Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH    Lk 6:17, 20-26 “Blessed are the pure of heart.”

10 MEDITATIONS TO HELP YOU ATTAIN PURITY OF HEART by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

Saint Paul exhorts us: “Glorify God in your bodies… your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.” (1 Cor 6:19-20) Saint Peter builds on this all-important concept by expressing the value of our person and our eternal salvation with these words: “You were redeemed (bought back) not by silver or gold, nor by the blood of animals, but by the precious Blood of Christ.” (1 Pet 1:18-19)

With the words of Saint Paul and those of Saint Peter, we come to a keen and penetrating awareness of the dignity of the human person, as well as our eternal destiny—to be with God forever in heaven.

Therefore, let us delve into this all-important topic of purity, the virtue of chastity, and offer the means by which we can acquire this virtue so that we will be able to contemplate the beauty of the Face of God in time and for all eternity! In a real sense we are soldiers of Jesus and Mary and must compose a concrete strategy or plan so as to win, to conquer, the virtue of purity, keenly aware of the words of Jesus Himself who declared: “Nothing is impossible with God!” (Mt 29:26)

1. BEGGARS BEFORE GOD

In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the great Saint Augustine is quoted: “We are all beggars before God.” This being the case, first and foremost we must beg God with humility and persistence for the virtue of purity.

Jesus Himself encourages us with these words: “Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened. For whoever asks receives; whoever seeks finds; and whoever knocks, the door will be opened.” (Mt 7:7-8)

2. FERVENT PRAYER

Saint Teresa of Avila teaches us that prayer can attain all. Most specifically, if we beg the Lord in prayer for the virtue of purity, He will grant it to us. We must imitate the example of the insistent widow who prayed and begged, day and night, with persistence and perseverance until she gained her end. (Lk. 18:1-8) All graces and gifts come to us through humble, patient, persistent, and persevering prayer.

3. CURATIVE AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE

As the Mystical Body of Christ, we are blessed and endowed with extraordinary graces and one of these is the Sacrament of Confession. Regarding the virtue of purity, Sacramental Confession or Reconciliation serves as a means to heal us if we have fallen into any sin, but for the purpose of this article, sins against purity.

Never forget, Confession also serves as a means to prevent sins, including sins against purity. If you will, it is like preventive medicine. Why get a flu-shot? Why take Vitamin C? Why take one or two tablets of Airborne? The response: as preventive medicine so as to prevent the flu, the cold, these sicknesses!

4. CUSTODY OF THE SENSES, ESPECIALLY THE EYES

How true the saying: “The eyes are the mirror of the soul.” The dynamic and sequence is the following: What goes into our eyes reaches our mind, then from our mind it influences our emotions, and from our emotions it goes to our heart. From our heart, the seat of willing and decision-making, come actions; actions transform into habits—good habits are called virtues, while bad habits are called vices. Finally, these habits, good or bad, form our personality and ultimately our eternal destiny.

Allowing bad images can wreak havoc in our total being; contrariwise, a strict vigilance over our senses, most especially our eyes, can safeguard the virtue of purity and help us to live pure, holy, and noble lives.

Never forget the sin of David! It started with David’s lack of custody over his eyes, allowing his eyes to wander over the beautiful Bathsheba, which ended in adultery and the killing of an innocent man. This was very displeasing to God! (2 Samuel Chapters 11and 12). Let us learn from this powerful Biblical lesson!

5. AVOID LAZINESS

Often one sin easily opens up the door to another. Not only for children and teens, but even for adults. We must not allow ourselves to be dominated by laziness. How true the saying: “Idleness is the mother of all sins.” If we do not have anything to do, the devil will give us plenty to do, often related to temptations and opportunities to fall into sins of impurity. An idle mind and a lazy body are an invitation to enter into the vice of impurity. May our days be replete with wholesome and constructive activities!

6. DESOLATION AND SADNESS

There is a universal principle in the spiritual life, so very well explained by Saint Ignatius of Loyola in the Spiritual Exercises and Rules for Discernment of Spirits, and it is the reality of the State of Desolation. What is desolation? It is a state that we all go through and experience at times in our spiritual life.

Feelings of sadness, discouragement, loneliness, hopelessness, lack of faith, hope, and charity—all of these can be signs of desolation. While in this state, the devil lifts his fiery arrows, especially the arrow of impurity, and shoots for the kill.

As valiant soldiers of Jesus and Mary, let us be aware of this state of soul. May we all pass through it and ward off the many temptations, often against purity, that the devil levels against us.

7. PRACTICE OF PRAYER AND PENANCE

It is in the Holy Season of Lent that we contemplate the Lord Jesus Christ in the desert. While there for forty days and forty nights, Jesus practiced the vigorous discipline of fasting—going this long period of time without eating and drinking. Most likely we cannot go forty days without food and drink. However, all of us can and must get into the habit of frequent self-denial, penance, the ascetical life of discipline.

Point blank Jesus stated: “Some devils can be cast out only by prayer and fasting.” (Mt. 17:21) Among these devils are those of impurity! By saying NO to smaller things, we build up our spirit and will-power to resist the imperious and constant demands of the flesh. Saint Paul reminds us: “The flesh lusts against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh.” (Gal 5:17)

Either we conquer the flesh by God’s grace and our collaboration with His grace, or we become slaves of the flesh and our imperious passions. It is up to us; it is our choice!

8. THE HOLY EUCHARIST: BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST

All of our human efforts cannot be compared with the infinite graces that flow from the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Therefore, in our pursuit of the angelic virtue of purity, the faithful, frequent, and fervent reception of Holy Communion—the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ, is without a doubt the most efficacious pathway and means to holiness and the virtue of purity! 

In all truth, the Precious Blood of Jesus surges through your veins and arteries, into your heart, then it permeates and imbues the entirety of your body and all of your senses. So that you can say with Saint Paul: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”  (Gal 2:20)

For the young, who at times are dominated by the passions and desires of the flesh, Saint John Bosco encouraged frequent Confession and frequent reception of Holy Communion, uncommon at the time, but so necessary to help them win the battle for purity.

9. A WELL-ORDERED PHYSICAL LIFE

God created the human person as a composite being—both body and soul. Up to this point, we have focused on the most important aspect in attaining purity—a deep relationship with Jesus through a fervent Sacramental life and an authentic prayer life. Jesus reminds us: “Without me you can do nothing… I am the Vine and you are the branches.” (Jn. 15:5)

However, of great importance is a well-ordered life with respect to the maintenance and proper use of our body in general. By this is meant that we should all strive for adequate rest every night. Also, we should have a proper and constant diet. Finally, physical exercise for our body has an important role to play.

When our body is run down in one, two, or all three of these areas, then temptations in many areas, including temptations against the virtue of purity, can skyrocket. Any Doctor or Medical Personnel will insist on rest, proper eating, and established periods of physical exercise. In the Spiritual Exercises, Saint Ignatius of Loyola insists on ordering the disorder in our lives, so as to be able to seek and carry out the will of God in our lives.

10. A FILIAL AND DYNAMIC DEVOTION TO MARY  

The saints in heaven, who were able to attain sanctity through heroic virtue, are unanimous in their love and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Saint Faustina Kowalska encountered Jesus who placed a sash around her waist, granting her the gift of perfect chastity. Faustina confided that she had been begging for this grace of perfect chastity from the Blessed Virgin Mary for a long time.

So must we follow and walk in the footsteps of the saints, loving the Blessed Virgin Mary and begging her for this great gift, so that she in turn will bless and grace us with chastity, the virtue of purity, so that one day after having lived out the Beatitude, “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God” (Mt 5:8), we will contemplate the Face of God in Heaven for all eternity. May Our Lady be always at our side, in our mind, and in our heart!

In sum, we hope that through prayer, meditation, and the study of these short ten suggestions, we will compose our own spiritual strategy so that we can fight the good fight, run the good race, and so merit the crown of the glory that God gives to all His valiant and faithful soldiers!

Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH    Mk 8:1-10   Entrance Antiphon: “Hail, Holy Mother, who gave birth to the King who rules heaven and earth.”

Yesterday we celebrated Our Lady of Lourdes who appeared in 1858 to a poor and sickly girl, Bernadette Soubirous, at a grotto in Lourdes, France, where miraculous healing waters appeared. Some 6 million pilgrims come to the shrine in Lourdes, France, each year to pray and seek healing.

On Saturday when we honor Mary, Fr. Ed helps us appreciate the importance of this appearance of Our Lady for us!

OUR LADY OF LOURDES: “I AM THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION” by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

Our Lady of Lourdes appeared 18 times to the simple, humble, sickly little girl Bernadette Soubirous—now honored with the title SAINT BERNADETTE OF LOURDES.

In our short essay on Lourdes and Saint Bernadette, we would like to highlight the golden nuggets, the pearls of infinite value, the precious diamonds of wealth that flow from this approved Marian Apparition.

First and foremost, we should base our Catholic faith upon Biblical Truths, as well as Dogmatic truths, as well as catechetical expressions. However, for many Catholics—and myself included in this group—approved Marian apparitions can definitely foster, bolster and fortify our faith and love for Holy Mother Church, for the Blessed Trinity, as well as for our Heavenly Mother.

Indeed, many Popes, scholars and saints have traveled as pilgrims to Lourdes, thereby receiving many blessings—moral, emotional, spiritual, and quite often physical healings.

We invite all to read, study and strive to become familiar with the message, content and happenings in Lourdes, France 1858—in total, 18 Apparitions to the simple Bernadette. Strongly to be encouraged for reading is Saint Bernadette Soubirous by Abbe Francois Trochu, Tan Publishers. This writing is a spiritual masterpiece on Saint Bernadette and Our Lady of Lourdes. Furthermore, we invite all to view the movies: “The Song of Bernadette”, as well as “The Passion of Bernadette.”

All that we can do to foster knowledge, love, devotion, confidence and imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary should be enthusiastically encouraged and promoted. In the words of Saint Louis de Montfort: “Mary is the quickest, shortest and easiest pathway to Jesus.” Indeed, Mary is the shortcut to the Heart of Jesus.

Therefore, let us dive into the deep riches and treasures of the meaning, message and teachings taught and proclaimed by Our Lady of Lourdes and her messenger—Saint Bernadette.

GOLDEN MINE OF TREASURES FROM LOURDES AND BERNADETTE.

1. OUR LADY LOVES AND CARES FOR CHILDREN.  Two of the most celebrated approved Marian Apparitions are Fatima and Lourdes. In both of these Apparitions, Our Lady chose to appear, not to scholars, nor intellectuals, nor the rich, powerful and prestigious. Rather, she chose to appear to simple children. Jesus Himself reiterated this basic theme: “Let the little children come to me… Unless you become like children you cannot enter the Kingdom of God.” (Mt 18:13, 19:14) Our Lady wants us to bring the children to her tender and loving Immaculate Heart.

2. OUR LADY REVEALS HER NAME TO BERNADETTE AND THE WHOLE WORLD. This beautiful Lady that Bernadette was privileged to see 18 times revealed her name to Bernadette: I AM THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. At Fatima, to the children Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta, she revealed herself as Our Lady of the Rosary; in Mexico to Juan Diego, “Am I not your Mother?” But to Bernadette and the whole world, she lifts her gaze and proclaims one of her great privileges—THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.

3. OUR LADY AFFIRMS THE TEACHING OF THE MAGISTERIUM—THE TEACHING OFFICE OF THE CHURCH.  Our Lady of Lourdes appeared to Bernadette in 1858. Only four years earlier, in 1854, Pope Pius IX proclaimed dogmatically the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.  Therefore, true and authentic devotion to Mary will always align us with the authentic teaching of the Magisterium of the Church. For that reason, the Second Vatican Council proclaimed Mary as the Mother of the Church.

4. OUR LADY ASKED FOR A CHURCH TO BE BUILT.  As in the apparitions in Fatima and Mexico, Our Lady of Lourdes desired that a Church be constructed. Why? The reason is crystal clear: Mary desires our conversion, our sanctification, and the eternal salvation of our immortal souls. Of course, two of the most important supports for our salvation are frequent reception of the Sacraments of Confession and the Eucharist. Once a Church is constructed, Masses will be celebrated frequently. Furthermore, priests will be available to reconcile souls to God through the Sacrament of Confession, the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

5. OUR LADY OF LOURDES AND THE MIRACULOUS SPRING OF WATER. Our Lady told Bernadette to dig into the ground to discover water. Amongst the curious onlookers, Bernadette obeyed by digging into the ground. Many thought she was crazy. But little by little water started seeping forth from where the little girl dug. Consequently, the miraculous spring of water has flowed forth even to this day. Many of the sick who have washed and bathed themselves with this water have been miraculously healed. Through the intercession of Mary these miracles occurred. Jesus worked His first public miracle at the Wedding Feast of Cana through the intercession Mary, by turning water into wine. Still to this day, God works miracles through the powerful intercession of Mary, most holy.

6. OUR LADY LOVES THE CHILDREN AND THE SICK.  These miraculous cures are carried out among the terminally ill, the sick, the suffering, the forlorn and abandoned of the world. Our Lady of Lourdes teaches us to pray for the sick, to help the sick, to the support the sick, and to love the sick. Because in the sick and suffering we can discover the Face of the Suffering Jesus.

7. PRAYER AND SACRIFICE. The messages of Our Lady of Lourdes and Our Lady of Fatima have a common thread: PRAYER AND PENANCE OR SACRIFICES! Our Lady points out that many souls can be saved from eternal loss if generous persons offer fervent prayers and generous sacrifices. Remember, even one soul is worth more than the whole created universe.

8. EUCHARISTIC PROCESSIONS AT DUSK.  Our Lady of Lourdes desired that Jesus be honored by Processions. At dusk, outside the Basilica to this very day there are Eucharistic Processions. The Eucharistic Face of Jesus present in the monstrance is honored and worshipped in the plaza. A very interesting note: most of the healings occur during these Eucharistic Processions. Mary leads us to Jesus, and Jesus who is truly the Divine Physician, heals us. May Mary’s prayers bring us healing. May our Eucharistic Lord heal our bodies, minds and hearts!

9. FEBRUARY 11^TH WORLD DAY OF THE SICK.  Pope Saint John Paul II was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease as early as 1991, but the disease was officially confirmed in 2001. It is very interesting that the saintly Pope decided to create the World Day of the Sick one year after his diagnosis.  The Pope had suffered much during the course of his long pontificate (October 16, 1978 – April 2, 2005). One of his greatest sufferings was the shooting and attack on his life May 13, 1981. Less than three years later,  Feb. 11, 1984, Pope John Paul II published one of the most eloquent and touching Apostolic letters on suffering, Salvific Doloris, (the salvific value of suffering). In this letter, the Holy Father, from his own studies but especially through his own experience, explained the positive meaning and value that derives from suffering if it is united to the suffering of Jesus on the cross.

10. Then Pope John Paul II chose the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11th, as the day for the observance of the WORLD DAY OF SUFFERING. The saintly Pope reminds us of the purpose of this day. It is a day in which we are united to pray for those who suffer, but also for all of us to offer our sufferings for the good of the Church. The Church can be sanctified and purified by our prayers and sufferings united to Jesus’ suffering on the cross. Furthermore, the Holy Pontiff invites us, through the eyes of faith, to see in our sick brothers and sisters, the face of Christ. 

We will conclude our reflection of Our Lady of Lourdes by selecting a few inspiring quotations from Saint Bernadette, hoping to motivate us to strive for an authentic life of holiness in our love for Mary, for Jesus, and the pursuit of heroic virtue.

“Everything is nothing to me, but Jesus: neither things nor persons, neither ideas nor emotions, neither honor nor sufferings, Jesus is my honor, delight, heart and soul.”

“I must die to myself continually and accept trials without complaining. I work, suffer, and I love with no other witness than His heart. Anyone who is not prepared to suffer for the Beloved and to do His will in all things is not worthy of the sweet name of Friend, for here below, Love without suffering does not exist.”

“When my emotions are strong, I remember the words of Our Lord: ‘It is I, do not be afraid.’ Immediately I appreciate and thank Our Lord for this grace of rejections and humiliations from my Superior and Sisters. It is the love of this Good Master who would remove the roots from this tree of pride. The more little I become, the more I grow in the Heart of Jesus.”

“O Jesus and Mary, let my entire consolation in this world be to love you and to suffer for sinners.”

“My weapons, I decided, would be prayer and sacrifice, which I would hold on to till my last breath. Then only would the weapon of sacrifice fall from my hand, but the weapon of prayer would follow me to Heaven.”

Copyright 2022 Oblates of the Virgin Mary / St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA

Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Memorial of Saint Scholastica, Virgin

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH    Mk 7:14-23   “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.”

The humility of this woman should pierce our hearts, just as it pierced the Heart of Jesus, who responded: “For saying this, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter.”

That said, what should pierce our hearts even more, is the humility of the Son of God made man, Jesus Christ Himself! St. Paul writes:

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Phil 2:6-8)

JESUS MEEK AND HUMBLE OF HEART, MAKE MY HEART LIKE UNTO THINE… by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

“Jesus meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine.” Though short in words and length, this is one of the most renowned prayers addressed to the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Prayer can be lifted up to the Lord Jesus and contemplated in His Sacred Heart, in any time, any place, any circumstance, and irrespective of our moods, be they good or bad!

As surprising as this may seem, only once does the Lord Jesus describe the characteristics of His most Sacred Heart, to be found in the Gospel of Saint Matthew. The Lord says:  “Come to me all of you who find life burdensome and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart…” (Mt 11:28-30)

As baptized Christians all of us, irrespective of age, culture, living circumstances, and even our past life, are challenged to follow in the footsteps of Christ; if you like, the imitation of Christ.

Of all the virtues that Jesus preached, practiced and lived out to the highest degree, charity wins first place. However, the virtue of humility has a very prominent place in the Life of Christ. Humility should be a virtue that characterizes our life’s pattern.

What is humility? The virtue of humility is not easy to define, much less to practice. A working definition for humility might be the following: “A humble person recognizes that all the good he has done and will do comes from God. On the contrary, the humble person recognizes that all the evil he has done is his own doing.” Saint Teresa of Avila will go so far as to define humility in one word: TRUTH! Humility is the truth as to who we are, what we do, and what God sees in us! Saint Teresa of Avila will remind us that humility is walking in the truth.

Saint Augustine, the Doctor of Grace quoted in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, has this to say about humility: “Should I know myself, I would know you, O Lord. Only when humans acknowledge their bad news, will they become ready, glad, grateful recipients of the Good News.” (CCC # 2540)

Even the greatest of God’s creation, the Blessed Virgin Mary, endowed with so many graces, acknowledged that all that she had was a pure gift from God. In her Magnificat Mary proclaims: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. The Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name….” (Lk 1:47,49) Mary attributes all the good that she has and has done to the goodness of God Himself.

Therefore, given that the virtue of humility has such powerful effects on the persons who embrace it and practice it, as well as on those who are in contact with those who are truly humble of heart, let us expound upon ways in which we can attain the virtue of humility.

ROAD-MAP AND SIGNPOST FOR THE VIRTUE OF HUMILITY…

1. BEG FOR THE GRACE. 

Saint Ignatius of Loyola in the Spiritual Exercises constantly invites us to imitate the beggars. That is to say: let us beg for the grace to attain the virtue of humility. The Blind Bartimaeus begged for sight; let us beg for humility.

2. ACCEPT CORRECTIONS. 

Even though it really does go against the grain. None of us enjoy receiving corrections, in theology called fraternal corrections—due to our inherent pride. However, when God allows someone to correct us, instead of bristling and becoming defensive, or even attacking that person, we should humbly listen and strive to correct within us what needs to be corrected, and accept submissively the person who has meted out the correction. Ouch!

3. SPIRITUAL DIRECTION. 

Nobody can direct themself adequately for the simple reason that we all have blind spots. For that reason Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint John of the Cross, Saint Ignatius of Loyola and many other saints insist upon the indispensable character of having a spiritual director to pave the way and help us through the meandering valleys, briars, thickets, and potholes on the road to heaven. Humility requires that we submit our judgment to someone with more experience in the spiritual life—that is to say, a good spiritual director.

4. CONFESSOR. 

Somewhat related to Spiritual Direction is that of having a stable Confessor to whom we can lay bare our conscience and the state of our soul. We should also submit in humble obedience to the advice of our confessor. These are stepping stones to grow in humility.

5. ACCEPT ADVICE. 

If it is our determined purpose in life to make our own decisions at all times and places, without consulting others for frequent and helpful advice, then we are paving the way to fall into many pitfalls and maybe even off the cliff. Accepting advice from others is not easy but often helpful and even necessary to grow in truth and humility.

6. ACCEPTING HUMILIATIONS. 

Most of us will cringe at the mere notion of the following, but it is a sure means of growing in humility: humbly accepting humiliations when God allows us to be visited by them. They will come, there is no doubt! However, to accept them demands God’s grace, as well our acceptance of God’s grace that comes with the humiliations.

7. HUMBLE SERVICE TOWARDS OTHERS. 

At the Last Supper, not only did Jesus serve the Apostles, but He also knelt down, girded Himself with a towel and humbly washed their feet. This was the chore of a slave in the time of Jesus. Once we put ourselves not in the front, but in the back ready and willing to serve others, then we will have made huge strides in advancing in the virtue of humility.

8. TEMPTED TO PRIDE: CALL TO MIND OUR PAST FAILURES. 

The devil never goes on vacation and often he will attempt to puff us up with pride. A most efficacious remedy when the winds of pride are buffeting at the door of our heart is to call to mind the many times that we have fallen morally, sinned seriously, and God has so quickly and mercifully forgiven us! When we feel tempted to elevate ourselves in pride, we should remember our own moral misery and this will maintain us in humility.

9. CONTEMPLATE THE LIFE OF CHRIST: OUR WAY, TRUTH, AND LIFE.   

Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen has preached on the humility of Christ in three different aspects of His Life and Presence. The Life of Christ can truly serve as a model for us but most especially in the realm of the virtue of humility. The following are the three different aspects or dimensions of humility in the Life of Christ.

a) THE INCARNATION.  By this is meant that Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, actually became man. This indeed was a huge humiliation—the lowering, the debasing of Himself for love of us.

b) THE PASSION OF CHRIST.  Sheen, with his typical eloquence, preaches on the astounding humility of Christ manifested with stunning clarity in all the dimensions of His Passion—His Agony in the Garden, Scourging at the Pillar, Crowing with thorns, Carrying of the Cross, bitter Crucifixion, the insults launched at Him upon the cross up until His dying breath. Every aspect and detail of the Passion of Jesus reflected a most profound humility.

c) JESUS’ REAL PRESENCE IN THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS AND BLESSED SACRAMENT.  A still greater, widespread and universal manifestation of humility is related to Jesus’ REAL PRESENCE in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Blessed Sacrament. How often is Mass offered on Sundays and huge numbers of Catholics decide not to show up. Then there are those who show up and do not pay attention to what is going on in the Mass. Worse yet, there are Catholics who attend Mass but receive Holy Communion unworthily in the state of mortal sin. Finally, there are Churches, Chapels, and Sanctuaries where Jesus is truly present in these sacred places but no one comes, even to make a short visit. Not only is this painful to Jesus, but it is also very humiliating. Jesus willing undergoes this humiliation for love of us, and as an example for us of the virtue of humility.

10. FREQUENT SACRAMENTAL CONFESSION. 

Finally, it must be mentioned that the well-prepared and assiduous practice of frequent Confession can definitely be a springboard for launching us into the deep ocean of humility. Having to examine our conscience and recognize our sins is humbling enough. However, to go to the priest—face-to-face or behind the screen—and admit our moral failures is hard. But at the same time, it is a sure path to growth in humility.

In conclusion, friends in Jesus and Mary, the virtue of humility is indispensable on our highway to Heaven. To be sure, in Hell are Satan, the devils, and all those who died imbued with pride—the vice opposed to the virtue of humility. Whereas in Heaven are only those who embraced humility. In truth, they recognized the greatness of God, their total dependence on God, and their gratitude to God for all His abundant Graces and Gifts. Let us close in our striving for humility by meditating on the words of Saint Peter: “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  (I Peter: 5:5) May Our Lady, the humble servant of the Lord, attain for us a truly humble heart, humble spirit, and humble style of life!

Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH    Mk 7:14-23   Jesus said: “ From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All of these evils come from within and they defile.”

STRATEGY TO CONQUER THE ATTACKS OF THE DEVIL—THE TEN-STEP BATTLE PLAN! By Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

Soldiers study to find the weak point of their enemies so as to attack and conquer. Wrestlers, Boxers also try to discover where their opponents have an opening so as to punch hard or tackle to the ground for the knock-out or countdown. Those engaged in a serious debate study to capture where their opponent has no argument of defense for the verbal debate and victory.

Equally important is the knowledge that we must acquire so as to attack, as well as to defend ourselves, against the deadly assaults of the devil in our spiritual battle, our spiritual wrestling or boxing match.

The wise men of the past insisted on the capital importance of SELF-KNOWLEDGE. The Desert Fathers coined the axiom, short but poignant: KNOW THYSELF! The wise Socrates expressed it in these words: “A life not examined is a life not worth living.” A historian quipped these sage words: “He who does not know History is condemned to repeat the same errors.”

What then is one of the essential elements of making a Good Sacramental Confession? Not simply detecting the sin and confessing it to the priest, but also examining the reason that led to that sin.

Finally, one of the essential hallmarks of Ignatian spirituality is the practice of the classical “Daily Examen.” Saint Ignatius stated forcefully that this practice should never be omitted. By this practice one gets to know with greater clarity and precision the working of God’s grace, the maneuvers of the devil, and a greater self-knowledge.

Therefore, the basic purpose of this essay is not simply to know the tactics of the devil, who in the words of Saint Ignatius is the enemy of our salvation, but also to formulate clear guidelines and practices to conquer the enemy.

In a word, we must formulate a clear spiritual strategy to conquer the presence, the perniciousness, and the power of the devil in our lives.  We should never forget the words that Jesus uses to describe the devil: “He is a liar and a murderer from the beginning.” (Jn 8:44)

TEN STEP STRATEGY TO CONQUER THE DEVIL…

1. IN DESOLATION—USE FOUR PRACTICES TAUGHT BY ST. IGNATIUS. In Rule Six of the Rules for Discernment, Saint Ignatius offers us four practices to use when we find ourselves in the state of desolation—in other words, when we find ourselves sad, discouraged and depressed. These are: prayer, meditation, penance, examination of conscience.

1) PRAY. Pray more rather than less. Prayer conquers the devil!

2) MEDITATE. Read and meditate upon the Word of God. St. Paul calls it a two-edged sword meant for the battle.

3) PENANCE. Jesus states clearly that some devils are cast out only by prayer and fasting.

4) EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE. Find out what is casting you into the state of desolation.

2. KRYPTONITE RULE—PRACTICE THE OPPOSITE VIRTUE.  In desolation the devil aims at our spiritual weak point and he goes for the kill. Get to know yourself; get to know your Kryptonite, your Achilles heel, your point that is most vulnerable. The list of the CAPITAL SINS is the key to self-knowledge. When tempted in that weak-point you must strive to practice the opposite virtue. Below are the Capital Sins and the opposite virtue to be practiced—the Agere Contra.

1) GLUTTONY—THE VIRTUE OF TEMPERANCE IN EATING.

2) LUST—THE VIRTUE OF PURITY OR CHASTITY OF LIFE.

3) AVARICE—THE VIRTUE OF GENEROSITY IN GIVING.

4) SLOTH/LAZINESS—THE VIRTUE OF DILIGENCE IN WORK.

5) ENVY—THE VIRTUE OF ADMIRATION AND GRATITUDE

6) ANGER—THE VIRTUE OF PATIENCE AND MEEKNESS.

7) PRIDE—THE VIRTUE OF HUMILITY.

3. PROCRASTINATION—WORK ETHIC (SHORTNESS OF LIFE!) To overcome the devil of procrastination—put it off until tomorrow, a concrete remedy must be applied. Write out a PLAN OF LIFE and be faithful to it. Ask your Spiritual Director to assist you! This helps to order the disorder in our lives. The Procrastinator lives a disorderly existence.

4. RESENTMENT AND REVENGE—THE PRACTICE OF IMMEDIATE FORGIVENESS AND MERCY. The devil works overtime in bringing up in our mind past hurts and injuries. If we give in to these, then we live an angry and depressed existence. The best remedy is to live the Gospel of Mercy and forgive those who hurt us immediately. The Bible teaches clearly: “Do not let the sun go down on your anger.” (Ephesians 4:26)

5. WORLD OF IMAGES—TEMPTATION TO VIEW PORNOGRAPHY—GOOD IMAGES!!! The wolf is on the prowl, better said, many wolves are on the prowl related to the world of images and most specifically the reality of pornography. Surround yourself—in your room, car, and home with beautiful images of Jesus, Mary, the angels and the saints. Therefore, when tempted to go down the dark and ugly path of porn, these beautiful images serve as a reminder of our dignity and our destiny. We are Temples of the Holy Spirit; our destiny, Heaven with God forever!

6. LAZINESS/SLOTH/INDOLENCE—THE ETHIC OF HARD WORK, SHORTNESS OF LIFE. How true the saying: “Idleness is the workshop of the devil.” If you have nothing to do, the devil will give you plenty to do with him and for him. Meditate on how short our life is on earth and that we will be judged on our actions. Let us work hard in this life, in imitation of the saints, and then we can rest forever in Heaven.

7. BAD COMPANY CORRUPTS MORALS—CHOOSE ONE OR A FEW GOOD FRIENDS. The Bible teaches us that a true friend is indeed a treasure and a brass wall of defense. On the contrary, a bad friend or friends could be our ruin, our demise. Bad friends lead us into sin; good friends lead us to Jesus, our Best of Friends, and eventually Heaven. Once we are aware of a noxious and poisonous friendship—formed by the devil—this relationship must be terminated immediately.

8. WANDERING EYES (REMEMBER THE SIN OF DAVID!)—LIVE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD. If we have the tendency to allow our eyes to wander where they should not be going, then we should form the habit of living in THE PRESENCE OF GOD! If we are keenly aware of God’s eyes looking at us with love and concern, it will be much more difficult to wander and fix our eyes on what is offensive to God.

9. DEVIL OF DISOBEDIENCE—OBEY WILLINGLY AND PROMPTLY!  The devil sinned due to disobedience. He cried out in rebellion against God: “I will not serve!” Therefore, whenever we are tempted to imitate the devil in his disobedience, we must call to mind the obedience of Jesus and Mary to the will of God and obey promptly! Remember the words of St. Paul: “Jesus was obedient even to death—even to death on the cross.” (Phil 2:8)

10. DEVIL OF COLDNESS AND REJECTION OF MARY—TENDERNESS AND LOVE FOR MARY!!! One of the tactics of the devil is to seduce and trick people to leave the Catholic Religion and enter into a Religious Sect or Protestantism. Almost immediately, these false religions will attack the Blessed Virgin Mary or at least show great coldness or indifference towards Mary. If tempted in one way or another to reject Mary or to show Mary coldness or indifference, then we should do the opposite. How? Read a good book on Mary. Enthrone a beautiful image of Mary in your room. Pray the most Holy Rosary. Cultivate filial devotion to Mary!

In conclusion, we have concluded our mini-course on the Strategy that we should implement in our battle against the devil in our lives. Indeed, not only must we know the tactics and the temptations of the devil, the enemy of our salvation, but also on how to react and put out the fiery darts of the devil. May Our Lady help us, by her powerful intercession, to crush the ugly, infernal head of the devil in our lives so as to serve Our Lord and Savior Jesus the King!