Comments on: On Spiritual Warfare

By: JosephMary

JosephMary — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 04:42:35 +0000

2 Cor 12:9-10
I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Dear James,
This above passage came immediately to mind when I read what you wrote: “I am not strong nor holy enough to turn to Our Lord and our Holy Mother as often as I need to.”

One need not be strong nor holy to cry out to God or our Holy Mother! It is the little ones who have the most need of the Divine Mercy and aid. No soul who cries out will go unnoticed.

Have faith! Yes, all who may read of this conversation will pray for your needs and intentions, I am certain, as will I.

Ave Maria!

By: James

James — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 03:57:27 +0000

Dear Sr. Joseph-Mary M.,

I would like to thank you for your kind response. I often get lambasted when I post something of this tone! As you can tell, I am growing very tired at times and long so much myself, for the comfort of community here in this life, and I am not strong nor holy enough to turn to Our Lord and our Holy Mother as often as I need to.

I am hoping you might pray for the man who wrote this post and for my children and wife. God is merciful and just, and if my heart does not harden perhaps we will be saved from this deception that we are tangled up in now. In the meantime, I will do my best to remember, minute by minute, the last sentence of your response. I will have to change one word, though, and that is from “remain” to “be made” strong, because I doubt that I have really ever been strong in any of this to begin with.

I see from your writing that you are familiar with some of the wayward teachings that are so very commonplace here in our general area. If you will, I would greatly appreciate your prayers for us, as these perversions of the faith are quite common here and quite vehemently defended by those who adhere to them, many adherents being in positions of authority within my current diocese. This have done “grave harm” to my children, as the CCC teaches and though I admit to feeling worried for my own well-being, I am mostly worried, hopefully, for the souls of my two children and wife, who have been and are being lead down the wide road by these false or bended teachers and practitioners.

I will thank Our Lady for your words this evening, and ask her to continue to guide you. And I ask for your prayers, Sister Joseph-Mary and thank you for your help.

In Jesus through Mary.

By: JosephMary

JosephMary — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 21:13:46 +0000

Dear James,
“Unless you do penance, you shall likewise perish.” (Luke 13:5)
also Our dear Blessed Lady at Fatima requested we do penance.

Yes, you are right in that few nowadays know to do penance nor is it hardly mentioned. So those who do know its importance in the spiritual life and for souls should try to incorporate it into their lives. It need not be greatly noticeable or harsh even (think St. Therese and the 10 small sacrifices a day).

Our Lord Himself promised those who are faithful in following Him that they would know persecution; it all comes together. It is indeed not the easy way but it is the way that leads to Paradise; it is the broad and pleasant way that is more to be feared in a sense.

I know the condition of things; sometimes we just wish we could ignore the growing darkness but you and I and all faithful souls are called to be points of light. We cannot be turned back because it is hard or because of the wolves; we do have The Good Shepherd on our side! Do not be discouraged! Even if we are the ‘odd men out’ and suffer for our faith, really our blessings are often in the shape of our crosses. Hang in there and ask Our Lady to obtain for you the strength you need to remain strong.

Ave Maria!
Sr. Joseph-Mary M. fti

By: James

James — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 13:53:06 +0000

Unfortunately, we live in an age in which too many priests and bishops have been poorly educated, taught to turn a blind eye to mortal sin and even to lead, in subtle and at times not so subtle ways, parishioners into lives that focus mainly on pleasure, position, and social belonging. One can not simply dismiss the concerns of the faithful by telling us to do penance. The ones doing penance are being persecuted more and more by the power brokers in the Diocese than by the outside world. The Church has, in many dioceses, become corrupted and lost in a sewer of self-pleasure and self-importance. Yes, yes, we must do penance, but we also must not be led to believe that we can turn a blind eye to Satan working within the Church and his attempts to tell people that evil is good and good is evil. If a faithful parishioner does not play along with these wolves in sheeps clothing, it will go very badly for him or her. They are told that mortal sin is not really that bad, that “we are all sinners” and that the culture of death is just “the way things are” and we must learn to accept and go along with it. Rotten, through and through. No not always, but far too often. They live to please those who have wordly power and to ive lives of pleasure. Meanwhile the humble they persecute with hatred and subtle attacks. God help us all.