Fr. Z expressed this sentiment back in the middle of the synodical proceedings in Rome on October 14th, but it's timely ever as it was then, as I'm increasingly convinced.
So we simply reiterate here what he said then: the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (physical). They include the following: Go to Confession. Pray the Rosary. Go to reverent celebrations of the Holy Mass (Father, as you know, stresses the Extraordinary Form). Fast. Offer up mortifications.
Now, more than ever, it is important not to let yourself stray into habitual sins, which emotionally cut you off from God and objectively cut you off from the graces of the Sacraments. Sin not only weakens you; it weakens the Church. Which is why the Sacrament of Reconciliation involves resolving your alienation from God but also reconciling yourself with the Church. Stay close to your Confessor(s).
Oremus invicem.
Cardinal Burke called for the praying of the Holy Face chaplet before and during the synod. I see no reason to discontinue daily practice of this powerful and pertinent (pertinacious?) devotion throughout the next crucial year: http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/chaplets/chap07.htm.
ReplyDeleteIt is far more constructive to pray for than to pounce on your foes.
ReplyDeleteI think I agree with you, Ben; though I would want to be clear what one meant. By "foes" for example. Does one mean the Devil or Christians who disagree with you, or someone who is mendaciously twisting the truth to look like what it's not? And likewise with "pounce."
ReplyDeleteBut all that aside, I'm inclined to think what you mean is that one must pray for one's enemies as well as for HMC and one's friends, and engage the battle on a spiritual level; and with that I agree.
St. Catherine of Siena
ReplyDelete"We've had enough of exhortations to be silent! Cry out with a hundred thousand tongues. I see that the world is rotten because of silence."
Pope Felix III
"Not to oppose error is to approve it, and not to defend truth is to suppress it, and indeed to neglect to confound evil men when we can do it, is no less a sin than to encourage them."
Pope Leo I
"He that sees another in error and endeavors not to correct it, testifies himself to be in error."
Pope St. Pius V
"All the evils of the world are due to lukewarm Catholics."
Pope St. Pius X
"All the strength of Satan's reign is due to the easy going weakness of Catholics."
1 Timothy 5:20
"When they sin rebuke them in the presence of all that the rest also may have fear."
Proverbs 17:15
"He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, both are abominable before God."
There is a false idea that it is more important to pray for our enemies than it is to confront and defeat them; that is, BOTH are required of real Catholics
Jesus came with a sword