do what God
wills. Ask this great gift feverently. Aspiration: "Oh! Blessed Seraphim! Make
us love." Say the Shema Yisrael.
At the second hour (9 am) of the day
address the second choir is the Cherubim who continually are employed in
contemplating the beauty and perfections of God and will share with us their
admirable wisdom, if we ask them, and show ourselves in earnest, by the
practice of supplication and prayer. Cherubim are full of zeal for the glory of
God and stand ready at all times to defend His honor. Cherubim should be
invoked when one is troubled with doubts against faith those who experience temptations
against holy purity. Practice: Spend time
before praying in great silence and recollection; endeavor to "know God,
and Him Whom He has sent, Jesus Christ." Aspiration: "Blessed
Cherubim! Teach us to pray."
At the fourth hour (11 am) of the day
address the third choir is the choir of Thrones. They
are called Angels of Peace; calm, tranquility, and stability. Ask them for that
peace of soul which is the fruit of a good conscience. Invoke their aid for
such as are prone to hatred, passion and impatience; and after their example,
practice being meek, calm, and peaceful with all. Practice: Dispose yourself to
great sweetness and patience. Aspiration: "O Holy Thrones! Obtain that
Divine peace, which surpasses all understanding, may keep our hearts and minds
in Jesus Christ, Our Lord."
At the sixth hour (1 pm) of the day address
the fourth choir of angels which is the
choir of Dominations. They are consumed by their yearning for the
interests of God: their principal office is to manifest His will. We should
also beg of God to manifest His will to us by these Blessed
"Intelligences" and then take care to fulfill it scrupulously, as
being the shortest way to perfection and sanctity. We should ask these Angels to
help us to spread God's kingdom upon earth, for the conversion of heretics and
infidels, and for the return of lukewarm and fallen away Catholics to the
practice of the faith. Practice: Give practical proof of your zeal for the
glory of God; do something for His reign in souls, as instructing the ignorant.
Aspiration: "Holy Dominations! Animate us with thy zeal."
At the eighth hour (3 pm) of the day
address the fifth choir of angels which is the
choir of Principalities. The Principalities watch over Empires, Provinces, and
Dioceses. Purity of intention is the virtue ascribed to them, for in their high
functions they never seek but the honor and interest of God alone. Let us
imitate them. It is the intention which stamps the action with merit or
demerit. Practice: In all you do and say, seek the greater glory of God. Aspiration: "O Holy Spirits! May we, like
thee, seek God, for God alone." Now would be a good time to also pray a
divine mercy prayer .
At the 10th hour (5 pm) of the day address the sixth choir of angels the Powers. These
Angels have unlimited mastery over the wicked Spirits; they are endowed with
great intelligence and are able to discover their schemes and plans for our
destruction. Their power is so amazing that one alone of them would be able to
destroy the entire infernal host. It is well to invoke them in temptation: but
to merit their assistance we must take care to avoid the occasions of sin. Practice:
Resist the attacks of vice and passion; frequently make acts of diffidence in self
and confidence in God; combat your evil inclinations. Aspiration: "Lord! Send
Thy Angels to assist us."
At
the 12th hour (7 pm) of the day address the seventh choir of angels the Virtues.
Energy and strength are attributed to the Virtues. They have dominion over the
elements; all nature is subjected to their control. Hence they can raise or
appease the tempest. We may profitably invoke them in unforeseen accidents,
sickness, etc. We may also have recourse to them for that strength necessary to
lead a penitential life, and root out the inclinations of depraved nature. All persons
inclined to the contemplative life should call on this choir of Angels for
help, for good thoughts alone do not make holy, one needs also strength to
persevere and to accomplish this great task. Practice: (After work) Visit the Blessed Sacrament to
obtain grace to overcome your evil dispositions. Aspiration: "Holy Virtues! Strengthen and
fortify us."
At
the 14th hour (9 pm) of the day address the eighth choir of angels the
Archangels. The Archangels are distinguished from the Angels by the greater
importance of their functions: the Guardians of those invested with authority
in the Church and State and are remarkable for their love and care of men. Let us
imitate them, doing our neighbor all the good we can and invoking in his behalf
these Blessed Spirits. Members of this choir are the holy spirits who stand
before the throne of God, ever ready to announce His commands. St. Michael is
the warrior leader of God’s angels. St. Gabriel is the special messenger of The
Holy Spirit. St. Raphael is the angel of Joy. Practice-----Two Acts of Charity,
with great affection. Aspiration: "Holy Archangels! Pray for us, and for
our priests."
At the 16th hour (11 pm) of the day
address the Ninth choir of the angels. They are charged with the execution of
the Divine ordinances, and are appointed the Guardians of men. Humility is the
virtue particularly ascribed to them-----for though the least among the Choirs,
yet they see their celestial companions without desiring their greater, more
excellent endowments. The Guardian Angels exercise continual watchfulness over
the souls committed to their care. Their number is exceedingly great, and it is
not necessary when an Angel has accompanied his charge into Heaven, that he be
again assigned to a soul in any future generation. Our Guardian, who is our
companion in life, will also be forever at our side in Heaven. The joy of these
Angels is immeasurably increased when souls entrusted to their care enter
Heaven. The Guardian Angels of the lost souls are not deprived of their share
of joy. God in His justice increases also theirs with the others, and then
assigns them to the special guard of the Queen of Angels, where they with great
joy praise the Infinite Justice of God. Let us, like the humble Guardian
Angels, love the lowest place, especially when placed therein by Divine
Providence, and to behold with joy the preference given to others. Practice: Three
Acts of Humility, interior and exterior. Aspiration: "Who is like God!"
Today is my oldest son's 39th birthday may all the nine choirs of angels be at his side to assist him. His name means the Bearer of Christ with the strength of God.
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