“Proclaim a War! Let the weak man say, ‘I am a warrior!’” (Joel 4:9-10)
St Michael by Luca Giordano
In these dark times we must contemplate and understand the spiritual battle we are facing. We must take a step back and ask ourselves, “What is happening to the world and to us?” The answer is that mankind is at the threshold of the greatest combat we have ever faced. The Church and the world are at crossroads. We are under siege! In the words of Pope Benedict XVI on February 17, 2013, “The time of testing is here!”
We must understand the struggle, the weapons, and the tactics of the enemy, but most importantly we must understand without a doubt that, “Our side outnumbers theirs” (2 Kings 6:16) lest humanity loses hope and everyone follows after the beast …yes even the elect if it were possible. (Mark 13:20)
St Michael
Remember God’s holy angels outnumber the fallen angels. Only, “A third of the stars,” (Rev. 12:4) were cast down to the earth. Two thirds of God’s holy angels remained faithful and are now standing by for us to engage them in the fight. Yes, in Book of Revelation, “Stars are angels.” (Rev. 1:20)
St. Thomas Aquinas says, “All have to wage spiritual combat with our invisible enemies.” We must enter the fray; none can stand by dispassionate or idle for, “The ‘spiritual battle’ of the Christians new life is inseparable from the battle of prayer.” (CCC 2725) All have to pick up spiritual weapons (Mass, the Word of God, Confession, Adoration, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Rosary, Divine Office etc) or accept to be taken captive by the red dragon (Rev.13:10), as there will be a time when the whole world will marvel at him (as when a whole country marveled at Hitler).
Dragon VS Angel by David De León Luis
“The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan…has come down to you in great fury, for he knows he has but a short time.” (Rev. 12:9,12) “Like a roaring lion, the devil is prowling around looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) If you are really one of God’s holy and mighty warriors you can feel the strain, the weight, the toll, the strife, the grapple, and most especially the free-for-all that the adversary is engaging us in, in our everyday tasks. Yes, the spiritual warfare has increased! For those who have eyes, the darkness is setting in as in the Lord of the Rings or as St. John Paul II stated on the anniversary of his shooting, “The evil that is spreading throughout the world and menacing the individual human being, the nations, and mankind as a whole… the whole range of menaces gathering like a dark cloud over mankind…” Oh if we could only blow the trumpet to warn the troops saying, “He has been released for a short time!” (Rev. 20:3) The vision of Pope Leo XIII is upon us!
St Michael and the Devil, Coventry Cathedral
If you are neutral or lukewarm and have not taken up arms, you will not feel the battle as the opponent knows you already belong to him. However when you least expect it, the rival will surround you, envelop you, and bind you as a prey to its victim. When the foe finally attacks those “on the fence,” you will be so surprised that you won’t know where to turn to in the confusion of his mighty attack. By then it will be too late to pick up weapons as you will not have the trust or the eyes to see that “our side outnumbers theirs.” (2 Kings 6:16) In a frightful panic you will think that your only way out is despair and thus believing all the accusations of the dragon for he is, “The accuser of our brothers and sisters.” (Rev. 12:10) You will lose all hope in God’s eternal Mercy because most of the time people “Live as they pray” (CCC 2725) and die as they lived.
Angels of the Apocalypse
If only our civilization would have the eyes of faith to see the fiery chariots (2 Kings 6: 17) around us – then we would not feel so alone in the battle. But this is what will make this generation so great and special. There are some who have eyes of faith to see the invisible reality. These soldiers must, “Proclaim a War!” (Joel 4:9) They must proclaim to the whole world, “Let the weak man say, ‘I am a warrior!’” (Joel 4:10)
Elisha and his servant
Remember what one Desert Father said, all generations have faced the red dragon tethered and tied down but those at the end of time will face him fully loosed over the face of the earth even if it is just for a short while. This is what will make us the greatest saints who have walked the face of the earth. Like the kings and queens that come out at the end of the chess game so we too are the special kings and queens that come out at the end to do battle with the dragon. Yes, we are small, feeble, and frail, but power is made perfect in weakness for when we are weak, God is strong or as St. Paul says, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor. 12:10)
If you still are incredulous about your calling in these perilous times, know that you also have a mother advocating, interceding, and fighting at your side, “But the power of Mary over all the devils will especially shine forth in the latter times, when Satan will lay his snares against her heel: that is to say, her humble slaves and her poor children, whom she will raise up to make war against him. They shall be little and poor in the world’s esteem, and abased before all like the heel is by the other members of the body. But in return for this they shall be rich in the grace of God, which Mary shall distribute to them abundantly.” (St. Louis Marie De Montfort)
Eowyn – LotR (New Line Cinema)
Know and trust that we are the generation of dragon slayers whether we realize it or not. Whether you believe it or not. You are God’s mightiest warriors! This is our true calling. As Joan of Arc said, “I was born for this!” You too were handpicked and chosen for this moment. You were born for this! The hands you see are hands of warriors! Accept to make the journey and be changed into mighty hobbits as in the Lord of the Rings. This is the Job generation that was found worthy of being tested. This generation is praiseworthy of facing off with the dragon toe to toe. David versus Goliath, “Blessed are your eyes, because they see.” (Mt. 13:16) Oh what all the saints would give to find themselves in this battle of battles!
1st of 7 Trumpets
What will it take? One day seeing the state of his country, St. Martin of Tours, a former Roman soldier whose father was in the famous Imperial Horse Guard, asked the Lord in tears, “What will it take to save my country?” “What will it take?” The Lord responded, “One saint!” And a saint he did become. What will it take to save our present world? One Saint! May that Saint be YOU! May the devil say of you what he said of St. John Vianney, “If there were two of him my kingdom would end!”
Trust and believe wholeheartedly that many souls are on the balance and are dependent on your sanctification. There are souls at stake so you must enter the battle trusting Jesus and Mary, “At the end of the world and indeed presently, because the Most High with His holy Mother has to form for Himself great saints who shall surpass most of the other saints in sanctity as much as the cedars of Lebanon outgrow the little shrubs.” (St. Louis Marie De Montfort) I know all this seems too much and overwhelming but it is who you are destined to be from the beginning of time and all creation: A saint of the end of times! God’s greatest warriors! He has saved the best!
Elijah and the Bread of Angels
Like Elijah we too must eat, “The bread of angels,” (Psalm 78:25) so that we will have the strength to continue to clash our swords and shields against these beasts. Yes, they will injure you with their fiery breath, jaws, fangs, claws, and talons, injecting a most poisonous venom called mortal sin that deadens and rots the soul for, “The sting of death is sin!” (1Cor.15:56) But remember the remedy – the Blood of the Lamb cleanses, heals, and ennobles the soul in Confession, and the Blood of the Lamb from the chalice strengthens and sanctifies us at Mass! Yes, “They conquered him (the dragon) by the Blood of the Lamb!” (Rev. 12:11) Only in this way will we not give up the fight and join the enemy. Remember the words of Jesus to St. Faustina, “All of heaven and earth is watching you. Fight like a knight!” [1760]
Choirs of Angels
This is the test of tests. This is the generation for whom the words of Jesus should echo in our hearts, “But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8) There may come a time when the dragon surrounds you and pins you down even though you have been a faithful warrior. At this point you may be tempted to lose faith and or even join him. When you find yourself arrested by the dragon with nowhere to run, you must not panic. Reach for “The Weapon” (Mary’s word’s to St Dominic when she gave him the rosary) and pray the Rosary…“The angel holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a heavy chain seized the dragon.” (Rev. 20:1) The key is the crucifix and the chain is the rosary beads. Each time you pray it, the angel shackles the dragon. This is how the Woman crushes the head of the serpent for she is the Queen of Angels and they are here to serve her.
How bad will the battle rage? Our catechism says, “Before Christ’s second coming the Church must pass through a final trial that will shake the faith of many believers.” (CCC 675) Ok I know I am weak, but if I stay the course will I make it? Jesus promises those who are faithful these words, “I know your works, behold I have left an open door before you which no one can close. You have limited strength, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name…I will keep you safe in the time of trial that is going to come to the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.” (Rev. 3:8-10)
Michael Cast Out Lucifer
I cannot repeat it enough times, “Our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness.” (Eph. 6:12) Keep these words in the back of your minds! “Amid so much darkness, let a shaft of light break through the heavy clouds!” (Pope Francis’ first homily) Open your eyes to the true reality! We represent all of humanity and every generation. Don’t hesitate to enter the fray! “Rouse the warriors to arms,” (Joel 4:4) choose sides, and know that, “Michael shall arise in the time of great distress.” (Dan. 12:1)
Statute of St Michael at the Vatican
Yes, you end times warrior, “Proclaim a war!” (Joel 4:9) “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.” (Isiaih 60:1-2) Your time has come! Let the people know we have entered the time of God, men, dragons, and angels and that “Our side outnumbers theirs!” (2 Kings 6:16)
What an amazing article. May God continue to bless Deacon Guadalupe and may he take my weak self as his humble servant and warrior. I’ll have to read this a couple of more times I believe to more fully appreciate it.
Pretty cool!
Is this a parody of D&D/comic book/teenage fantasies of self aggrandizement and war lust? Or was the author drunk when he wrote it?
This is certainly not parody.
Dear DanC,
I just saw this video and I found it interesting.
This is Scriptural at its very core.
Hi DanC
Why would a faith-less, ignorant retard like yourself, bother commenting on a religious article anyway? Why don’t you start a neat little “Darwin” blog somewhere else. He’s one of the greatest heroes of secular humanists (aka “fools”).
Just a bit of sage advice, Brother. Enjoy your day!
As the good Deacon mentioned throughout his article, there are only the remnant with eyes to see. Perhaps we should pray for Dan and others who are like minded so their eyes might open. Dan must have questions or at least be curious or else why would he have read this article?
Thank you for the fresh inspiration Deacon and shot of encouragement. I think at some level we are aware but your words have opened our eyes and quickened our hearts. They make me thirst for prayer and confession and mass and most of all eucharist. God Bless…
We have a duty to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in such a way that a person we disagree with would be opened to hear God’s love from us later even if they are not ready now. Are you doing that mud flap. We will all answer to God for how well we have loved.
Beautifully written.
Do you think it peculiar that I’ve been feeling too “feeble, and frail..” for the battle anymore? I know partly it is my age and physical weakness, but my spirit is listless too. The past 20 years have been brutal and worn me down and worn down in me the zeal and will to fight.
This article is very timely.
I feel the same way but never despair, never give up. We will be forgiven 7 times seventy times, basically every time we ask for it in true contrition of sin. Thank you Lord! When especially attacked, pray and take yourself and your tempters to the cross and worship the lord. They don’t like that and will again attack but keep doing that and go the confession etc. The sacrament of reconciliation breaks the sin bond!
“take yourself and your tempters to the cross and worship the lord…’
I love that concept.
“Let the weak man say, ‘I am a warrior!” Joel 4:10
It’s called “acedia” and I have it too. It strikes in mid-life, and is therefore called “the noonday devil.” Stay close to the sacraments, even if you feel dead inside. Trust, and keep on keeping on. We will eventually be delivered.
You know that saying, “75% of life is just showing up on time?” And another one, “The world is run by “C” students”? I think sometimes — not all the time– the spiritual life is like that too. Sometimes its heroic just to keep putting one foot in front of another, especially if you are dealing with depression. “All things work together for those who love The Lord.:
Great insights Adrian! Battle Fatigue! The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines “acedia” this way:
CCC 2733 “Another temptation, to which presumption opens the gate, is acedia. The spiritual writers understand by this a form of depression due to lax ascetical practice, decreasing vigilance, carelessness of heart. “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”21 The greater the height, the harder the fall. Painful as discouragement is, it is the reverse of presumption. The humble are not surprised by their distress; it leads them to trust more, to hold fast in constancy.”
How do I become relieved of a life-long mental scourge, Obsessive, Compulsive Disorder, which has already robbed me of so much life. I am sure this infirmity comes from Satan
I am presuming that you have no money to pay for a psychiatrist and all the tests they would want to make:
so;
If you are sure it’s from Satan, ask your parish priest / bishop to see an exorcist.
They may say you have to have to have a medical exam first. Tell them you have no money for that, and let the exorcist decide if you have a demonic problem or not, as he doesn’t cost anything.
If you’re lucky, they will make an appointment right away. If they don’t, just keep asking and make a nuisance of yourself until they do.
If the exorcist finds it’s not demonic, he may help you find medical help despite your lack of funds.
Meanwhile, read this: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/self-care-for-ocd/#.Xh3Qmy2cai5
If I had your problem, I would simply re-arrange my week so that I could sit in front of the Blessed Sacrament one hour a day (perhaps saying the rosary?) and ask Our Lord to heal you without all the other aggravation.
If you can’t find a place where there is scheduled Eucharistic adoration (ask you priest) then ask your parish priest for a key to the church so you can go be with Our Lord at a regular time. (Ask Our Lady first to incline him to answer your request.)
If he is unwilling, keep politely bothering him until he helps you one way or another.
That’s what I would do.
God Bless.
ps: It would be very good for you (and the church, and for the salvation of sinners who don’t pray) if you could substitute saying the rosary for the impulse to do other things you don’t want to. I don’t know, but it’s a thought. 🙂
Dear Geraldine,
I ran across this old posting, and am wondering how you are.
I personally think God accepts the endurance of your sufferings for the salvation of many whom you will not meet in this life.
As in the poem by Milton on his blindness, “They also serve who only stand and wait.”
(As when my old teachers told me to be patient when I had to endure something I had no power over, “Offer it up!)
God Bless you.
Bless you. Pray for me — I am busy arranging a family funeral now (in time of corvid) and am exhausted. On top of this, got news this morning that an old friend has lost his father and is distraught.
Never mind, God will not burden us more than we can bear.
We “keep on keeping on”.
THANK YOU for putting it ALL into words !!!
Quien A Dios tiene, nada la falta.
Thank you Deacon. AMDG
John
Dear Fr. John Francis,
Thank you for the wonderful comment in Spanish. Yes, we are blessed indeed!
we have to do it like the lord Jesus(1) renew baptism..go to confession(2)ask the father for Holy spirit to fast,pray, and abstain.(3)be ready with scripture to counteract the temptations of the evil one.
for Jesus said when the bridegroom is not present the we shod fast.this is the time now .for two popes have said we have the culture of death (whose bridegroom is….)
You are on target with this article. Ahead of stepping in, may I suggest doing a Marian Consecration? 33 Days to Morning Glory by Fr Michael Gaitley or Consecration to Mary by St Louis de Montefort are good ways to arm yourself and entrust yourself under Mother Mary’s protection. May God less your work, and our country.
Yes, you are correct in suggesting a Marian Consecration. I had written 3/4 of the article more than a year ago or so; however, it was only after the Consecration that I was able to finish it with Mary’s help. God Bless.
Karen, Amen sister. I did my 33 Days last fall and consecrated myself on Sept 15 – Our Lady of Sorrows. It was a completely decisive act and everything changed for me since then, with Mary firmly taking me under her mantle and into the battle.
AMEN! Thus was the best thing I have done to bind Satan and grow stronger as Mother Mary will crush his head! I still am weak but I fear not the coming persecutions and trials as Mary is tracing out a “luminous Pathway” for me to take. It was by my Total consecration that I gave her my “yes” and that is my “armour!”
This is just great…so glad to have found this wonderful holy servant of God, and his obviously inspired prose.
Onward Christian soldiers. Prayer, love and humility+the sacraments
…..And God’s word, the Holy Bible.
Amen.
Thank-you for excellent article and God Bless.
http://www.mostholyfamilymonastery.com/
Thank you Deacon for this article, before mass last night, my friend and I were discussing this battle. It is getting more intense and sometimes I feel the wrath of Satan. The more I pray and try to do God’s will the more attacks from the evil one. I can’t tell you how many times a day I say the prayer to ST. Michael. God Bless you Deacon.
Hello Deacon! Wow, you have really put it all together in this article. For me your words really help to put things in perspective and to spur me onward in the battle. Joanie and I are out on mission in Florida, about halfway across Nineveh. Keep up the good work! Blessings to you and yours!!! Dave Maroney
Thank you so very much. This is nothing that I didn’t already know but I, too,have been feeling so weak and worn. This article has renewed my spirit and reminded me of many things, all good. We are called and chosen for this time, any of us who are praying and understand the significance of the times we are in. Onward Christian soldiers!!! Thank you Lord for giving us just what we need for each day and thank you Deacon Rodriguez for listening to the Holy Spirit and writing this article. I feel so much better.
An amazing article. I finished my “33Days” last Fall, and then eventually because it wasn’t enough I started the Seven Sorrows Rosary before the Blessed Sacrament which I do on Tuesdays and Fridays. It seems like nothing had gone right since August, total attack, my friends and I say it it total warfare…. Everything has quieted down a little bit since the start of the “Seven Sorrows Rosary” . What a wonderful article. Thank You Deacon!
Excellent article, Deacon! As Our Lady’s Heel, we will be victorious over the Enemy.
Deacon, do you by chance follow ‘The Next Right Step”? ‘Cause you two are saying the same things! God bless you and all the warriors who follow this post!
I have not heard of ‘The Next Right Step,’ but will look him up. Blessings.
Wow, the words of a true saint…thank you
Very well put. Thank you. This needs to be preached in all the churches
Yes, this is how the message was first birthed…from the pulpit and later I put it in writing.
Outstanding!
Dear Fr. Ed, my wife was watching one of your CC videos and was very impressed. Keep up the great work!
Years ago I could feel this coming and the days and weeks have few by to get to this point. Now I have the feeling of preparing for something coming within a year from now it will start. After these 4 Blood moons next month they start.
I’m somewhat new to Christianity, having grown up in an agnostic family. With all respect, this post really freaks me out. I don’t understand all the “war” imagery and what I’m supposed to be doing. I thought I was supposed to be loving people, but now I’m totally confused. I admit to not knowing the Bible well, but apparently a LOT of Christians really like this. I wish I knew what was going on. My brother is mentally challenged and it really made me sad to see someone call someone else a “retard”, and two people actually liked it. I guess I just don’t get it….I’m sorry, no offense intended. But this frightens me.
Hi Kat,
I felt compelled to answer your comment. I am sorry that you feel freaked out. It is important to understand that there has always been a battle between good and evil. However, it is now, in no other time in the history of mankind has the battle been so intense. Satan has been given greater latitude by God to test the world. But have no fear, God is still in control and we place place our hope in Him, through Jesus and Mary.
We ARE meant to be loving people- you are absolutely correct there. I agree with you that calling others names is not in the least Christian or loving.
Right now, we are called to be the light to the world. We are the beacons that will guide the physically, emotionally AND spritually wounded back to Jesus through the Roman Catholic Church for healing and conversion through our day to day activities. We are to be the sign of hope to a world that has lost its bearings. It will be through his ‘little remnant’ that will Jesus rescue the world. Understand that Satan does not wish us to be the light and will do anything he can to prevent us. Hence the attacks we are facing externally and internally. We need to persevere using the armour we have been given (as described in the article).
Hope this helps. God bless you and your family.
Thank you, Lilly. That does help some. I think part of the freak out was the pictures on the post. They remind me of books I read as a little girl that gave me nightmares. I didn’t know dragons were in the Bible, but I guess he is trying to make a point. I do appreciate you taking the time to respond. My brother saw it and freaked out, too. But I am glad he doesn’t know the word “retard”. We don’t use that. God bless.
Proclaim a war! “I AM A WARRIOR!!”
Bind Satan with the Church approved Flame of Love Prayer, “Mother of God, spread the effect of grace of Thy Flame of Love over all of humanity, now and at the hour of our death. Amen!”
It really works, the devils attacks have subsided greatly.
Thank you so much for writing this. Since December I have been emotionally/spiritually battling temptation and despair more so than ever. It is good to know that going to confession, mass, rosary, consecration and the other weapons you mentioned are the key to dealing with it all. I just pray that I and others can get a handle on the feelings of overwhelm that surround all of us now and seem to distract us from the real mission of keeping the faith. Is there any other way in which we can prepare ourselves for what is yet to come? Thank you and God Bless you!!
The battle is ALREADY WON at the Cross, Gabrielle. We just have to BELIEVE it won, PROCLAIM it won, and LIVE it won! The divine RESURRECTED, SPIRIT and LIFE of our Lord JESUS Christ is flowing NOW from His immolated Heart, to you. BELIEVE! RECEIVE! and LIVE! From His Heart flows the Blood and Water which is His Mercy to the whole world even now. No matter what happens in your life entrust yourself to His Mercy. I would say that has been THE GAME CHANGER in my life. Trust in His Mercy and that he loves you more than your parents or anyone on this earth, and nothing can tear you from His hands. Even the greatest sinner has a right to heaven if he TRUSTS in His Mercy. This is why the Divine Mercy image says at the bottom. JESUS I TRUST IN YOU. Read the Diary of St. Faustina to learn more about His Mercy flowing to all of mankind and how to win the battle.
Thank you so much Deacon Guadalupe! I just recently started learning about and saying the Divine Mercy Chaplet. What you have written has meant so much to me. Thank you very much!! God Bless you!
I saw a dragon flying past me while i was asleep but semi conscious. He flew close above me and he was so close that i could see his heart between the scales. I wanted to pierce his heart with my sword in an effort to kill him but I did not have the strength and basically watched as the son of a b flew past me. After reading this blog post and mind you this is the first time I’ve stumbled upon your blog, I now understand what my mission is and what I came here to this plane to do. Thank you for writing this blog post, you’ve help to give me a new perspective. This truly is a spiritual battle that we who love the true GOD must fight. I will now pray each night that the BIG PAPI strengthen us provide us with the necessary weapons to fight this beast.
Dear Sister In Arms,
greetings. Sorry for the late reply. I hope you enjoy this new one:
http://atxcatholic.com/index.php/2017/09/angels-dragons-iii-st-michael-relic-stone/#.WayE47KGOUl
St Teresa of Avila had a sense of the future ” great Apostasy” and foresaw that that God would raise up many great saints to fight the Evil one at the time of tribulation– even though they are ordinary sinners, they would by faith, humility and sheer countercultural grit battle the degeneracy of their era. You encourage me to want to be one of these, whom she prayed for during her own lifetime . Thank you, Deacon Rodriguez, for sounding the battle trumpet in this prophetic 2-part article.
amen …