Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Satan Never Looks Like Satan by Fr. George Rutler

Satan Never Looks Like Satan

From: The Catholic Education Resource Center.

By: Father George Rutler

God so loved the world that he spared us the indignity of making us feel good about ourselves. “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). If utopians indulge the dangerous sentimentality that thinks Satan is a mythic cipher to explain the problem of evil, Jesus does not. He knows the origin and character of Satan: “He was a murderer from the beginning. When he lies he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).

Satan hides behind the plural: he pretends to be more than he is, intimidating others by celebrity and popular support. “What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?” But in the presence of the Truth, even Satan cannot lie. He drops the plural and confesses what no mortal yet knew: “I know who you are — the Holy One of God!” (Mark 1:24). Our Creator knows more about the problem of evil than we do. Logically, if God did not exist, evil would not be a problem. It would be just an energy equivalent to good. In every age, those who have cooperated with Satan have solved the problem of evil to their satisfaction by saying that it is good. Many of these figures have had a seductive power over people that cannot be explained by simple human charm and persuasiveness.

Satan hates not being God. He is only a creature. His hatred refracts into a hatred of the Church, which is the only power against him in this world. He does not waste his time on false religions, heretics and braggarts. He hates the Sacrament of Reconciliation and tears down Confessionals because he wants to separate man from God. “Although Satan may act in the world out of hatred for God and his kingdom in Christ Jesus, and although his action may cause grave injuries — of a spiritual nature and, indirectly, even of a physical nature — to each man and to society, the action is permitted by divine providence which with strength and gentleness guides human and cosmic history” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #395).

Satan never looks like Satan. He drapes himself in celebrity and humor and humanitarianism, using celebrity to mislead, humor to mock, and humanitarianism to de-humanize. One hatred in him always exposes him for what he is. Because our Lord said that we must become like little children to inherit the Kingdom of heaven, Satan hates babies. With great wisdom, the older Rite for the Baptism of a Child begins: “I exorcise you, unclean spirit, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Come forth, depart from this servant of God, for He commands you, accursed and damned spirit, He who walked upon the sea and extended His right hand to Peter as he was sinking.”

http://www.courageouspriest.com/satan-satan

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Once a person wanders into “other territory” such as the occult, there is reason to worry because it welcomes demonic influence.

Texas bishop talks to young adults about exorcism, dangers of occult

By Hillary Senour

Bishop Daniel Flores

Related news:

Rome’s exorcist finding Bl. John Paul II effective against Satan

Bishop Daniel Flores of the Brownsville diocese addressed a crowd of over 100 young adults on the Church's view of exorcism, the dangers of the occult, and God's saving power.

“One of the reasons I chose the topic of exorcism is because I figured it was sure to draw a crowd,” he said during his opening remarks at the Nov. 21 Theology on Tap event in McAllen, Texas.

Bishop Flores explained that throughout history there has always been a fascination with the devil and evil but especially in recent years – given the popularity of demonic possession as a theme in many Hollywood productions.

Even though the world is increasingly less aware of God, the bishop said, there are many who “have no problem believing in the devil.” Yet despite this belief in evil, there are still many who attempt to “explain away” demonic possession as a mere psychological problem.

“How do we explain this kind of evil in the world or is it all medieval imagination?” he asked the young adults.

Bishop Flores explained Church’s scriptural basis of exorcism, citing St. Paul's letters and the Gospel of Mark. He also briefly explained the signs of demonic possession, and how potential cases are assessed.

Possession, the bishop revealed, is actually fairly rare. In his nearly 25 years as a priest, he said he's had plenty of people tell him they think they're possessed but has yet to encounter the need for an exorcism.

He focused on the more common, but less known, occurrence of “demonic obsession” which is oppressive harassment by demons outside of the person. He commonly sees demonic obsession in those who explore elements of the occult.

“Many times people go in thinking it's a game and then they realize its actually very serious.”

The serious threat of evil is why the Church and her members do not “play around” with the occult he explained.

Once a person wanders into “other territory” such as the occult, there is reason to worry because it welcomes demonic influence. However, while Christians participate in their faith they are in “God's territory” and under his protection.

Bishop Flores pointed out that the “devil's ultimate purpose is to drive an individual to give up and despair, a condition when one believes that they can’t be helped even by God.”

There is no need to fear the devil, he encouraged listeners, because “we believe in the triumph of God’s mercy by the blood of Christ on the cross.”

To combat despair and the influence of evil, he encouraged listeners to “live the sacraments,” cultivate a life of prayer, and have holy water and other holy objects in the home to help “keep you focused on living the life of grace.”

“It's urgent for us to live a grace-full life because it is only the power of God that is strong enough to protect us.”

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Condom Business... at the Expense of Morality and Family Life

The Church has been under attack. Satan in his unrelenting effort to destroy the Church is finding his way in families that composes the Mystical Body of Christ. Parents, and children most especially must be aware of the on-going battle of good versus evil. Every family must be equipped with the right information about the Catechism and Doctrine of the Church especially when it comes to the Spirituality of Family and Life.

Please read, understand and share with other families, communities, parishes, etc. the following:

1. There will be an advertising campaign for large condoms manufacturers to be launched very soon.

2. The advertisement will be in a form of animation and will be circulated mainly through the internet or even on television, radio, posters, magazines and newspapers.

3. The storylines are fun and witty, supposedly to attract young adults – high school and college students.

4. There will be names and characters referring to male sex organs who use condom.

5. There will be one “contravida” whose name also suggests a male sex organ but refuses to use condom.

6. One of the "witty" quotes from the animation is: Don't be like that “stupid” sex organ, who refuses to wear a condom.

7. Based on the other works done by this advertising company, many expect that this will be a very good animated advertisement from a creative point of view.

It is scary how this will influence people.

Read : http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/philippines_bishops_warn_against_govt._condom_campaign/

To quote:

According to the CBCP, the “condom business” is a multi-million dollar industry that targets adolescents “at the expense of morality and family life.”

Condom ads should be banned because they desensitize the consciences of youth and “weaken their moral fiber as future parents,” the Conference statement argued.

“We urge parents, professional associations, civil society, youth organizations, the government, and the mass media, to be vigilant and take positive steps in guarding the total health and welfare of our people, and to form families in real loving and responsible relationships,” the bishops’ statement concluded.

“Parents in particular should stand for their constitutional right to rear their children according to their values, and not allow any ideological, commercial, political or international strategic interest to stand in their way.”