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.
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NINE-MONTH NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
Start March 12 to December 12
Thursday, August 5, 2021
Let Freedom Ring: Freedom from Secularism
My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, At a word from You the devil and his minions flee in terror. You are the source of all truth. You are the source of all strength. By the power of your Cross and Resurrection, we beseech You, O Lord To extend Your saving arm and to send Your holy angels To defend us as we do battle with Satan and his demonic forces. Exorcise, we pray, that which oppresses Your Bride, The Church, So that within ourselves, our families, our parishes, our dioceses, and our nation We may turn fully back to You in all fidelity and trust. Lord, we know if You will it, it will be done. Give us the perseverance for this mission, we pray. Amen
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception...pray for us St. Joseph...pray for us St. Michael the Archangel...pray for us (the patron of your parish )... pray for us (your confirmation saint)...pray for us
"Freedom from Secularism" by Fr. James Altman
Dear family, I'm not quite sure whether it was Fr. Heilman or Fr. Peckman who "assigned" the topics - but I am sure it was guided by the Holy Spirit! Consequently, I was blessed to have secularism among my topics. If you ever want to "push my buttons," just bring it up! So we are clear on what button is getting pushed, the term "secularism" was first used by the British writer George Holyoake in 1851. He invented the term secularism to describe his views of promoting a social order separate from religion - like that ever would be a good idea - without actively dismissing or criticizing religious belief.
Obviously, given its date of creation, secularism, in word and in deed, was not a principle stated in the Constitution. For the record, what the Constitution does state in the Establishment Clause is, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." The unanimous understanding of this clause had to do solely with preventing the national government from creating - like Henry VIII - a religion enforceable through government police power. This truth is confirmed by the prohibition against prohibiting "the free exercise thereof." Understand, dear family, that this applied only to the federal government, while states had the right to establish a particular religion. Few people know and understand that the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which clearly prohibits the creation of a national church, did not eliminate established churches in those states where they still existed. Indeed, it would have encountered opposition in those states if it had sought to do so.
Too many people spout off a definition of secularism as "the principle of the separation of church and state." Typically, those same people - like the godless "Freedom from Religion" fascists in Madison, Wisconsin - twist those words around to make it something it is not. They embody the words of John Lennon's song, "Imagine." A doctoral dissertation could not cover all the many problems with that pagan paean, but let it suffice to say that when Lennon wrote "Imagine no possessions," he was living in a multi-million-dollar mansion, and the music video finds him playing his ridiculously expensive white Steinway piano that George Michael bought at auction for over two million dollars. Lennon wrote that it's easy if we try to imagine no religion, even as he lived in a time when godless communists slaughtered a hundred million of their own citizens.
As President Reagan put it so perfectly: "The Constitution was never meant to prevent people from praying; it's declared purpose was to protect their freedom to pray." Yet the "Freedom from Religion" crowd throw a tantrum over such things as taxpayers' children praying in taxpayer funded schools. Leftists get away with throwing their tantrums because too many people do not know the Constitution nor its historical precedents. Dear family, just wrap your minds around the fact that taxpayers' children praying in taxpayer funded schools was, in fact, Constitutional for roughly the first 175 years of our Country. Then realize that the ramifications of the rapid shift from this truth to the big lie of "Freedom from Religion" has resulted in the downfall of our culture and society. As a brilliant meme put it so well, "Bibles aren't allowed in schools anymore but are encouraged in prisons. If kids were allowed to read it at school, they might not end up in prison."
How do we sin regarding secularism? Simple. We sin every time we support, in word or deed, the big lie of "separation of church and state" according to the secularist model. We sin through any kind of voting for godless agendas. We also commit sins of omission when we fail to make a reasonable effort to be aware of, and fight against, these dark forces which are prevailing in our times. The many, versus the few, sin constantly in their ignorant and uninformed support - even cowardly support - for the godless left-wing agenda. This would include disregarding the unchanged and unchangeable truth regarding the five non-negotiables of Catholic morality, including abortion and same-sex unions.
What are we to do in a culture that literally assaults us (in words and in deeds) just for being Catholic and standing up for the unchanged and unchangeable truth? Firstly, recognize that we cannot be surprised by the hatred of the godless world. Jesus warned us: "If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first ... If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you ... And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me" (John 15:18-21). No matter what hatred comes our way, we must stay attached to Jesus, who is the True Vine, lest we wither away. And we know what happens to those who choose to not stay attached to the vine: "Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned" (John 15:6).
Dear family, buying into the big lie of secularism, and failure to intentionally let God's grace and wisdom openly direct and guide our public life, is a grave sin. You don't have to take my word for it. Jesus said, "Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father" (Matthew 10:32-33). We also know that standing up for our faith will alienate us from the godless because Jesus said that too: "Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three ...." (Luke 12:51-52).
Dear family, the left bludgeons anyone who brings faith into the public square, even priests, with the big lie of "separation of church and state." But prior to Lyndon Johnson's amendment and threat of taxation, faithful shepherds spoke up and spoke out against secular sin. Now, most everyone is a big coward, trembling in fear about being taxed. Please, dear family, honestly ask and answer two simple questions: Do we think the Father of Jesus Christ thinks it's a good idea that we cower in a corner because of oppressive secularism? Do we think Our Father thinks we should not openly bring Him into the public square? The answers are obvious. So are the consequences for how we answer those questions.
When Jesus said, "give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and give to God what is God's," the corollary is "don't give to Caesar what belongs to God." As it was, as it is, as it always will be: God first, last and always. So, let us always acknowledge God before men, and let us always openly apply our lives of faith in the public square.
Prayer of Reparation
My Lord and my God, we have allowed the temptation of the devil to move our hearts toward secularism. Countless times we have cowered to the prevailing leftist sentiment to imagine no religion, not just in public life, but even in private life. We are so immersed in temporal pleasures that we are blinded to our purpose in life, which is to know, love and serve God in this world so we can be with Him in the next. We intentionally justify leaving God out of our public lives because, after all, "freedom from religion" and their ilk have successfully inculcated us with the big lie of their false interpretation of the Constitution's Establishment Clause and insistence upon "separation of church and state." We fail to attribute the current chaos and anarchy of our times to the seeds of godlessness sown way back in the sixties when prayer was taken out of our taxpayer-funded schools. Ever since we have wittingly or unwittingly joined the side of the godless through our open or tacit acceptance of the big lie of secularism. We turn to You Lord, in our weakness, and beg Your forgiveness for our own secular attitudes - especially for our cowardice about speaking up and speaking out in the public square. We love You Lord, and we beg for the wisdom and strength to love You more. We know Lord, if You will it, it will be done. Trusting in You, we offer our prayer to You who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
Prayer of Exorcism
Lord God of heaven and earth, in Your power and goodness, You created all things. You set a path for us to walk on and a way to an eternal relationship. By the strength of Your arm and Word of Your mouth, cast from Your Holy Church every fearful deceit of the devil. Drive from us manifestations of the demonic that oppress us and beckon us to secularism. Still the lying tongue of the devil and his forces so that we may act freely and faithfully to Your will. Send Your holy angels to cast out all influence that the demonic entities in charge of secularism have planted in Your Church. Free us, our families, our parish, our diocese, and our country from all trickery and deceit perpetrated by the devil and his hellish legions. Trusting in Your goodness Lord, we know if You will it, it will be done, in unity with Your Son and the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen.
Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son of the Eternal Father, save us. Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word of God, save us. Blood of Christ, of the New and Eternal Testament, etc. Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in the Agony, Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging, Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns, Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross, Blood of Christ, price of our salvation, Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness, Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls, Blood of Christ, stream of mercy, Blood of Christ, victor over demons, Blood of Christ, courage of martyrs, Blood of Christ, strength of confessors, Blood of Christ, bringing forth virgins, Blood of Christ, help of those in peril, Blood of Christ, relief of the burdened, Blood of Christ, solace in sorrow, Blood of Christ, hope of the penitent, Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying, Blood of Christ, peace and tenderness of hearts, Blood of Christ, pledge of Eternal Life, Blood of Christ, freeing souls from purgatory, Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor,
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
V. Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, in Thy Blood. R. And made us, for our God, a kingdom.
Let us pray: Almighty and eternal God, Thou hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world and willed to be appeased by his blood. Grant, we beg of Thee, that we may worthily adore this price of our salvation and through its power be safeguarded from the evils of the present life so that we may rejoice in its fruits forever in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Daily Checklist
__ Prayer for Freedom from the Devil __ Daily reflection and prayers __ Litany of the day __ Pray a Rosary __ Divine Mercy Chaplet __ Spiritual or corporal work of mercy __ Fast/abstain (according to level) __ Exercise (according to level/ability) __ Refrain from conventional media (only 1 hr. of social) __ Examination of conscience (confession 1x this week)
Ester
has determined here that she must overcome fear and risk death in order to save
her people. To enter the Kings Throne room without, being called by him, was a
taboo of the Persian court and to violate it carried an immediate sentence of
death. Ester determined that to save her people she must appear to the King and
risk death for her people.
Queen Esther is in anguish
because Haman, the wicked aide has convinced the King to issue an order to kill
all the Jews in his Empire. Haman did this because Mordecai, Esther’s cousin
who raised her as a daughter, would not bow down and prostrate himself as Haman
passed as the King had ordered. The date set for destruction was the 13th of
the month of Adar which corresponds to our month of February. It is also the
very day that the Maccabees liberated Israel after a four-year battle with the
Seleucid Empire. Sister Lucia to whom Our Lady of Fatima
appeared died on this date. Our Lady of Fatima’s first appearance to the three
shepherd children was May 13, 1917. Her last appearance was October 13,1917.
On May 13, 1981, Pope John Paul II survived an assassination attempt. He
credits Our Lady of Fatima with saving his life.
Queen Esther clothed
herself in sackcloth and ashes. She fasted from food and water for three
days and asks the Jews to do the same. After the three days, she
approached the King without being summoned. She did this even though she
was aware that the King could have sentenced her to death for doing so. When
the Queen enters into the King’s presence, he extends his scepter thus sparing
her life. He was so impressed by her courage and beauty that he promised her up
to half of his kingdom. Instead, she invites him to two banquets and invites
Haman – the man responsible for the order of the genocide of her people. At the
second banquet she pleads for her life and the life of her people. The
King is horrified by what Haman has done and orders him to be hung on the same
gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Persian law did not permit the King
to reverse his decree, but he issued another decree that the Jews could defend
themselves. Instead of being destroyed, the Jewish people were saved and
defeated their enemies in battle. The Jews celebrate this triumph each year as
their Feast of Purim. It doesn’t always fall on the same day. In
2013, the Feast falls on February 24th.
Many see Queen Esther as a
type of Mary and the Book of Esther as a type of the Apocalypse. A figure type
is a person, place, thing or event foreshadowing a New Testament archetype (a
perfect model or type). The New Testament archetype is always greater than its
Old Testament figure type. For example, Jonah’s time in the belly of the great
fish is a type of Jesus in the tomb. Moses is a type of Jesus. The Jewish
people were saved through the intercession of Queen Esther, so Mary intercedes
for her people today. The Apocalypse foretells a great persecution of
Christians at the end of time, but the Book of Revelation speak about the Ark
of the Covenant appearing in the sky and the Woman crushing the head of the dragon.
(Revelation 12) When the Blessed Mother appeared at Fatima, she wore the Star
of Esther. In the Old Testament of the Hebrew text, her name was Hádássah -
meaning myrtle, a white, five-pointed, star-shaped flower. In the Hebrew text,
her name was Hádássah - meaning myrtle, a white, five-pointed, star-shaped
flower.
Like Esther, Mary came at
Fatima to spare her children from destruction. She asked people to repent of
sin, pray the rosary, go to confession, and receive the Eucharist worthily. On
July 13, 1917, Our Lady said to the child Lucia: “…I shall come to ask for the
consecration of Russia to My Immaculate Heart, and the Communion of Reparation
on the First Saturdays. If my requests are heeded, Russia will be converted and
there will be peace; if not, she will spread her errors throughout the world,
causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred, the
Holy Father will have much to suffer, and various nations will be annihilated.
... In the end, My Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will
consecrate Russia to me, and she will be converted, and an era of peace will be
granted to the world.” Had her requests been heeded the world would have been
spared the horrors of World War II in which over 50 million people died and countless
other wars and persecutions provoked by Communists throughout the world. In
1920, Russia was also the first country to legalize abortion. In 1913,
Communist leader Vladimir Lenin demanded “the unconditional annulment of all
laws against abortions or against the distribution of medical literature on
contraceptive measures.” Great evils threaten our world. Sin increases. So many
hearts are hardened. We need to call on Our Lady in prayer. Heed her
requests at Fatima and Lourdes. Do penance, do the Five First Saturday devotion
by going to confession, receiving the Eucharist, praying the rosary and
meditating 15 minutes on the mysteries for five first Saturdays of the month in
a row. Queen Esther asked her people to do pray and do penance with her.
We must listen to the Blessed Mother today and ask her to intercede with her
Son that he might spare us, our nation and our world.
Auxilium Christianorum - Praying for Persecuted Priests Monday, May 24 is the Feast of Mary Mother of the Church. It is also the Feast of Mary Help of Christians (Auxilium Christianorum). Please consider joining this Auxilium Christianorum family to pray daily for our holy and courageous persecuted priests. The Church teaches us that it is divided into the Church Triumphant (which includes the members of the Church in heaven), the Church Suffering (this includes the members of the Church in purgatory), and the Church Militant (this refers to those members of the Church who are alive in this world). Because we are part of the Church Militant, we are in a spiritual warfare and this spiritual warfare requires that we recognize, as Saint Paul teaches us "For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places." ( Ephesians 6:12 ) The me
Switch of Manliness Legacy OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA Acts, Chapter 10, verse 1-4 1 Now in Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Cohort called the Italica, 2 devout and God-fearing along with his whole household, who used to give alms generously to the Jewish people and pray to God constantly. 3 One afternoon about three o’clock, he saw plainly in a vision an angel of God come into him and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4 He looked intently at him and seized with FEAR , said, “What is it, sir?” He said to him, “Your prayers and almsgiving have ascended as a memorial offering before God. Cornelius’ Cohort was an auxiliary unit of archers, men who are expert at hitting a mark or target. Sin is the act of violating God's will. Sin can also be viewed as anything that violates the ideal relationship between an individual and God, or as any diversion from the ideal order for human living. To sin has been defined as "to miss the mark" to have a harden
Monday Night at the Movies Leo McCarey, Make Way for Tomorrow, 1947. Make Way for Tomorrow is a 1937 American drama film directed by Leo McCarey . The plot concerns an elderly couple (played by Victor Moore and Beulah Bondi ) who are forced to separate when they lose their house and none of their five children will take both parents. FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION Get to Mass as today is a Solemnity If you can't make it to Mass spend time with the Lord Luke, Chapter 1, verse 30: 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be AFRAID , Mary, for you have found favor with God. Mary had no fear of the world or man, yet, when the angel appeared she was immersed in holy fear. Let us follow Mary’s example and bravely face the day saying YES to God. Mary Garden [1] The joy over the appearance of new plants and flowers in spring prompted man to attribute to them a special power of protection and healing. People planted special spring flower gardens; they brought branches of ear
Monday Night at the Movies Luis Bunuel, Simon of the Desert, 1965 SAINT MOTHER THEODORE GUERIN Hebrews, Chapter 12, Verse 21 Indeed, so FEARFUL was the spectacle that Moses said, “I am terrified and trembling.” Moses was the heir apparent to the throne of Egypt in his youth. As a member of the Egyptian court, he would have seen many fearful spectacles yet imagine what it must have been like to have been a witness of God descending on Mount Sinai to give the law. He was terrified and trembling. Again, now imagine if Moses was somehow resurrected and was able to walk into an ordinary catholic church that has a very modest Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Do you think his reaction would be any different than the first time he encountered the living God? Be Still and Know that I am God [1] On the evening of October 1995, John Paul II was scheduled to greet the seminarians at Saint Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore. It had been a very full day that began with a Mass at Oriole Park in Camden Y
Saints, Feast, Family - Traditions passed down with Cooking, Crafting, & Caring - April 27 Saint of the day: Saint Zita Patron Saint of Domestic Workers, Maids, Servants Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter Job, Chapter 21, Verse 9 Their homes are safe, without FEAR , and the rod of God is not upon them. With the current political climate of today-North Korea, Kenya, Venezuela, Sanctuary Cities, Gangs etc.; we may not be feeling safe in our homes. We may feel God’s rod is upon us. Yet, we learn that God does not wish to destroy us but bring about the best in us. The wages of sin are usually destruction, but God is mercy. As in the parable of the wheat and tares God allows the weeds to grow with the wheat. We often ask with Job, “Why do the wicked keep on living, grow old, become mighty in power? Mercy! Zophar & His Asps [1] · Zophar decides to beat a dead horse. · Not literally. · He tells Job that the wicked get what they
Second Sunday after Easter DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY John, Chapter 20, Verse 19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for FEAR of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Life begins at the end of our comfort zone. Do you live in fear of failure or are you locking the doors of your heart to new opportunities? When you let in the spirit of Christ you open yourself to empowerment. The Law of Empowerment [1] The job of leadership is to lead with the intent to work yourself out of a job. Imagine what would happen if our politicos did this! This is what Jesus did. After Christ gave His Peace to the apostles, he breathed on them to receive the power of the Holy Spirit and thus empowered them to live the supernatural life. We in turn by the power of the successors of the apostles are heirs to this. Christ wants us to be change agents to bring about the Kingdom. How can we begin? W
Easter Tuesday Autism Psalm 33, verse 18-19 18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon those who FEAR him, upon those who count on his mercy, 19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive through famine. You cannot receive if you do not ask. Let us ask for God’s mercy and count on it, to deliver our soul from death and keep us alive through this earthly famine for ourselves and others. In fact, one pious work we could do this week is a Novena to the Divine Mercy. In the novena Christ asks us to pray each day for certain groups of people. All Sinners Priests and Religious Devout Souls Unbelievers Heretics Children Saints Those in purgatory And the Lukewarm A good time to pray the novena is the hour of Christ’s death. “At three o’clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony. This is the hour of great mercy…” Tod
Saints, Feast, Family - Traditions passed down with Cooking, Crafting, & Caring - April 12 Saint of the day: Saint Teresa of Los Andes Patron Saint Against disease, Against illness, Ill people, Young people, Santiago, Chile, Los Andes, Chile Friday of the Second Week of Easter 2 Maccabees, Chapter 15, Verse 18 They were not so much concerned about wives and children, or family and relations; their first and foremost FEAR was for the consecrated sanctuary. Today’s meditation: Where is God’s consecrated Sanctuary? I asked Bing AI: Is it the in the body of a holy catholic soul God’s consecrated Sanctuary? According to the Catholic faith, the human body is not just a material object, but a living being that is animated by a spiritual soul. The soul is the principle of human consciousness and freedom, and it is created by God in his image. The soul and the body are so intimately united that they form one unique human nature. The soul is also the “
Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just. 2 Maccabees, Chapter 14, Verse 22 Judas had posted armed men in readiness at strategic points for FEAR that the enemy might suddenly commit some treachery. But the conference was held in the proper way. During our last episode we see that our Hero Judas, with the help of the All Seeing Almighty vanquishes the enemy. Judas wants peace and returns home but the enemy the devil never sleeps, and snip snap the Syrians invade again. This time under the leadership of a gangster called Nicanor; a crafty little snake who wants a peace treaty. In this verse we see Judas is being ready and prepared for any trouble; and his fear is justified. Making and Breaking Treaties [1] "When the Jews heard of Nicanor's coming, and that the Gentiles were rallying to him, they sprinkled themselves with earth and prayed to Him Who established
Saints, Feast, Family - Traditions passed down with Cooking, Crafting, & Caring - April 24 October 22 (Old Feast date) Saint of the day: Saint Mary Salome Her name derives from the word Shalon which means peace after I eat this I am at peace Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter feast of saint fidelis Job, Chapter 11, Verse 15 Surely then you may lift up your face in innocence; you may stand firm and UNAFRAID . Now Jobs’ other friend speaks saying that “If iniquity is in your hand, remove it, and do not let injustice dwell in your tent” then you may be unafraid. Yet, Job has not been immoral, he hates his life and what is happening to him. Job Detests His Life [1] · Job continues his bumming out session, asking God why he would oppress the people who love him. Doesn't really seem like a good business model. · Time for more thoughts from the peanut gallery. · Zophar says that Job must have done something wrong; God is
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