Vanquish the Enemy

"It is the image of God reflected in you that so enrages hell; it is this on which the demons hurl their mightiest weapons."

Anyone seeking to live a Christian life will discover that our adversary will quickly move from anonymity to bullying and intimidation. But we have been given a wonderful gift, as Catholics, in that we have at our disposal a means to counter whatever comes, Mary, the mother of God. She is charged with the task of ‘crushing the head of the serpent’ (Gen 3:15).

Protestant churches have been robbed of this knowledge and struggle on without this important heavenly help, perhaps not understanding why the Lord delegated in this way.

Fr Amorth, a prolific exorcist from Italy, noticed that whenever he invoked the name of Mary during an exorcism the person became more agitated and violent; having authority over the evil one, he questioned him about it.

He asked why he seemed more afraid at the name of Mary than the name of Jesus Christ: He replied that ‘I am more afraid when you say the Madonna’s name, because I am more humiliated by being beaten by a simple woman, than by Him..’ Her power over him is such :- “Because she always defeats me, because she was never compromised by any taint of sin!”

It’s analogous to a school bully who terrorises everyone and is then laid out cold by a punch from the smallest girl, in front of everyone. God makes his humiliation fitting to his pride.

When Fr Amorth questioned further it was revealed that ‘every hail Mary makes hell tremble’ and the most noteworthy point I think was that ‘if Christians knew the power of the Rosary, it would be the end of me!’

No wonder the greatest saints were champions of the Rosary; with this weapon we can protect ourselves and Our Lady can vanquish the enemy.

Time Square

A few days ago there was a prolife event in Times Square, New York where legislation against the unborn is currently at its most harsh.

There was the usual mix of speakers, abortion survivors and prolife advocates and a crowd of 20,000 supporters. A group of 2,000 pro-abortion supporters also attended to disrupt the event but they got more than they bargained for. One of the speakers prayed for the protesters; others who had had abortions themselves and had previously shared their views expressed their sorrow and regret.

Towards the close of proceedings, the former Planned Parenthood Director (turned pro-lifer) Abby Johnson was in the back of a van hooked-up to a 4D ultrasound machine scanning her new baby in her womb. The sleepy baby’s face, in great picture clarity, was beamed to large screens on the stage and the audience fell silent. 

After a few moments the technician doing the scan amplified the sounds coming from the womb, and a thunderous heart beat reverberated around the square. A more concise or eloquent testimony cannot be imagined.

All else was silent, even the pro-abortion protesters skulked away in defeat.

Recommended to Heaven

   

               

Years ago I heard a talk where it was suggested that we all adopt a saint. Someone to ‘have our backs’ and pray for us. A condition was added; that we should have something in common with them.

All the sweet ladies could pick St Therese of Lisieux, the clever might go for St Alphonsus, the reformed hell raisers St Augustine perhaps. What was disturbing was that I couldn’t find a saint who fit my profile; surely heaven must have one nutter !

I eventually landed with a different idea. I’d hitch my wagon to the holy souls. Whilst not being the brightest stars in the sky they were on their way, their course was set, they had decided for God and were little by little headed in the right direction. I would pray for them and when they arrive in heaven they can pray for me.

No one goes to heaven alone, we must be recommended, and it can only be those whom we have helped get there first.