2 Maccabees, Chapter
8, Verse 12-13
When
Judas learned of Nicanor’s advance and informed his companions about the
approach of the army, 13 those who were fearful and those who lacked faith in God’s justice deserted and
got away.
Nicanor had plans to after the defeat of Judas to
enslave the Jews as a tribute to be paid to the Romans. The slave traders
follow Nicanor like vultures in wait for a meal. Judas’ troops were outnumbered
by 3 to 1 due to some of Judas’ army deserted in advance of the enemy selling
whatever property that is left but the faithful prepared for battle.[1]
Before our Blessed Lord began his public work, He went
into the desert to pray and fast for 40 days. Before He endured His passion and
death on the cross, He was in the Garden of Gethsemane consumed in prayer. The
example of Christ is clear. Repeatedly the scriptures point out that Jesus
prayed constantly. If, He who is the Son of God took prayer so seriously and
made it a necessity, then who are we to not see the importance of this powerful
connection with God. Prayer is essential to be prepared for the battles we face
in this world. It is essential in order for us to have the strength to stand up
against the forces that seek to destroy the Catholic Church and/or anything
that is ordered, true and holy. One of the most important forms of prayer for
every warrior of Christ is the ROSARY. Over and over again we hear from popes,
saints and even the Blessed Mother herself (in Church approved apparitions), to
make the ROSARY a disciplined part of our daily life.
"Get my weapon." - St. Padre Pio, speaking about
the rosary
Operation-Purity[3]
1. Situation.
Make no mistake we
are in a battle for our soul and the soul of the world.
The Secret[4]
It’s no secret that porn usage has
increased drastically over the years. Things that are considered mainstream
used to be blatantly considered porn. We also know not only is this a moral
problem but studies have shown more porn use correlates with less
grey matter in the reward circuit (dorsal striatum). Matt Fradd says,
“when you are at your best, you must prepare for your worst” in regard to
fighting pornography addiction. We must flee from sexual immorality as St. Paul
says. Leaving a porn addiction behind involves life changes in several
aspects. “The secret of change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the
old, but on building the new.” – Socrates. Integrity
Restored has a great website to helping overcome porn. They list 7
steps in recovering from porn addiction.
1. Honest, Self-knowledge and Commitment
2. Purifying your Life
3. Support and Accountability
4. Counseling
5. Spiritual Plan
6. Education and
7. Virtue. We encourage you to visit their website for more
information.
The
Chase Man or Woman gives to God true worship by dedicating to God's will their
Mind, Heart, Soul and Strength-This is to Love God above all things. This is
the Shema Israel
Modern
Men and Women are in a battle with the World, the Flesh and the Devil-We are
all Soldiers of Christ.
THE
VIRTUES OF A SOLDIER OF CHRIST[5]
Another
way to illustrate the virtues of a real man of God is by reference to a good
soldier. The relation between a man of God and a soldier will seem either
somewhat obvious or a stretch depending upon your larger views of the military
and military interventions. If you do not see the connection at this point, I
ask you to bear with me briefly, because I think its relevance will soon become
apparent.
A good soldier, especially one fit for battle,
generally has the following ten traits, among others:
1.
He is willing to give his life to protect
others.
·
Jesus willingly gave his life to save us.
He is the Good Shepherd who made good on his promise to give his life for his
sheep (John 10:11). Even in the Garden of Gethsemane, as he handed himself
over, he demanded that his disciples be let go (John 18:8).
2.
He is task-oriented, and lets his actions
speak for themselves.
·
From his earliest days, when he announced
he was “about the Father’s business” (Luke 2:49), his whole life was dedicated
to accomplishing that mission. He lived by the same principles he taught, not
to be distracted from his purpose (Luke 10:4), which not even the devil could
do by promising him all the power of the world (Matthew 4:9). He let his
actions also speak more loudly than his words. As he said once when challenged
by the Pharisees, “Even if you do not believe me, believe the works” (John
10:25, 37; 14:10). He backed up each of his discourses with miracles that
testified to his power, the greatest miracle and message of all being what he
said from the pulpits of the Cross and the empty tomb.
3.
He does his duty, even when it is
unappreciated.
·
Jesus fulfilled his mission even when one
of his apostles thought he was less valuable than 30 silver pieces, when the
rest of his hand-picked men ran away, when he was hammered to wood by those for
whom he was dying, when he was mocked by four different groups as he
agonizingly hung from the Cross, wondering all the while, “When the Son of man
comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8). He was the “grain of wheat”
that fell to the ground and died, knowing that that seed would hit hardened,
rocky, weedy soil in addition to good, but he did it anyway (John 12:24; Luke
8:5ff). Yet, at the end of it all, he cried out in triumph, “It is finished!”
(John 19:30) which was the equivalent of “mission accomplished.”
4.
He is a man of honor, who is loyal to
others and to his principles.
·
Jesus kept his dignity, even when being
tempted by the devil, tested by the hypocritical Pharisees, beaten by the
brutal guards, and mocked by thieves and passersby. He was loyal to his
disciples, never abandoning them though they abandoned him; to Israelites,
despite the many times they broke God’s covenant; to sinners, no matter what
their sin. He was knightly in his protection and care for women in need and
danger, like the woman caught in adultery, the woman at the well in Samaria,
and the woman who washed his feet with her tears in the house of Simon the
Pharisee.
5.
He is rooted in discipline and strength.
·
He called himself the “stronger man” who
would overpower the devil and divide his spoils (Luke 11:22), who could calm
even the winds and the sea (Matthew 8:27), who would repeatedly say to his
frightened followers, “Do not be afraid. It is I!” (Matthew 14:27). His
strength was shown most when out of discipline he did not use it, when tempted
in the desert or on the Cross. His power was always used not for his own
benefit but for others, to teach them the discipline that makes disciples.
6.
He may be tender and compassionate but
never soft.
·
He who was “meek and humble of heart,” who
cared compassionately for parents and widows, for the woman caught in adultery,
for the crowds who were like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 11:29; Luke
7:12; John 8:3; Mark 6:34), was also
capable of driving the money changers from the temple with a whip, calling the
Pharisees “whitewashed sepulchers” and telling forgiven sinners to “go and sin
no more” (John 2:14; Matthew 23:27; John 8:11).
7.
He sees himself as part of a unit, a band
of brothers, greater than himself.
·
Jesus came from heaven to earth to form a
family with the same Father in heaven (Matthew 12:50). To that family, the
Church, he gave his whole mission. To the twelve whom he associated most
intimately in this task, he gave his own power to turn bread and wine into his
Body and Blood and to forgive sins in his name (Luke 22:19-20; Matthew 16:19;
John 20:19-23). To the Church he gave his whole message (Matthew 28:18-20). He
said that all members of the Church were a part of him, as branches on the vine
(John 15:5).
8.
He follows the chain of command, without
considering it demeaning.
·
Jesus said simply, “I seek not my own will
but the will of him who sent me,” “I do nothing on my own authority but speak
thus as the Father taught me” and “not my will, but thine, be done” (John 5:30;
John 8:28; Luke 22:42).
9.
He is courageous, even and especially when
heroism is required.
·
Courage is doing what ought to be done in
spite of one’s fears, a virtue Jesus showed us time and again, but especially
during his agony and on Good Friday. Despite asking for the cup of suffering to
pass from him, he drank it to the dregs, sweating blood-filled perspiration,
being beaten, scourged and crucified for our sake (Matthew 26:39).
10. He sees sacrifice
as an opportunity to show his character and demonstrate love
·
“Greater love has no man than this,” he
said, “that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13) and he evinced
that love in hundreds of little ways and unforgettably through his supreme sacrifice.
The real Christian man will seek to embody these same virtues. They will help
him to become a real soldier of Christ. They will help form him to be another
Christ and train him to love others as Christ loves.
2. Mission: To love God with all your mind, heart,
soul and strength and your neighbor as yourself.
3. Execution:
a. The Chase man or woman should fast once
a week on the day of their choice (suggestion Fridays) giving their total mind,
heart, soul and strength to God. After the completing the 15 hourly prayers you
may break your fast.
b. The Chase man or woman should pray and
ask the aid of God and his angels and saints.
- Upon waking
and during the day make a prayers of Purity
V. In the Name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen.
The Prayer to St. Thomas for Purity
Chosen
lily of innocence, pure St. Thomas,
who kept chaste the robe of baptism,
and became an angel in the flesh after being girded by two angels,
we (I) implore you to commend us (me) to Jesus, the Spotless Lamb,
and to Mary, the Queen of Virgins.
Gentle protector of our (my) purity, ask them that we (I),
who wear the holy sign of your victory over the flesh,
may also share your purity,
and after imitating you on earth
may at last come to be crowned with you among the angels. Amen.
who kept chaste the robe of baptism,
and became an angel in the flesh after being girded by two angels,
we (I) implore you to commend us (me) to Jesus, the Spotless Lamb,
and to Mary, the Queen of Virgins.
Gentle protector of our (my) purity, ask them that we (I),
who wear the holy sign of your victory over the flesh,
may also share your purity,
and after imitating you on earth
may at last come to be crowned with you among the angels. Amen.
The Prayer of St. Thomas for Purity
Dear
Jesus,
I know that every perfect gift,
and especially that of chastity,
depends on the power of Your providence.
Without You a mere creature can do nothing.
Therefore, I beg You to defend by Your grace
the chastity and purity of my body and soul.
And if I have ever sensed or imagined anything
that could stain my chastity and purity,
blot it out, Supreme Lord of my powers,
that I may advance with a pure heart in Your love and service,
offering myself on the most pure altar of Your divinity
all the days of my life. Amen.
I know that every perfect gift,
and especially that of chastity,
depends on the power of Your providence.
Without You a mere creature can do nothing.
Therefore, I beg You to defend by Your grace
the chastity and purity of my body and soul.
And if I have ever sensed or imagined anything
that could stain my chastity and purity,
blot it out, Supreme Lord of my powers,
that I may advance with a pure heart in Your love and service,
offering myself on the most pure altar of Your divinity
all the days of my life. Amen.
Opening Prayer of St. Thomas for Purity
Dear
Jesus,
we (I) know that every perfect gift,
and especially that of chastity,
depends on the power of Your providence.
Without You a mere creature can do nothing.
Therefore, we (I) beg You to defend by Your grace
the chastity and purity of our (my) bodies (body) and souls (soul).
And if we (I) have ever sensed or imagined anything
that could stain our (my) chastity and purity,
blot it out, Supreme Lord of our (my) powers,
that we (I) may advance with a pure heart in Your love and service,
offering ourselves (myself) on the most pure altar of Your divinity
all the days of our (my) lives (life). Amen.
we (I) know that every perfect gift,
and especially that of chastity,
depends on the power of Your providence.
Without You a mere creature can do nothing.
Therefore, we (I) beg You to defend by Your grace
the chastity and purity of our (my) bodies (body) and souls (soul).
And if we (I) have ever sensed or imagined anything
that could stain our (my) chastity and purity,
blot it out, Supreme Lord of our (my) powers,
that we (I) may advance with a pure heart in Your love and service,
offering ourselves (myself) on the most pure altar of Your divinity
all the days of our (my) lives (life). Amen.
Petitions for Chastity with 15 Hail Mary’s:
say hourly
1.
Dear
Jesus, bless our social and cultural climate. Grant that it may be purified of
everything contrary to chastity, and that we may have the strength to resist
the pressures of prevailing ideologies. “In the world you have tribulation; but
be of good cheer, I have conquered the world” (Jn. 16:33) “In
all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Rom. 8:37) Hail Mary…
2.
Dear Jesus, bless our relationships. Grant
that they may be holy, healthy, and honorable at all times. “Having purified
your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brethren,
love one another earnestly from the heart” (1 Pet. 1:22) Hail Mary…
3.
Dear Jesus, bless our modesty in our dress
and movement. Grant that the way we dress and carry ourselves may veil the
mystery of our being, and that we may have the strength to resist the
allurements of fashion and the glamour of sin. “Do not be conformed to this
age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Rom. 12:2)Hail Mary…
4.
Dear Jesus, bless our five senses. Grant
that the things we see, the music and jokes we hear, the food we eat, what we
drink, the fragrances we smell and the encounters we have through touch may all
be pure and holy. “Seek the things that are above” (Col. 3:1) Hail Mary…
5.
Dear Jesus, bless our sensuality. Grant
that our impulses may not be captivated by base pleasures, but freed by wisdom
and inflamed for what is good. “In your struggle against sin you have not yet
resisted to the point of shedding your blood” (Heb. 12:4) Hail Mary…
6.
Dear Jesus, bless our imagination, Grant
that we may be preserved from any fantasies that defile us, that all impure
images may vanish, and that we may be protected from all the assaults of
demons. “Be renewed in the spirit of your minds…Put on the whole armor of
God” (Eph. 4:23, 6:11) Hail Mary…
7.
Dear Jesus, bless our memory. Grant that
no memories of past experiences may disturb us in any way, but that the Lord
may touch and heal us through hope for a better future. “And every one who thus
hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure” (1 Jn. 3:1) Hail Mary…
8.
Dear Jesus, bless our estimation. Grant
that we may quickly sense dangers to chastity and instinctively flee from them,
that we may never turn away from higher, more difficult, and more honorable
goods for the sake of sinful self-indulgence. “Do not lay up for yourselves
treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and
steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor
rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Mt. 6:19-20) Hail Mary…
9.
Dear Jesus, bless our affectivity. Grant
that we may love chastity and rejoice in it, that all of our emotions may
cooperate in its growth, and that no sadness, discouragement, fear, insecurity,
or loneliness may afflict us unto sexual sin. “For the grace of God has
appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires
and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the
blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus
Christ” (Titus 2:11-12) Hail Mary…
10. Dear
Jesus, bless our intellect. Grant that it may be purged of all false beliefs
and misunderstandings about human sexuality and that the good angels may flood
our intellects with thoughts that are gracious, pure, lovely, honorable, and
true. “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is
just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is
any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these
things.” (Phil. 4:8) Hail Mary…
11. Dear
Jesus, bless our will. Grant that it may never be opposed by our sensuality,
that it may never be divided or conflicted in the moment, but may hold fast to
chastity no matter how difficult it may be. “For the Son of God, Jesus
Christ…was not Yes and No; but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of
God find their Yes in him.” (2 Cor. 1:19-20) Hail Mary…
12. Dear
Jesus, bless our conscience. Grant that it may be swift to judge what is the
chaste thing to do, swifter to execute it, and wholly preserved from the
suggestions of demons. “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through
the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your
conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Heb. 9:14) Hail Mary…
13. Dear
Jesus, bless our hearts. Grant that the place where Christ abides in us with
the Father and the Spirit may become the place where we live with the Holy
Trinity in friendship. “Jesus answered him, ‘If a man loves me, he will keep my
word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home
with him.’ ” (Jn. 14:23) Hail Mary…
14. Dear
Jesus, give us the grace of self-surrender. Grant that we may hand over to God
nothing less than our whole lives. “Father, into your hands I commend my
spirit” (Lk. 23:46) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 5:3) Hail Mary…
15. Dear
Jesus, give us Your love. “In this is love, not that we loved God but that He
loved us and sent His Son to be the expiation for our sins.” (1 Jn. 4:10) “But
God shows His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for
us” (Rom. 5:8) Hail Mary…
Closing Prayer
Heavenly
King, Consoler, Spirit of Truth, You who are everywhere present and fill all
things, Treasury of all that is good, Choirmaster of Life, Come, dwell within
us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls O Good One. Amen
V. In
the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen.
R. Amen.
“But you will
receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my
witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the
earth.”-Acts 1:8
Daily Devotions
[1]The
Collegeville Bible Commentary, 1986.
[3]
http://www.icemanforchrist.org/p/the-way-of-purity.html
[5]
http://www.kofc.org/un/en/resources/cis/cis322.pdf
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