Thursday, June 11, 2026
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1. Video Summary — C.S. Lewis on Demonic Influence and the Mind
The video presents a sermon‑style synthesis of C.S. Lewis’s writings (The Screwtape Letters, Mere Christianity) focused on how evil attempts to influence human thought. Key themes:
Demonic strategy is subtle, not spectacular.
Evil rarely appears dramatically; instead it works through distraction, discouragement, noise, and distorted desires.The battlefield is the interior life.
The enemy aims to keep the mind unfocused, reactive, and spiritually numb—never still enough to hear God.Temptation begins with suggestion, not coercion.
Evil cannot force the will; it can only whisper distortions: resentment, self‑pity, fear, pride, or despair.Isolation is a primary tactic.
The enemy tries to cut a person off from prayer, community, sacrament, and silence—because isolation weakens discernment.Resistance requires active alignment with God.
Lewis emphasizes that the Christian must fill the mind with truth, Scripture, and disciplined habits; empty neutrality is not enough.Christ’s authority silences the demonic.
The sermon stresses that evil flees not from human strength but from the presence and name of Christ.
2. CCC Framework — What the Church Teaches About Evil and the Mind
a. The mind is a battleground
CCC 409:
Human history is a “dramatic struggle” against the powers of darkness.
b. Temptation is real but never coerces
CCC 2847:
Temptation “tests” freedom but does not override it; God never allows us to be tempted beyond our strength.
c. Evil distorts the good
CCC 309–311:
Evil is a privation—a twisting of what God created good.
d. Sin begins in the interior life
CCC 1853:
The root of sin is in the heart, in disordered desires and thoughts.
e. Spiritual combat requires vigilance
CCC 2725–2729:
Prayer is a battle against distraction, discouragement, and the enemy’s subtle resistance.
f. Christ is the source of deliverance
CCC 2850–2854:
“Deliver us from evil” is a plea for liberation from the Evil One, whose defeat is already secured in Christ.
3. Devotional‑Ready Paragraph — Confronting Evil Today
Evil today rarely announces itself with horns; it whispers. It works through distraction, resentment, and the quiet corrosion of the interior life. The Catechism teaches that temptation never forces the will (CCC 2847), yet it can distort the good (CCC 309) and root sin in the heart (CCC 1853) if left unchallenged. To confront evil is to guard the mind: to silence the enemy’s suggestions with Scripture, to anchor the heart in prayer, and to stand in the victory of Christ who has already overcome the Evil One (CCC 2850). The Christian fights not by shouting at darkness but by filling the soul with light—truth, discipline, and the steady courage of a man who knows to whom he belongs.
Smoke in this Life not the Next
“Lady‑Mistress of the Sea”
Cheap night. Smoke rising thin.
Today is my sister Donna Marie’s birthday —
Lady‑Mistress of the Sea, gone ahead of us into God.
I ask prayers for her intentions,
for the desires she carries now in the light.
I remember Drithelm of Northumbria,
whose family kept vigil beside his body,
weeping through the night,
not knowing God was not finished with him.
Every birthday of the dead is a vigil like that —
a quiet keeping‑watch.
May Christ grant Donna Marie safe harbor,
peace for her soul,
and mercy for every longing she still holds before Him.
Tonight the smoke rises for her.
JUNE 11 Thursday
within the Octave of Corpus Christi
Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle
1 Corinthians, chapter 9, Verse 27
No, I drive my body
and train it, for FEAR that, after having preached to others, I myself
should be disqualified.
Paul is telling us that as Christians we must set the example and be all things to all. We must as is sometimes attributed to the sayings of St. Francis, “preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.”
This is the first premise of leadership. As leaders, especially Christian leaders, we must demonstrate the Be, Know and Do attitudes of Christ. That is, we must become an “Alter Christus” or another Christ. We must BE to others as Christ would. We must KNOW spiritual principals as Christ does and we must act or DO in the world as Christ would.
St. Barnabas[1]
Strictly speaking, Barnabas was not an apostle, but the title has been bestowed upon him since very early times. His first name was Joseph; Barnabas (etymology: "son of consolation") was a surname. He belonged to the tribe of Levi. He was a Hellenist, that is, a Jew who lived outside of Palestine and spoke the Greek tongue. Born in Cyprus, he embraced the faith soon after the death of Christ, becoming a member of the original Jerusalem community. His first noteworthy deed was to sell his belongings and place the money at the feet of the apostles. It is to his lasting credit that he befriended the neo-convert Paul and introduced him to the apostles when everyone was still distrusting the former persecutor. More noteworthy still was his service to the universal Church by being the first to recognize Paul's potential for the cause of Christ; it was Barnabas who brought him from Tarsus to teach at Antioch. The first missionary journey (about 45-48 A.D.) the two made together, and Barnabas seems to have been the leader, at least at the beginning (Acts 13-14). Barnabas' appearance must have been dignified and impressive, otherwise the inhabitants of Lystra would not have regarded him as Jupiter. He was present with Paul at the Council of Jerusalem (ca. 50). While they were preparing for the second missionary journey, there arose a difference of opinion regarding Mark; as a result, each continued his labors separately.
Barnabas went to Cyprus with Mark and thereafter is not referred to again in the Acts of the Apostles or in any other authentic source. From a remark in one of Paul's letters we know that he lived from the work of his own hands (1 Cor. 9:5-6). The time and place of his death have not been recorded. It is claimed that his body was found at Salamina in 488 A.D. His name is mentioned in the Canon of the Mass since ancient times.
Excerpted
from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch
Patron: Antioch; Cyprus; against
hailstorms; invoked as peacemaker.
Things to Do:
Read the passages from
the Acts of the Apostles about St. Barnabas: Acts 4:36-37; 9:26-29; 11:27-30;
12:24-25; 13:1-12; 13:27-30; 13:44-52; 14:1-14; 14:21-23; 14:36-40.
Read the Catholic
Encyclopedia's account of the life of St.
Barnabas.
Epistle of Barnabas[2]
CHAP. I. — AFTER THE SALUTATION, THE WRITER DECLARES
THAT HE WOULD COMMUNICATE TO HIS BRETHREN SOMETHING OF THAT WHICH HE HAD
HIMSELF RECEIVED.
All hail, ye sons and daughters, in
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who loved us in peace. Seeing that the
divine fruits of righteousness abound among you, I rejoice exceedingly and
above measure in your happy and honored spirits, because ye have with such
effect received the engrafted spiritual gift. Wherefore also I inwardly rejoice
the more, hoping to be saved, because I truly perceive in you the Spirit poured
forth from the rich Lords of love. Your greatly desired appearance has thus
filled me with astonishment over you. I am therefore persuaded of this, and
fully convinced in my own mind, that since I began to speak among you I
understand many things, because the Lord hath accompanied me in the way of
righteousness. I am also on this account bound by the strictest obligation to
love you above my own soul, because great are the faith and love dwelling in
you, while you hope for the life which He has promised. Considering this,
therefore, that if I should take the trouble to communicate to you some portion
of what I have myself received, it will prove to me a sufficient reward that I
minister to such spirits, I have hastened briefly to write unto you, in order
that, along with your faith, ye might have perfect knowledge. The doctrines of
the Lord, then, are three: the hope of life, the beginning and the completion
of it. For the Lord hath made known to us by the prophets both the things which
are past and present, giving us also the first-fruits of the knowledge of
things to come, which things as we see accomplished, one by one, we ought with
the greater richness of faith and elevation of spirit to draw near to Him with
reverence. I then, not as your teacher, but as one of yourselves, will set
forth a few things by which in present circumstances ye may be rendered the
more joyful. (To be cont.)
Apostolic Exhortation[3]
Veneremur Cernui
– Down in Adoration Falling
of
The Most Reverend Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix,
to Priests, Deacons, Religious and the Lay Faithful of the Diocese of Phoenix
on the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist
My beloved Brothers and
Sisters in Christ,
Part III
Loving and Adoring the Eucharistic Lord
V.
Brother priests, make the Eucharist the source of all your priestly
fruitfulness.
95.
My beloved brother priests, let us make the Eucharist the source and beating
heart of our priestly ministry, our refuge, our consolation, and our only
reward!
96.
So, I invite each priest to consider how he might be able to renew and deepen
his priestly commitment to make the Eucharist the true source of his life and
ministry. Here are some simple ways to consider:
Set aside time before
the Blessed Sacrament each morning before engaging in pastoral work.
Do a Eucharistic Holy
Hour daily.
Spend 30 minutes or
more in adoration with fellow priests weekly or monthly.
Start or join a Jesus
Caritas group to provide fraternal love and support ordered around Jesus’
Eucharistic love for His priests.
Celebrate the Mass
each day, including days-off and vacations.
VI.
Pastors, have one Eucharistic procession each year in your parish.
97.
The well-known American author Willa Cather was not a Catholic. Nevertheless,
she wrote of the impact of experiencing a Eucharistic procession. It awakened
in her a deep longing for what they had. The sensual beauty and sheer public
display of Catholic faith in the Eucharist made a deep impression on her
imagination and her soul. Though Eucharistic processions have waxed and waned
in popularity, we should consider the special opportunity provided today by
this form of Eucharistic piety. It is true that the “native environment”
of the Eucharist is the Mass offered in churches. At the same time, centuries
of Catholic practice suggest that there is indeed something uniquely
enchanting, affective, and symbolic when a procession happens.
To
be continued…
Bible in a year Day 341 Eternal Weight of Glory
In our reading of Acts 20, Fr. Mike reflects on the healing of
Eutychus, Paul's willingness to suffer for the sake of the Gospel, and Paul's
tender affection for the people he ministered to. In 2 Corinthians, Fr. Mike
also highlights Paul's encouragement to hold onto the hope of beholding the
glory of God with unveiled faces and to persevere in our afflictions as they
prepare for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. Today's
readings are Acts 20, 2 Corinthians 3-5, and Proverbs 28:25-28.
Around
the Corner
The
spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because
the LORD has anointed me.
He
has sent me to bring good news to the afflicted,
to
bind up the brokenhearted,
To
proclaim liberty to the captives,
release
to the prisoners
(Isaiah 61:1)
Fairness is
giving animals their due too this is “Responsible
Animal Guardian Month”.
Spirit
hour: Gin Cocktail
or Side
Car cocktail in honor of Paul’s side kick
Bucket List:
Military Hop-NAVAL
STATION Sigonella
do
a personal eucharistic stations of the cross.
National
German Chocolate Cake Day
Shia LaBeouf, born
on June 11, 1986
Foodie:
Arancini
In honor of St. Barnabas my mother loved Barnabas, but he was not a Saint
Today
is my deceased sister Donna Marie’s (Lady-Mistress
of the Sea) birthday please pray for her intentions.
Thursday Feast
Thursday
is the day of the week that our Lord gave himself up for consumption. Thursday
commemorates the last supper. Some theologians believe after Sunday Thursday is
the holiest day of the week. We should then try to make this day special by
making a visit to the blessed sacrament chapel, Mass or even stopping by the
grave of a loved one. Why not plan to count the blessing of the week and thank
our Lord. Plan a special meal. Be at Peace.
According to Mary
Agreda[4] in
her visions it was on a Thursday at six o'clock in the evening and at the
approach of night that the Angel Gabriel approached and announced her as Mother
of God and she gave her fiat.
Thursday Feast Menu[5]Dinner in honor of St. Anthony of
Padua
Best Places to Visit in June
Temperature: 82.4 high;
50°C low
Season: summer
The USA is all about scale: big dreams, big burgers and even bigger landscapes.
And scenery doesn’t come much bigger than California’s Yosemite, that mighty
meeting of granite cliffs, giant redwoods and towering falls, high in the
Sierra Nevada. May might be a top time to make a beeline
for California, but June is the sweet spot for Yosemite:
the snow has melted enough to clear the scenic Tioga
Pass driving route (inaccessible from November to late May), but the heat hasn’t dried up
dramatic Yosemite Falls yet. Not to mention the June bloom, when wildflowers
are at their brightest. Sometimes feeling small can feel pretty good.
Where to stay: The Ahwahnee, with its grand wooden rooms and stone fireplaces, is the perfect escape, hidden between towering cliffs, twinkling waterfalls and vast expanses of land.
Get
your three-day outdoor experience via glamping or hardcore on your own
and remember; lose the cell phone.
Under Canvas Yosemite
is located on 85 acres of forested land featuring unique glamping
accommodations, a main lobby tent complete with café-style dining, upscale
lounge areas luxuriously furnished by West Elm, and other elevated offerings.
Located just 10 minutes from the main entrance to Yosemite National Park at Big
Oak Flat, our very first California location is easily accessible from the San
Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, and Northern California. Sleep amongst towering
California Black Oak and Ponderosa Pine forests in king-size beds with plush
linens and private, ensuite bathrooms. Immerse yourself in the stillness of
nature and explore one of the nation’s most historic national parks from Under
Canvas Yosemite, where a stay is part of the upscale, outdoor adventure!
Jordan
Peterson, born June 12, 1962, is a Canadian psychologist known for his
thought-provoking ideas. He gained wide attention through his teaching and
writing, and his work touches on a variety of topics, from psychology to
cultural analysis.
Peterson’s
influence extends beyond academia, reaching a global audience through his
lectures and books.
He
stands out for his unique approach to modern life’s challenges, making him a
notable figure in contemporary discussions.
“12
Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos,” in 2018.
Daily
Devotions
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: End
Sex Trafficking, Slavery
Make reparations to the Holy Face-Tuesday Devotion
Litany
of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
Rosary
[1]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2019-06-11
[4] Venerable Mary of Agreda. The Mystical City of God:
Complete Edition Containing all Four Volumes with Illustrations (p. 770).
Veritatis Splendor Publications. Kindle Edition
JOHNNY APOLLO (1940)
Tyrone Power • Dorothy Lamour • Edward Arnold
Directed by Henry Hathaway
A sleek, shadow‑cut crime drama about pride, shame, and the dangerous masks men wear,
Johnny Apollo is not merely a gangster picture.
It is a meditation on identity —
the name we inherit,
the name we choose,
and the name we must finally confess.
It is the tale of a son wounded by disgrace,
a father crushed by his own fall,
and a woman whose bruised loyalty becomes the unlikely compass
pointing a lost man home.
And then the reckoning comes —
not through glamour or bravado,
but through the painful clarity
that sin always charges full price.
1. Production & Historical Setting
A Nation Wrestling With Corruption and Image
Released in 1940, on the edge of America’s entry into war,
the film reflects a culture obsessed with reputation,
public virtue,
and the fear of hidden rot beneath polished surfaces.
It is a story for a country learning that
respectability can collapse overnight.
Tyrone Power: The Golden Boy in Freefall
Power’s Bob Cain Jr. is all charm and clean lines —
until disgrace cracks him open.
His transformation into “Johnny Apollo”
is a study in how quickly a man can trade integrity
for the illusion of control.
His beauty becomes his mask,
and his mask becomes his prison.
Dorothy Lamour: The Wounded Torchbearer
As Lucky Dubarry, Lamour is smoky, tender,
and heartbreakingly loyal.
She knows the darkness of the world
and still chooses to love a man trying to outrun his own shadow.
Her presence is the film’s moral ache —
the reminder that even the fallen can be loved back toward the light.
Edward Arnold: The Fallen Patriarch
Arnold’s performance as the disgraced father
is heavy with shame and dignity.
He is a man who sinned,
but whose greatest torment
is watching his son sin for his sake.
2. Story Summary
A Name in Ruins
Bob Cain Jr.’s world collapses when his father is imprisoned for embezzlement.
Humiliated and furious,
he rejects the straight path and reinvents himself as Johnny Apollo,
a persona forged from pride, pain, and bravado.
A Descent Disguised as Loyalty
To free his father, Johnny enters the criminal underworld,
telling himself it is devotion,
not corruption.
But every step deeper stains him further,
and the line between rescue and ruin blurs.
Love in the Shadows
Lucky sees the man beneath the mask —
the wounded son,
the frightened boy,
the man who wants to be good
but no longer believes he can be.
The Breaking Point
A prison break, a betrayal, a gunshot night —
Johnny’s world collapses under the weight of his choices.
His father finally understands the cost of his own sin:
he has driven his son into darkness.
Redemption Through Truth
The film ends not with triumph,
but with honesty.
Johnny must face what he has become
before he can become anything better.
3. Spiritual & Moral Resonances
A. Identity Can Become an Idol
Johnny Apollo is a mask built from shame.
When we worship the image we project,
we lose the soul beneath it.
B. Sin Always Spreads
The father’s crime becomes the son’s downfall.
No sin is private;
it ripples outward.
C. Love Sees the Man Beneath the Ruin
Lucky’s loyalty is not naïve —
it is the stubborn mercy that refuses to give up on a soul.
D. Pride Is the Most Elegant Path to Destruction
Johnny’s fall is not caused by greed,
but by the refusal to be seen as weak.
Pride is the devil’s favorite disguise.
E. Redemption Requires Naming the Truth
Johnny cannot be saved
until he stops performing
and starts confessing.
4. Hospitality Pairing — A City‑Night Table
Drink: A bourbon Manhattan — smooth, dark, and slightly bitter, like a man wrestling with his own shadow.
Plate: Thin‑cut steak with pepper and salt — sharp, masculine, unadorned.
Atmosphere: A single lamp, blinds half‑drawn, the hum of a distant street — the world of a man deciding who he will be.
Symbol: A torn business card — the discarded identity that must be reclaimed or abandoned.
5. Reflection Prompts
- What mask have I worn so long that I’ve begun to believe it is my face.
- Where has pride led me into places I never intended to go.
- Who has loved me even when I was unlovable — and what did that love demand of me.
- What sin in my life has rippled outward into others.
- Where is God asking me to drop the persona and speak the truth,
so that redemption can begin.
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