Five Ploys of Satan

Five Ploys of Satan (I received it as an email):

Doubt - Tempts us to question God's Word and his goodness, forgiveness, and love

Discouragement - Tempts us to focus intently on our problems rather than entrusting them to God's care

Diversion - Tempts us to see the wrong things as attractive so that we will want them more than the right things

Defeat - Tempts us to feel like failure so that we don't even try

Delay - Tempts us to procrastinate so that things never get done

Application:

Reflect on these ploys of Satan, and if you find that he has darkened your life on any of these counts, lift up the situation to Our Lady in prayer.

Recall her advice on binding the evil one: "Put on the armor of battle. With the rosary in your hand, defeat him!"


St. Michael, Prince of the Heavenly Armies, pray for us!

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St. Agatha

Memorial (1969 Calendar): February 5
Double (1954 Calendar): February 5

Today the Church celebrates St. Agatha, who was martyred by Quintanus, the governor of Sicily, who tried in vain to force her to consent to sin. She died in Catania, Sicily on February 5, 251 AD. Her name appears in the Roman Canon. Her martyrdom is described below:

It is impossible to write a historically reliable account of St. Agatha's life. The "Acts" of her martyrdom are legendary, dating from the sixth century. 

According to these sources Agatha was a Sicilian virgin of noble extraction. Quintianus, governor of Sicily, became deeply enamored of her; but she rejected his advances. As a result she was charged with being a Christian and brought before his tribunal. To the question concerning her origin she replied: "I am noble-born, of a distinguished family, as all my relatives will attest". When asked why she lived the servile life of a Christian, she answered: "I am a handmaid of Christ, and that is why I bear the outward appearance of a slave; yet this is the highest nobility, to be a slave to Christ". The governor threatened her with the most dreadful tortures if she did not renounce Christ. Agatha countered: "If you threaten me with wild beasts, know that at the Name of Christ they grow tame; if you use fire, from heaven angels will drop healing dew on me".

After being tortured, "Agatha went to prison radiant with joy and with head held high as though invited to a festive banquet. And she commended her agony to the Lord in prayer". The next day, as she again stood before the judge, she declared: "If you do not cause my body to be torn to pieces by the hangmen, my soul cannot enter the Lord's paradise with the martyrs. She was then stretched on the rack, burned with red-hot irons, and despoiled of her breasts. During these tortures she prayed: "For love of chastity I am made to hang from a rack. Help me, O Lord my God, as they knife my breasts. Agatha rebuked the governor for his barbarity: "Godless, cruel, infamous tyrant, are you not ashamed to despoil a woman of that by which your own mother nursed you?"

Returning to prison, she prayed: "You have seen, O Lord, my struggle, how I fought in the place of combat; but because I would not obey the commands of rulers, my breasts were lacerated". In the night there appeared to her a venerable old man, the apostle Peter, with healing remedies. Agatha, ever delicately modest, hesitated to show him her wounds. "I am the apostle of Christ; distrust me not, my daughter". To which she replied: "I have never used earthly medicines on my body. I cling to the Lord Jesus Christ, who renews all things by His word". She was miraculously healed by St. Peter: "Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, I give you praise because by Your apostle You have restored my breasts". Throughout the night a light illumined the dungeon. When the guards fled in terror, her fellow prisoners urged her to escape but she refused: "Having received help from the Lord, I will persevere in confessing Him who healed me and comforted me."

Four days later she was again led before the judge. He, of course, was amazed over her cure. Nevertheless, he insisted that she worship the gods; which prompted another confession of faith in Christ. Then by order of the governor, Agatha was rolled over pieces of sharp glass and burning coals. At that moment the whole city was rocked by a violent earthquake. Two walls collapsed, burying two of the governor's friends in the debris. Fearing a popular uprising, he ordered Agatha, half dead, to be returned to prison. Here she offered her dying prayer: "Blessed Agatha stood in the midst of the prison and with outstretched arms prayed to the Lord: O Lord Jesus Christ, good Master, I give You thanks that You granted me victory over the executioners' tortures. Grant now that I may happily dwell in Your never-ending glory." Thereupon she died.

A year after her death the city of Catania was in great peril from an eruption on Mount Etna. Pagans, too, were numbered among those who fled in terror to the saint's grave. Her veil was taken and held against the onrushing flames, and suddenly the danger ceased. Her grave is venerated at Catania in Sicily.

— The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch

Prayer:

O God, Who among the other marvels of Thy power, hast granted even to the weaker sex the victory of martyrdom: grant that we who celebrate the heavenly birthday of blessed Agatha, Thy Virgin and Martyr, may by her example draw nearer to Thee. Through our Lord.

Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

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A Patron Saint for Dissident Catholics - France's Abbe Pierre

"A Patron Saint for Dissident Catholics - France's Abbe Pierre" is an article from LifeSiteNews detailing the dissent of Abbe Pierre, in regards to homosexuality, women priests, and he even questioned the divinity of Christ Himself. Although he may have been loved by many and voted as France's most popular person, he broke his vows and questioned Christian Truths. He died on January 22, 2007.

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The Purpose of Sunday

2 Timothy 2:8, 11-13

"Remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of David, was raised from the dead. You can depend on this: If we have died with Him, we shall also live with Him; If we hold out to the end, we shall also reign with Him. But if we deny Him, He will deny us. If we are unfaithful He will still remain faithful, for He cannot deny Himself."

Today is the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time as well as Septuagesima Sunday.

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Sequence for Candlemas

This is the Sequence for Candlemas, sung to Dominican chant by the Dominican friars at Blackfriars, Oxford.

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Feast of Candlemas

Today the Church celebrates Candlemas, also called the Presentation of Our Lord as well as the Purification of Our Lady. See my post from last year for information about this important feast.

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Is Bad Language a Sin?

Q: Is using inappropriate language sinful?

A: Yes. Using inappropriate language is sinful. However, let's look at each segment of the all-encompassing term of "inappropriate language". These segments include using God's name in vain, cursing, blaspheming, and profanity.

The second Commandment specifically forbids using God’s name in vain: “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain” (Ex 20:7; Dt 5:11). Therefore, one of the three criteria for a mortal sin is clearly in place – it is a serious sin. If the other two conditions are in place – deliberately doing the action and knowledge that it is wrong – then taking God’s name in vain is a mortal sin, which deprives the soul of sanctifying grace. Saying “O my [God’s name]” without reason and in a vain manner is using God’s name in vain. And, if a person dies in mortal sin, he/she will indeed go to Hell.

Names are greatly important as Sacred Scripture reveals in Revelations 2:17, 3:5, 3:12, and 22:4. The name given to the Lord, however, is above every other name (Ph. 2:10-11). In the Old Testament, “Out of respect for the holiness of God, the people of Israel [did] not pronounce His name [Yahweh]. In the reading of Sacred Scripture, the reveal name is replaced by the divine title “Lord”. It is under this title that the divinity of Jesus will be acclaimed: ‘Jesus is Lord’” (CCC 209). In the Gospels, Jesus’ divine name is mentioned numerous times including Matthew 1:21, 7:22, 18:20; Luke 1:31; Mark 9:38, 16:17; and John 14:13. Thus, Jesus’ name is deserving of all praise, and taking God’s name in vain is a mortal sin.

Cursing is likewise a mortal sin. Cursing is defined as calling down evil from God usually by invoking God’s holy name. Using such horrible expressions, the person calls on God to send a soul to Hell and/or inflict punishment on a person. How can we actually do such a horrendous thing – ask God to send a soul to Hell? Cursing is quite clearly also a mortal sin.

Blasphemy is “a contempt for God, expressed in thought, word or action.” As the Catechism of the Catholic Church clearly states: “The second commandment forbids the abuse of God’s name, i.e., every improper use of the names of God, Jesus, but also of the Virgin Mary and all the saints…It consists in uttering against God –inwardly or outwardly – words of hatred, reproach, or defiance; in speaking ill of God; in failing in respect toward him in one’s speech; in misusing God’s name. St. James condemns those ‘who blaspheme that honorable name [of Jesus] by which you are called’” (CCC 2146, 2148). The CCC continues by stating, “The prohibition of blasphemy extends to language against Christ’s Church, the saints, and sacred things. It is also blasphemous to make use of God’s name to cover up criminal practices, to reduce peoples to servitude, to torture persons or put them to death…Blasphemy is contrary to the respect due to God and His holy name. It is in itself a grave sin” (CCC 2148). Thus, with such a clear message, blasphemy must always be stopped because it is a mortal sin.

And finally, we are forced to ask ourselves if profanity, like the three proceeding concerns is a mortal sin. And profanity can indeed by a mortal sin if done with great anger against another person. Language is a gift from God. It should be used wisely and not laden with profanities that are impolite, vulgar, and negative. We should always avoid profanity too and live following the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints. They have reached Heaven, if we imitate them, we too shall reach the throne of God.

I conclude with words of admonishment from Sacred Scripture: “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, his religion is vain” (James 1:26).

Sources:

Saunders, Rev. William. “Why is bad language a sin?” Arlington Catholic Herald.

Walsh, Monsignor Vincent M. The Ten Commandments Merion Station, PA: Key of David Publications, 2000.

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St. Brigid

Today the Church in Ireland celebrates the life of St. Brigid. See my post from last year for more information on St. Brigid of Ireland.

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Pope Benedict XVI: Tighten up Annulment Criteria

I am extremely pleased to read that Pope Benedict XVI has called for Vatican Judges to tighten up the criteria in granting annulments. This follows a report that states 69 annulments were granted in 2005 for truly insufficient reasons including husbands being too attached to their mothers! For those new to the term, an "annulment" is declaring a marriage null and void.

In the Gospel of St. Luke 16:18, Christ tells us that anyone who puts away his wife and marries another, commits adultery!

Unfortunately, the number of annulments from 1952 to 1956 number 359 worldwide. Following Vatican II in 1968, there were 450 in the US alone! In 1997, there were more than 73,000 annulments worldwide! This is outrageous!

Annulments have since Vatican II become the "Get Out of Marriage" Free Card. It's a travesty. 

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New Bishop Appointments: Garcia & Murry

The Most Rev. Richard J. Garcia has been installed the new Bishop of the Diocese of Monterey yesterday, January 30, 2007. His appointment was previously announced in December 2006. In his homily at the installation, Bishop Garcia said, "I dream of a diocese where we can pray together, can celebrate together, can open doors to new hopes and dreams, can accept all immigrants as God accepts us all, can reach out and love the victimized and those hurt by our church or its ministries ... and where we can see each child as a gift of God and end abortion." (Santa Cruz)

Also on Tuesday, the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown welcomed its fifth Bishop in its history: Bishop George V. Murry. He will be serving the diocese, which consists of 216,000 Catholics. Murry will be installed in Youngstown March 28. Bishop Murry said, ‘‘I am honored to accept the holy father’s appointment to serve as bishop of Youngstown, and I look forward to meeting and working with the priests, deacons, religious and laity of the diocese." (Tribune Chronicle)

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