3 Powerful Weapons Against the devil

According to Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, they are as follows:

1.  The Holy Name of Jesus.  Satan cannot stand His Holy Name because at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in Heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Philippians 2.9-10).

2.  The Blood of Christ.  Through the invocation of the Blood of Christ because without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.

3.  Our Blessed Mother.

Light vs. Darkness

God is good!  God is a loving Father.  He created us so that we may choose to love Him freely.  He watches over us. He sacrificed His only begotten Son so that our immortal souls would not perish but live eternally with Him in Paradise.  As Son, He is the light of the world.  He forgives us our innumerable sins.  His Divine Mercy has no limit!  As Holy Spirit, He guides the church, protects the church, inspires the church, teaches the church.  All that is good is God yet the world continues to choose darkness and all that is evil over Him.

The daily reporting of our brothers and sisters in Christ being martyred by the Islamic extremists should be awake call to each one of us that the time has come for us to either choose God and all that is good or to choose the evil one.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

Whoever believes in Him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because He has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil.

For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed.  But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God."   John 3:16-21.

The murdering and barbarically cruel followers of the devil, who kill Christians in God's name are committing these evil acts on God Himself.

It is beyond comprehension why these haters attract many people worldwide, including westerners from the United States and Europe.  One wonders what the allure is.  One wonders what lies the father of all lies has told them.  What are the empty promises he has made to have them join the ranks of his minions.  But even if they joined out of ignorance, it is still a betrayal to God Who is Love itself and inexcusable.

We, the followers of Christ must be prepared to die for Him in order that we do not betray Him, should the time come, because of fear of persecution.  We must pray that we be steadfast in our love and prepared to die with Jesus' name on our lips like our martyred brothers and sisters killed for the faith.

Overcoming Distracting Thoughts

"...never willfully to dwell on thoughts that disturb our peace, to despise them, not to allow them to trouble or torment us, and in this, as in all else, to be guided by the decision of our spiritual director."

- Father Jean-Nicholas Grou - The Spiritual Life

From journal entry April 2, 2013

I copied the above quote last year around this time.  I chose it for today's post because I have been having thoughts at Mass that do in fact disturb my peace.  It is clear that those thoughts did not come from God but from His enemy and ours.  The best way to fight those types of thoughts is to pray earnestly to God for the grace to overcome anything that takes our hearts and minds away from Him.

Do Not Fear the devil

(Click to enlarge for easier reading)

Is it from God or is it from Satan?

Picture source

Today's Magnficat's Meditation helps us discern.

"Since the devil may disguise himself as a good spirit and even cause what appears to be authentic mystical phenomena, it is helpful to mention briefly the various signs of the diabolical spirit.

1.  Spirit of falsity.  The devil is the father of lies, but he cleverly conceals his deceit by half-truths and pseudo-mystical phenomena.

2.  Morbid curiosity.  This is characteristic of those who eagerly seek out the esoteric aspects of mystical phenomena or have a fascination for the occult or preternatural.

3.  Confusion, anxiety, and deep depression.

4.  Obstinacy.  One of the surest signs of a diabolical spirit.

5.  Constant indiscretion and a restless spirit.  Those who constantly go to extremes, as in penitential exercises or apostolic activity, or neglect their primary obligations to do some personally chosen work.

6.  Spirit of pride and vanity.  Very anxious to publicize their gifts of grace and mystical experiences.

7.  False humility.  This is the disguise for their pride and self-love.

8.  despair, lack of confidence, and discouragement   A chronic characteristic that alternates with presumption, vain security, and unfounded optimism.

9.  Disobedience and hardness of heart.

10. Impatience in suffering and stubborn resentment.

11. Uncontrolled passions and strong inclination to sensuality, usually under the guise of mystical union.

12.  Hypocrisy, simulation, and duplicity.

13.  Excessive attachment to sensible consolations, particularly in their practice of prayer.

14.  Lack of deep devotion to Jesus and Mary.

15.  Scrupulous adherence to the letter of the law and fanatical zeal in promoting a cause.  This characteristic readily opens the door to diabolical influence in reformers and demagogues."

-  Father Jordan Aumann, OP

"The Many Disguises of Satan"

This article should be read and shared.

It would be easy if Satan came as he is often portrayed, with horns and a pitchfork. We would naturally flee this ugliness.
Alas, he often comes cloaked in beauty, in sheep’s clothing:
He claims to offer us freedom and autonomy from an unreasonable God and Church, liberation from rules and being “told what to do.”

 Mahalo to Father Grace for sharing.

 Article

Italian priests join the war on Satanic crime

H/T to Sue

..."We estimate that there are at least 8,000 Satanic sects across the country with more than 600,000 members and the numbers are growing. That is why the Church is more than happy to help."...

Click title above for entire article.