It had been three and a half weeks since I had been
to confession. This past weekend, the Lord explained that He was having me wait so I could concentrate on finishing the
pro-life book He commissioned. Over the past three weeks, the devil has waged an all out war on chastity, patience, poverty, and fraternal charity.
As usual, I knew the Lord was up to something good. + + + But there is so much to learn, and it is sometimes very difficult and painful living in the world and battling it, the flesh, and the devil. With each passing day, I was even more eager to receive the priceless graces God dispenses to humanity through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
One powerful case in point why God's grace is absolutely necessary: it's not even Advent yet, and already the faithful are forced to travel from one battlefield to another throughout each day
because the wicked spirit of consumerism has turned every place one
goes, and I mean EVERY PLACE one goes, into marketplaces.
Oh how painful to be able to see the carnage everywhere as the greedy are lured into even more emptiness, and the compassionate are lured into the same evil by constant selling for the sake of their service to the Lord.
How easily the devil manipulates us; God have mercy on us all!
What have we become. All of us. What have all of us become.
"Lord," I asked Him from the depths of my assaulted soul yesterday morning, "WHAT are you trying to teach me?"
His lesson was pro-life, and it focused specifically on chastity and charity. Why?
"...unless the practice of charity and chastity is restored not only is there no stopping of abortion, this crime will only increase in intensity, and the number of innocent victims beyond all human calculation." ~ Servant of God, Father John A. Hardon, S.J.
Late that afternoon, during a Holy Hour, Jesus left the Tabernacle and came to the back of the church to console His sorrowful daughter, gave me a hug, and sang a song I had sung for Him just the day before ("When I Look in Your Eyes" from the film Dr. Dolittle). Then, He treated me to a very nurturing hot supper.
Late last night, I asked Jesus if He wanted me to go to Confession in the morning. I was eager to receive the graces needed to fight the ongoing battles. What a beautiful moment that was when He consented, and then He helped me write an examination of conscience.
This morning, while praying in the chapel before confessions began, Jesus of the Divine Mercy came over, bent down, and comforted me again with a hug. Then, He knelt down next to me and guarded me until it was my turn to "enter through the narrow gate." Sometimes the devil assaults me while I wait for my turn in the confessional, but this morning Jesus made it a point to be by my side following a hard-fought three week battle against the forces of darkness.
If you ever doubt God's tremendous love for you, meditate on Christ's Passion. Mark my words, He loves you and is always with you, ready to help you, guide you, console you, forgive you, and love you. All you have to do is let Him!
Everything God does is with our eternal good in mind, and He wants us to be happy and holy. He wants to love us, and so much of His love is being rejected.
Through all the joys and sorrows of life, through all the victories and defeats, Jesus tells us, "There is no situation in which I am absent."
He wants us to have faith, but not just say "We believe." He wants us to be PROFOUNDLY Catholic. He wants us to be instruments of His love and channels of His grace.
The devil seeks to sabotage all this goodness, and tempts us to think that God doesn't hear us or care about our problems. We are vulnerable to giving in and believing this lie when we focus on accomplishing our own agenda instead of striving to accomplish God's will.
Around my house, things and people constantly break, and it's been one plumbing, appliance repair, or medical bill after another for years. Since I've been too sick to do much of anything, we have had to hire people to do work around the house and yard.
The Lord recently explained why all that has been allowed to occur, lest I be tempted to think He doesn't care. Jesus said that although these things appeared to be hardships, He was having them occur with very good reason. The reason? For greater Divine intimacy!
He granted this insight because of my efforts to grow closer to Him.
Poor health, lots of bills, and a very vigilant Lord have been detaching my soul from so many worldly things that are meaningless for my eternal welfare. God is so incredibly good! In this way, He said, "I am keeping you very close to Me."
These personal details are being shared with you at our Lord's request, because He wants you to believe in Him, know Him, trust in Him, accept His love, love Him in return, and share His love with others. He wants your relationship with Him to be deeply personal and very meaningful. He wants you to live a holy life, guide others to Him, and spend eternity unified with Him in heaven.
Don't ever just be Catholic. Instead, be PROFOUNDLY Catholic. God is so in love with you!!
Which leads us back to the Sacrament of Divine Intimacy. Don't ever be tempted to believe that it doesn't matter whether or not you go to confession. God instituted the Sacrament of Reconciliation, elevated confessing to a priest to a Sacrament, and wants you to go, often.
Some Confession Catholicism 101
Here's my confession from this morning, shared at the Lord's request, as a guide for those who could use one. It is just an example.As usual, I knew the Lord was up to something good. + + + But there is so much to learn, and it is sometimes very difficult and painful living in the world and battling it, the flesh, and the devil. With each passing day, I was even more eager to receive the priceless graces God dispenses to humanity through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
One powerful case in point why God's grace is absolutely necessary: it's not even Advent yet, and already the faithful are forced to travel from one battlefield to another throughout each day
because the wicked spirit of consumerism has turned every place one
goes, and I mean EVERY PLACE one goes, into marketplaces.Oh how painful to be able to see the carnage everywhere as the greedy are lured into even more emptiness, and the compassionate are lured into the same evil by constant selling for the sake of their service to the Lord.
How easily the devil manipulates us; God have mercy on us all!
What have we become. All of us. What have all of us become.
"Lord," I asked Him from the depths of my assaulted soul yesterday morning, "WHAT are you trying to teach me?"
His lesson was pro-life, and it focused specifically on chastity and charity. Why?
"...unless the practice of charity and chastity is restored not only is there no stopping of abortion, this crime will only increase in intensity, and the number of innocent victims beyond all human calculation." ~ Servant of God, Father John A. Hardon, S.J.
Late that afternoon, during a Holy Hour, Jesus left the Tabernacle and came to the back of the church to console His sorrowful daughter, gave me a hug, and sang a song I had sung for Him just the day before ("When I Look in Your Eyes" from the film Dr. Dolittle). Then, He treated me to a very nurturing hot supper.
Late last night, I asked Jesus if He wanted me to go to Confession in the morning. I was eager to receive the graces needed to fight the ongoing battles. What a beautiful moment that was when He consented, and then He helped me write an examination of conscience.
This morning, while praying in the chapel before confessions began, Jesus of the Divine Mercy came over, bent down, and comforted me again with a hug. Then, He knelt down next to me and guarded me until it was my turn to "enter through the narrow gate." Sometimes the devil assaults me while I wait for my turn in the confessional, but this morning Jesus made it a point to be by my side following a hard-fought three week battle against the forces of darkness.If you ever doubt God's tremendous love for you, meditate on Christ's Passion. Mark my words, He loves you and is always with you, ready to help you, guide you, console you, forgive you, and love you. All you have to do is let Him!
Everything God does is with our eternal good in mind, and He wants us to be happy and holy. He wants to love us, and so much of His love is being rejected.
Through all the joys and sorrows of life, through all the victories and defeats, Jesus tells us, "There is no situation in which I am absent."
He wants us to have faith, but not just say "We believe." He wants us to be PROFOUNDLY Catholic. He wants us to be instruments of His love and channels of His grace.
The devil seeks to sabotage all this goodness, and tempts us to think that God doesn't hear us or care about our problems. We are vulnerable to giving in and believing this lie when we focus on accomplishing our own agenda instead of striving to accomplish God's will.
Around my house, things and people constantly break, and it's been one plumbing, appliance repair, or medical bill after another for years. Since I've been too sick to do much of anything, we have had to hire people to do work around the house and yard.
The Lord recently explained why all that has been allowed to occur, lest I be tempted to think He doesn't care. Jesus said that although these things appeared to be hardships, He was having them occur with very good reason. The reason? For greater Divine intimacy!
He granted this insight because of my efforts to grow closer to Him.
Poor health, lots of bills, and a very vigilant Lord have been detaching my soul from so many worldly things that are meaningless for my eternal welfare. God is so incredibly good! In this way, He said, "I am keeping you very close to Me."
These personal details are being shared with you at our Lord's request, because He wants you to believe in Him, know Him, trust in Him, accept His love, love Him in return, and share His love with others. He wants your relationship with Him to be deeply personal and very meaningful. He wants you to live a holy life, guide others to Him, and spend eternity unified with Him in heaven.
Don't ever just be Catholic. Instead, be PROFOUNDLY Catholic. God is so in love with you!!
Which leads us back to the Sacrament of Divine Intimacy. Don't ever be tempted to believe that it doesn't matter whether or not you go to confession. God instituted the Sacrament of Reconciliation, elevated confessing to a priest to a Sacrament, and wants you to go, often.
Some Confession Catholicism 101
Ask the Holy Spirit, who knows you best, for enlightenment as you examine your conscience. Make your confession personal, meaningful, and powerful. Don't hold anything back. Never, ever take this vital Sacrament for granted, and don't ever give in to the devil's temptation to stay away from confession. You will get as much out of this Sacrament as you put into it. Remember to pray for those whose prayers have helped lead you closer to the Blessed Trinity. Prepare to be absolutely astounded; God is so in love with you!
Today's Confession
Sign of the Cross. Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. My last confession was three and a half weeks
ago.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit!
My Father, Spouse of My Soul, and My Guide,
I am so happy to be here!
I have wanted to come sooner, especially after the devil threw that horrible
spiritual grenade, but once again You have had me wait for another three week
interval.
As You explained yesterday, You wanted me to be able to focus on finishing
the book first. I thank You for your consideration, Lord! And thank You for explaining how these recent
assaults of the devil tie in with the pro-life work. I know You have other assignments in mind and
await Your instruction on what to accomplish and when.
The torments of the devil have caused me a great deal of
sorrow these last three weeks, more so than usual, because of his wicked and
unrelenting temptations against purity, to hate, and to despair as he mocks all
things Catholic and holy.
Sometimes You had
me fight him, and other times You came to intercede for me right away. As You said, there is no situation in which
You are absent, and the devil has not won although he has tried so hard. Without You I can’t fight these battles,
especially while so tired and suffering on the Cross at night.
Please help me to mentally manage his inconceivable nightmare of manipulation and vulgarity, and I thank You for the work You are accomplishing in my soul, for me and for the benefit of others as well.
Sometimes You had
me fight him, and other times You came to intercede for me right away. As You said, there is no situation in which
You are absent, and the devil has not won although he has tried so hard. Without You I can’t fight these battles,
especially while so tired and suffering on the Cross at night. Please help me to mentally manage his inconceivable nightmare of manipulation and vulgarity, and I thank You for the work You are accomplishing in my soul, for me and for the benefit of others as well.
Is my soul so troubled because I don’t trust in You,
Jesus? If so, I am very sorry. But I don’t think that is mostly the
case. My problem is I remain too
attached to my own will. And it is a
challenge in my condition and with the circumstances being what they are to
process what You are showing me as You continue to detach me from the things of
this world.
It’s painful sometimes, Lord, because so many things around me have been stamped by Your almighty Hand with the word “MEANINGLESS,” and because the people around me don’t always understand. I don’t want to harm anyone, realizing that serving You comes first, but sometimes that happens. Please keep working with me, sweet and gentle Jesus! I know Your plans are always best. Thank You for coming to console me in church yesterday. I love You.
It’s painful sometimes, Lord, because so many things around me have been stamped by Your almighty Hand with the word “MEANINGLESS,” and because the people around me don’t always understand. I don’t want to harm anyone, realizing that serving You comes first, but sometimes that happens. Please keep working with me, sweet and gentle Jesus! I know Your plans are always best. Thank You for coming to console me in church yesterday. I love You.
I am sorry for having offended You by losing my temper, for
the times I have been frustrated with myself or others, for the times I have
been unjustifiably angry, impatient, and for the times I have spoken to others
harshly, especially my son Nick the other day, who was so gracious and accepted
my apology. I apologize for the times I failed to cooperate with Your grace and for any harm I have caused others by my behavior. I am sorry for the times I have set a bad example for others, or for any time my actions have caused others to sin.
I am sorry for my worldliness, lack of self mastery, for being self centered, and for my terrible
pride, and lack of humility and fraternal charity.
Oh how much I need Your grace to listen for and hear Your
inspirations, cooperate with Your most perfect will, to grow in holiness, and
manage the assaults of the devil along the way.
Thank You for Your boundless compassion and Your mercy,
Lord. Please extend any benefits You so
generously see fit to grant to my soul to my brothers and sisters also,
especially those most in need of Your mercy.
Please convert sinners, assist the dying, and liberate the
suffering souls in purgatory, especially Belinda and (name), if they are there.
I give myself entirely to You, and promise to love and honor
You, all the days of my life.
Act of Contrition, followed by Absolution, and a joyful "Thank you!" whispered to my confessor. (smile)
Act of Contrition, followed by Absolution, and a joyful "Thank you!" whispered to my confessor. (smile)
The Sacrament of Christ's Peace:
five minutes that may forever change the importance you place on going to Confession:
Don't forget that the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist are inseparable.
Go to Holy Mass as often as you are able to.
God longs for your love!!
"O Jesus, I wish to receive Holy Communion often - daily, if possible, at the Holy Sacrifice - so that the power of Thy grace may conquer my pride and so that because of Thy presence I may enjoy Thy peace and spread it among others." ~ Father Lawrence G. Lovasik, S.V.D., A Novena of Holy Communions (Rockford, IL: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc., 1995), pp. 31-32.
More information you need to know to fight the spiritual battles and win:
Parts I - IV: Tired of Being on the Defensive Against the Devil? Launch a Spiritual Offensive Instead The link also
includes: Do You Know What Weapons You Need to Fight the Spiritual
Battles Against Evil and Win? Perhaps Some of Them May Surprise You;
Suggestions for Making Your Confessions More Powerful, Intimate, and
Meaningful; The Sacrament of Reconciliation, Penance, Conversion,
Forgiveness, Divine Intimacy, Christ's Peace, Healing, Humility, and
Catholic Courage.
God is at work in you!
