Start February 16 for Feast of St. Joseph March 19
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
on
Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps
2 Maccabees, Chapter
8, Verse 16
Maccabeus
assembled his forces, six thousand strong, and exhorted them not to be
panic-stricken before the enemy, nor to fear
the very large number of Gentiles unjustly attacking them, but to fight nobly.
Judas sums up their theological position before the
battle succinctly: Our opponents trust in weapons and strategy, whereas we
simply trust in an all-powerful God.[1]
Fight or die[2] One of the greatest
temptations in the Catholic life is that of complacency. We go through the
motions, attending Mass on Sunday and maybe going to a parish program or two,
but the Faith never really penetrates
deep into our souls. It remains a superficial reality; just another thing to
do in our comfortable, civilized lives. We love to complain about the
problems in the Church—rending our garments over this bad bishop or this
corrupt priest. We ask: Where are the saints of the modern Church?
Where are the holy men and women who can be shining lights in this dark world?
We lament the state of things, never realizing that it is that God has called
us to be saints. It is we who must
strive for sanctity as if our lives depended on it—because they do.
Fight for the Crown of Eternal Life
Jesus Christ is calling
you and me to rise above satisfaction and mediocrity and to pursue
greatness. He does not want us to muddle through the Christian life. He wants
us to fight nobly for the crown of eternal life. “Fight your way in at the
narrow door,” he tells us, “There are many who will try and will not be able to
enter.” Now, realize that this spiritual combat does not necessarily mean
grandiose outward actions. Most of us are not meant to found a religious
order or to convert a far flung nation. The saints constantly tell us that
holiness is found in sanctifying our everyday actions, however small they may
be. Even so the point is, no one coasts into heaven effortlessly. It doesn’t
work that way. We have a powerful enemy who works day and night to destroy us.
Every day we encounter temptations internal and external that, if consented to,
will destroy our souls. Men, a survey has
revealed that 50%—that is 1 in 2—Christian men are addicted to pornography. If
you think I am exaggerating the spiritual dangers, you are wrong. There is
a war for your soul, and if you are not watchful, if you are not
vigilant, if you are not intensely focused on the pursuit of
holiness, you will fall away.
Choose Today Who You Will Serve
Holiness begins with a
choice: God or the world. Whom will you serve? You can’t have it both ways. As
with any war, there is no middle ground. You either fight or die. “You cannot
please both God and the world at the same time,” says St. John Vianney, “They
are utterly opposed to each other in their thoughts, their desires, and their
actions.” In other words, you can’t pursue the world’s values and ideals while
calling yourself a Christian and a Catholic. You can’t hold on to pet sins,
abusing God’s mercy by asking his forgiveness, all the while having no real
intention to change.
Take up Your Cross
Christ is calling you to
take up your Cross and follow him. Doing so will bring you more happiness and
more joy than you can possibly imagine. But it will also cost you the comfort
and ease the world promises. “You are like crusaders united to fight against
the world,” said St. Louis de Montfort, “not like Religious who retreat from
the world; lest they be overcome, but like brave and valiant warriors on the
battlefield, who refuse to retreat or even yield an inch. Be brave and fight
courageously.” Men, if you’ve been mediocre, if you’ve been comfortably
complacent, I challenge you today to follow Christ passionately, with all that
you are and have. Clothe yourselves in the armor of God and take up the weapons
of prayer and penance, calling on the powerful intercession of Our Lady, Help
of Christians. Resolve in your heart to do battle, for eternal life, and
then “Be brave and fight courageously.” Your soul depends on it.
Saint
Michael the Archangel was the protector of Israel and is also traditionally
known as “The Medicine of God.” Saint Michael as the military captain of the
church of God has a great interest in the happenings of his people, their
calamities and he does not overlook their calls for his aid. Let us therefore
have recourse to him in times of sickness. He will most certainly come to our
assistance bringing the healing graces of the Redeeming Blood. Yet, if it is
the will of the father that we depart from this world Saint Michael does not
abandon us for he is especially our advocate at our hour of death and assists
at every deathbed for it is part of his office to receive the souls of the
elect on their quitting the flesh. When the last hour of our earthly career
draws near we are confronted by that awful moment when our soul must leave the
body which it has loved so much, to pass through the narrow portal of death,
satanic hosts like raving lions will make a last attack upon our souls. But we
need not fear (but be at peace) if during life we have had devotion to the
Precious Blood and have been faithful in venerating St. Michael and imploring
his aid. He will cover us with his strong shield and lead us safely through the
midst of our enemies.
Comments
Post a Comment