Jeremiah, Chapter 17, Verse 7-8
7 Blessed are those who trust in the LORD; the LORD will be their
trust. 8 They
are like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the
stream: It does not fear heat when it
comes, its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it shows no distress, but
still produces fruit.
I live in Arizona where hardly anything
grows in the desert. However, along a stream or a creek, trees do put their
roots into the bed of the water and create a mini paradise with flowers, deer
and even provides sustenance even during the hottest days. Likewise we should
sink our roots into our Lord through our church and receive refreshment through
frequent reception of the sacraments of Confession and the Eucharist; along
with spiritual reading and time alone with our Lord. In this way we are
nourished and prepared for the work our Lord has given us.
“Blessed are the
poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Mt. 5:3)
Though thus
says the Lord for those who neither hope nor know Him and does not fear God: “Cursed is the man who trusts in human
beings, who makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He
is like a barren bush in the wasteland that enjoys no change of season, but
stands in lava beds in the wilderness, a land, salty and uninhabited.”
(Jer. 17:5-6)
Glorious Saint Michael, Prince of the heavenly hosts, who stands always ready to give assistance to the people of God; who fought with the dragon, the old serpent, and cast him out of heaven, and now valiantly defends the Church of God that the gates of hell may never prevail against her, I earnestly entreat you to assist me also, in the painful and dangerous conflict which I sustain against the same formidable foe. Be with me, O mighty Prince! That I may courageously fight and vanquish that proud spirit, whom you, by the Divine Power, gloriously overthrew, and whom our powerful King, Jesus Christ, has, in our nature, completely overcome; so having triumphed over the enemy of my salvation, I may with you and the holy angels, praise the clemency of God who, having refused mercy to the rebellious angels after their fall, has granted repentance and forgiveness to fallen man. Amen.
Preparing for Battle[2] Know Your Armor
Prayer and fasting, worship and adoration, Scripture and sacraments and sacramentals all provide the weapons of our spiritual warfare. With them we go on the offensive against the Evil One. But the virtues provide our defensive armor. St. Paul sums it up: “Put on, therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, patience. Bear with one another, if anyone has a grievance against any other; even as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you must forgive. But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection” (Col 3: 12– 14). Only with such armor will we be fully covered and protected from the Evil One’s attacks.
·
The Shield of Faith. St. Paul reminds us that faith must be firmly grasped and held up as a
barrier between ourselves and the Enemy.
·
The Helmet of Hope. It is essential for protecting
the mind. If we have no hope of winning why fight? We must never take off the helmet of hope or we will be overcome
before we start.
·
The Breastplate of Love. The breastplate protects our
heart-keeping it for God alone. Love Him with all your heart, soul, and mind;
and be rightly related to others is to love them as we love ourselves (see Mt
22: 36– 40).
·
Cincture of Truth. Being truthful with God,
yourself, and others is a spiritual form of ballistic groin protection. Nothing
can hurt like the truth. We must not
let the intimate parts of our inner selves be led astray by blinding passion;
and the Devil’s enticement. We must
seek the truth and live the truth. We must
not seek to gratify the desires of the flesh, but instead we must “put on the Lord Jesus Christ,”
imitating the virtues displayed in His character.
·
Feet shod in Peace. Wherever we go, we must be prepared to bring the good news
of salvation, of peace with God, to all we may encounter. The Devil will try to
turn us back. He’ll scatter across our path, like so many rocks and thorns, a
wagonload of doubts, accusations of our inadequacy, and fear of conflict and rejection. But if we’ve put on the “boots” of
readiness— if we’ve prepared ourselves, through faithful study and prayer, to
share the gospel— then we’ll walk safely over these obstacles, crushing them as
we go.
·
The Mantle of Humility. Humility is the essential virtue
that provides the soil in which all the other virtues grow. Humility keeps us
from dangerous “high places” where the Enemy could tempt us to pride and
vainglory.
Daily Devotions
·
Manhood of
the Master-Day 2 week 7
·
Do
40 min. in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
·
Please
pray for me and this ministry
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