Lots of talk about the devil these days, and chatter about exorcism movies and so on. It's unsettled me a bit, not because I don't give the devil his due, but, well... I wasn't sure why.
Then Fr. Jerry Pokorsky commented, in this little email exchange* (that included my husband):
From my point of view, a big yawner. Any investment opportunities? Sounds like a great growth stock. Steve Rossetti and the rest will certainly cash in on this one.
Here's what would not be "a yawner," he goes on to say: just imagine if you woke up to this news flash:
The American bishops are responding to Biden's promotion of abortion, gay grooming (à la Fr. James Martin, SJ), and genital mutilation (including at many hospitals, including of course children's hospitals, staffed by Catholic personnel) throughout the US Government. They plan scheduled eucharistic adoration, Catholic devotions, and “intense prayer" -- to give bishops the courage to excommunicate pro-abortion Catholic politicians and others complicit in these moral crimes. The USCCB is preparing a "Fortnight of Excommunication" program of prayer for the purpose.
*Quoted here with permission of course -- I would never share anything in an email from anyone without checking first. As Auntie Leila, I feel I need to make this clear.
Yes, I have noticed that there seems to be a lot of talk about demons lately. And certainly evidence suggests their activities. But I find the whole focus to be so misguided. Those of us given the incalculable treasure of baptism and confirmation have a level of protection that allows us not to go around in fear. I am feeling more and more that we need to be about our Father's business -- He will fight the demons as He always does, at the word of command by our dear Lord. It seems to me we should remind ourselves that we can push forward joyfully, worshipping God and loving our neighbor.
ReplyDeleteI'm so confused, but new to this blog, so I don't have much background or history ....Msgr. Rosetti isn't legit in his ministry? Is there more background you can provide?
ReplyDeleteForgot initials - ML
DeleteML -- please read the embedded link to Fr. P's First Things article.
DeleteThanks for saying this. I find that there is a huge emphasis on saying all kinds of deliverance prayers and the like among trad Catholic circles. It has always been a bit weird to me, and I was glad also when Fr. Pokorsky mentioned this in a recent homily (we go to his parish). Yes, pray the St. Michael prayer and certainly avoid temptation...but somehow all the extra "attention" unsettles me too.
ReplyDeleteYes. If the bishops were doing their duty in their prescribed areas, I would have more trust in this urgent message of theirs. As it is, it feels like one more thing to put on the laity without any self-examination, which is not how authority works!
DeleteI think it’s a at long last acknowledgement of just who we are fighting. We can have differences in opinions politically but it’s clear there are people embracing a demonic POV right now. They have attacked the family & fathers for decades, now the children are their targets. Doesn't have to be a large scale public event- there is an insidious poison in much of what used to be aimed at children- books, entertainment & education. I can’t ascribe such a concerted push to sexualize little children to anything other than demons.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. That's not exactly the point though...
DeleteIn the Lorica of St. Patrick it is clear that he is fighting directly against principalities and powers and so names them and (as a Bishop with authority over those powers,) so he commands them.
ReplyDeletePerhaps these principalities are becoming more visible in recent times and people wish to be armed for specific battle? I don't know, but it is important for the laity not to fall to the oldest temptation of thinking evil is something to know, which something is more interesting than good.
Also important: the laity mustn't get too big for our britches and go around nosing about and commanding where we have no authority. Fr. Ripperger explains the ins and outs of authority and how it works, and his "Deliverance Prayers for the Laity" might be the source for all the Trads
(Re:Nicole's comment above,)
praying these prayers. Still good to have on hand because they are designed for the layman to use without overstepping authority and therefore leaving himself open to blowback.
In any case the point remains. The obvious evils fail to excite action from our Bishops. Perhaps because they know there will be hell ( on earth) to pay.
Putting the burden on the laity to "do something" smacks to me of comfort on the part of authority.
DeleteFr. P often shakes his head over the myriad "fortnight of prayer" initiatives -- what are the bishops doing while the laity obediently recite all these prayers?
I am certainly not against prayer and adoration! It feels like these good things are being used to cover for a serious dereliction of duty, though. And if saying so makes me seem like I won't pray, then I will take the hit (but I will pray).